Consequential Conception: A Collection of Perspectives on Reproductive Justice

By Be Reframed

Consequential Conception

A Collection of Perspectives on Reproductive Justice

 

Ever wonder what our society would be like once the protests are done and abortions have been legally banished?

 

In this time of Consequential Conception, these short stories allow you to join 3 men as they journey through their evolving roles in this new world.  Mr. Jones clashes against the policies of shared consequences in "All's Fair."  A Supreme Court Judge struggles with a more logical approach to contraception in "Justice for All."  And, young Charlie confronts his fate from a state-run adoption facility in "All or Nothing."

 

Despite their differences, they will all realize that having a Y chromosome will not protect them from the consequences of unwanted pregnancies.

 

A gut punch.  A brain punch.  And a heart punch.  In one collection.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Be Reframed LLC
• Release date: Apr 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781737861607

Be Reframed

I am a Teacher by birth - and, in turn, have made a career out of my calling.  I have spent the past 20+ years teaching Math and Science - which has only honed my analytical side.  But, my humanity has been shaped by the at-risk youth I have taught for the past 18 years.  By working with families from the Foster Care System and the Department of Juvenile Justice, I have seen and experienced the best and the worst of humanity.  I am a civil servant, a keen observer, and an activist.  I have worked within the system, and have made efforts to change the beliefs, ideas, and institutions that are failing our society. Creating the Be Reframed LLC is a continuation of my life’s work to try to improve the world around me by encouraging the examination of problems from a fresh perspective.  This examination is sure to cause discomfort for some - and possibly strong emotions from others - but is necessary nonetheless.

Book preview

All’s Fair

All’s Fair

She squeezed my sweaty hand, reminding me how uncomfortable this situation was.  We barely knew each other.  But, six weeks ago, at one of the biggest parties on campus, we slept together.

In my drunken fog, I hadn’t even remembered giving her my number.  Imagine my surprise when I got her text. 

"I think I’m pregnant. We need to talk."

I never should’ve responded.  Then, I wouldn’t have stupidly offered to drive her to this horrid clinic on the outskirts of town.

I had skimmed every magazine in the waiting room while she was in her exam.  She had been clenching my hand since she returned - making it super awkward to grab my phone out of my pocket and pretend I was somewhere else.

What was I supposed to say to her?

I didn’t even know her last name.

And, how was I supposed to know she could get pregnant the first time she had sex?  All they taught us in school was abstinence.

I certainly wasn’t going to share with her that I had voted on the universal ban on abortions a few years back.  I had no idea that they’d ban home pregnancy tests, too.

I leaned my head back to pray.  Again.  Maybe she wasn’t pregnant, after all.

She squeezed my hand for the hundredth time.  My eyes popped open.  She shot me a nervous smile.  I smiled back.

It’s going to be OK.  I couldn’t even pretend to be convincing.

My only relief arrived when they called her for the second time. 

Time for the results.  Her voice trembled.

Do you want me to go back there with you?  Please, say ‘NO.’

It’s fine.  I’ll be back in a few minutes.  She sucked in a deep breath and disappeared behind the doors.

Thank God!

I thought about texting my best friend for some sympathy.  Then, thought better of it.  I really didn’t need him teasing me for getting some random girl pregnant.  Besides, he’d probably convince me to just ditch her here.

I didn’t bother to check the clock when she left the waiting area, but she had to have been gone at least 30 minutes by now.  What the hell could be taking so long?

A guy in a lab coat approached me from a different door.  Mr. Jones?

Yeah.

Please come with me.

Why?

He didn’t answer.  He just held the door and motioned me through it.  CRAP!  She’s probably back there crying and making a scene.  I knew driving her here was going to be a mistake.

He led me down a long hall and into an exam room.

It was empty.  Where is she?

Your girlfriend made other arrangements to get home.  He closed the door behind him.

She’s not my girlfriend.  I scowled at his assumption.  And, why would she leave?  She knew I was waiting for her.

Well, he consulted the folder in his hand.  Her part of the exam is over.  Your part, however, is just beginning.

