Choices
1179 Words
Ava and Jordan’s Home, Los Angeles
March 15th, 2023 — 7:21 AM
My eyes snapped open just in time for me to bolt upright and sprint to the bathroom, barely making it before vomiting violently into the toilet bowl. My stomach heaved painfully, tears pricking my eyes as I knelt there, trembling and dizzy.
A dreadful realization settled into my bones. My mind raced back three weeks, first to the night with Austin, then the very next night with Jordan. Panic twisted in my gut.
“No, no, no,” I whispered, shaking my head, voice hoarse from sickness and fear.
I quickly rinsed my mouth, brushed my teeth, and threw on sweatpants, grabbing my keys off the dresser. My heart pounded fiercely, nerves raw, anxiety clawing at my throat as I drove hurriedly to the nearest pharmacy.
RiteChoice Pharmacy, Los Angeles
7:55 AM
Hands trembling, I stared at the array of pregnancy tests. I grabbed one pink-dye test and a digital one, feeling paranoia creep down my spine as I paid the cashier, avoiding eye contact as she handed me the bag.
“Good luck,” she said softly, eyes warm with empathy.
I offered a weak smile, my mouth dry. “Thanks.”
Ava and Jordan’s Home, Los Angeles — Master Bathroom
8:32 AM
Alone in our bathroom, the house silent except for the faint sound of the air conditioning humming, I nervously paced, waiting for the first pink-dye test results.
I barely had time to breathe when a harsh, undeniable pink line appeared beneath the "T" section. Positive instantly. My heart dropped, cold dread washing over me.
“No, it can't—” I murmured, desperation pushing me into frantic denial.
I quickly ripped open the digital test, my shaking fingers barely functioning. After another painful wait, the tiny screen flashed cruelly back at me:
Pregnant, 3–4 Weeks
I sank to the bathroom floor, sobbing uncontrollably, the full weight of my actions crashing over me. My dog, Rocco, nudged the door open softly, padding gently toward me, his worried eyes searching mine. Bella, our tabby cat, followed close behind, both animals pressing warmly against me, sensing my distress.
“Oh my God,” I choked through tears, hugging them tightly. “What have I done?”
Ava and Jordan’s Home — Kitchen
9:15 AM
I found Jordan quietly sipping coffee, reading emails on his phone, oblivious to the storm brewing inside me.
“Jordan,” I began hesitantly, voice cracking.
He looked up, instantly concerned. “Ava? What’s wrong?”
Swallowing hard, I sat opposite him, forcing the words out. “Jordan, I’m pregnant.”
He froze, his expression unreadable for several tense seconds before setting his phone aside carefully. “Pregnant? Are you sure?”
I nodded weakly. “Two tests. Both positive.”
Jordan inhaled deeply, running his hand slowly down his face, absorbing the news. He reached out, gently taking my hand. “Ava, you know we never wanted kids. But maybe…this is God’s plan. Either way, you don’t have to do this alone. I’m here, no matter what you decide.”
My eyes burned with fresh tears, overwhelmed by guilt and relief at his unexpected kindness. “Jordan…I can’t. I can't have this baby.”
He sighed softly, nodding slowly, understanding settling in his eyes. “Okay. If that’s your choice, Ava, then I support you completely.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, voice shaking. “I mean, Jordan, what if—”
He squeezed my hand reassuringly, cutting me off gently. “I’m sure. Your body, your choice. I'll stand by you, no matter what.”
Gratitude flooded me, alongside fresh shame. “Thank you,” I whispered, voice raw with emotion.
“Do you need me to drive you?” Jordan asked gently. “I’ll take you anywhere.”
“No,” I replied quickly, my mind already racing elsewhere. “I’ll have one of the girls go with me. I think I need them right now.”
He nodded understandingly. “Okay. Just tell me when, and I'll be here.”
I kissed him softly on the forehead, my heart breaking under the weight of his kindness. “Thank you, Jordan. Truly.”
Ava’s Car, Driving through Los Angeles
10:04 AM
My hands trembled violently as I gripped the steering wheel, pulling off onto a quiet side street. I couldn’t face this alone, I had to tell Austin. This wasn’t a secret I could bury, no matter how much easier it might seem.
I dialed Austin’s number, my breath ragged, anxiety spiraling as it rang.
“Ava?” Austin’s deep, familiar voice answered cautiously, concern evident immediately. “Is everything okay?”
Tears spilled again, my voice barely above a whisper, “Austin, we need to talk. It’s important. Really important.”
Silence filled the line briefly before he replied softly, cautiously, “Alright. I'm here. What's going on?”
I took a shaky breath, preparing myself to shatter both of our worlds.
The Lake View Hotel Los Angeles, Penthouse Suite 161
Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 — 5:10 AM
“b***h!” Keisha gasped loudly, hand dramatically pressed against her chest. “Pregnant? Ava, oh my God. What the hell did Austin say?”
Toni leaned forward eagerly, eyes wide. “Forget Austin for a second, did you even know whose it was?”
“No,” I admitted softly, shame burning my cheeks. “That’s why I was terrified. I had no idea who the father was.”
Latrixa rolled her eyes. “Well, I could’ve told your ass this would happen. You were playing with more than fire, Ava. You were playing Russian roulette with your life.”
Nia reached over, squeezing my hand gently, her voice warm with compassion. “But Ava, what did Austin say when you told him?”
I sighed deeply, voice shaking. “That conversation wasn’t easy. But before I tell y’all that, you have to understand something this pregnancy scared me to death. Jordan and I never wanted kids, but Austin…Austin having a child with someone else broke me. I felt selfish, confused. I didn’t know what to do.”
Camille nodded gently, understanding and wisdom in her eyes. “So you decided to have an abortion?”
“Yes,” I whispered quietly, eyes downcast. “I knew it was the right choice, but telling Austin was another nightmare entirely.”
Keisha shook her head slowly. “Pregnant by two men at the same time.”
“I know. Trust me, I know.”
Toni leaned closer, eyebrows raised dramatically. “So what happened next, Ava? You call Austin, drop this bomb on him then what?”
The women leaned forward, champagne forgotten, completely absorbed.
My heart beat painfully, reliving that terrifying moment, the hardest conversation of my life about to spill from my lips.
“That’s exactly what happened,” I finally said softly. “But let’s just say the bomb I dropped on Austin…was nothing compared to the one he dropped on me.”
- Writer