My part?

Yes, we will begin with a blood test, and then, go from there.

Why would you need MY blood?

First, we have to verify paternity.

So, she’s pregnant?

Yes, she is pregnant.

DAMMIT!  Wait!  I don’t understand.  What difference does it make if it’s mine?

He stopped gathering supplies to consider my question.  You don’t follow the news, do you?

No, I don’t have time for that stuff.

Well, have you heard of the Shared-Consequences Act that Congress just passed?

I shook my head, No.

Then, I think you’re going to want to sit down for this.  He pointed toward the exam table.

Look, I waved him off, if you’re trying to pressure me into marrying that girl, it’s not going to happen.  I barely know her.

"Take it easy, Mr. Jones.  I have no desire to pressure you into marrying anyone.  And, according to that girl’s chart, she has no interest in marrying you, either."

Good, it’s settled.  I’ll show myself out.  I turned toward the door.

Not so fast, Mr. Jones.  The fact that the woman you may have gotten pregnant does not want to marry you, isn’t necessarily a good thing...for you.

What the hell are you talking about?

Your ‘not-girlfriend’ doesn’t want her baby.

So?  I don’t want that thing either!  There was no way I was going on the hook for some chick’s baby.  She can’t get rid of it, I know that much.  It’s against the law.  And, I know she can’t force me to raise it.

"No, you’re right.  She cannot terminate her pregnancy.  Nor, can she force you to take care of a child that may be yours."

Good.  I shook my head.  She can give it up for adoption after it’s born, if she wants.

I’m glad you’re not contesting that.  He wrote a quick note in the folder.

I still don’t understand what any of this has to do with me?

We need to complete a blood paternity test.

My voice grew louder.  What difference does it make if I’m the...if it’s mine?

As the father of an unwanted fetus, you will be required to undergo simulated pregnancy for the next 9 months, according to the provisions of the newly passed Shared-Consequences Act.  He pointed to a poster on the wall with words too small to read.

I waited for him to smile.  That’s hilarious, Bro.  I walked to the door.  I’m outta here.  The handle clicked in my hand, but the door wouldn’t budge.  I looked back at him. 

He still wasn’t laughing.

Dude, let me outta here!  My palms started to sweat as I jerked at the door handle.  What the hell was this place?

Mr. Jones, I assure you, this is no joke.  As of last week, we are required to enforce the Act under penalty of law.  He pulled a small binder off the shelf and handed it to me.  You are going to want to read this, as I will need you to sign the contract on the last page before you leave today.

I threw the binder onto the exam table.  You can’t keep me here!  I put all my strength into trying to pry the handle loose.

Mr. Jones, please calm down.  He retrieved the binder.  On the other side of that locked door, there are two Security Officers who will escort you directly to a Federal Holding Facility, if you do not comply.  Please, he handed me the binder again, do not force me to call them in.

His pity reeked.

I snatched the binder.

You will find everything you need to know in that Paternal Instruction Manual.  I suggest you read it thoroughly.  He stepped around me and used an electronic key to open the door.  The shoulders of two hefty men blocked the opening.  I will send a Tech in momentarily to take your blood.

I pulled out my phone but didn’t know who to call.  This can’t be real?  I looked at the cover of the binder and typed ‘Shared-Consequences Act’ into my phone.

Article after article popped up.  NO!  I slid down the wall and hit the floor before my vertigo swallowed me.

Hey.  A guy in blue scrubs was standing over me.

I looked up at him.  He had the same look of pity on his face.  Only this guy was much younger than the last.  He was probably my age, at best.

I’m going to need you to hop up on the table, Mr. Jones, so I can take some blood.

I laughed at him calling me Mr.

He rolled a tray full of instruments over to the exam table.

Mr. Jones? he repeated, after I didn’t move.

Do you know why I’m locked in here?

His eyes darted to the manual, and then, back at me.  He nodded, Yes.

It’s some sort of sick joke, right?

If it is, the government just wasted a week of our lives training us on it.  He scoffed.  Have you read your manual yet?

I could’ve punched