Misconstrued Conceptions

“So, how are you feeling?” Stacey asked.

“Okay I guess,” replied a very nervous Jessica.

“Are you sure you’re gonna be able to go through with it?”

“Yeah, I think so…” Jess said. “I’m really scared though.”

“I know. It’s never easy. It’s a scary situation so I don’t blame you for being afraid.”

Jessica looked down at the floor, “It’s just so overwhelming! What will other people think of me?”

“It doesn’t matter. You’re doing the right thing. This is what you want. Your parents will be proud of you for making the right decision and not doing what everyone else is doing.”

“You think so?” Jess inquired. “Wouldn’t it be better to just get it over with and never tell them about it? To just pretend like it never happened?”

Stacey shook her head, “No way! They’re going to find out anyway. They know when something is going on. You should call them.”

Stacey smiled and hugged her friend reassuringly from the side, “Pray about it. The Lord will give you strength. And you know that I will always love you no matter what.”

With tears in her eyes, Jessica looked back up at her friend and gave her a wobbly smile, “Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I’m gonna call them.” Jessica picked up her bag and began searching for her cell phone. Once she found it she punched in her home number and waited for her parents to pick up.

“You’re doing the right thing Jessica,” whispered Stacey to her friend as she put her left arm around her. “I’m so proud of you!”

Jess looked a little doubtful as she smiled back at Stacey, “I know. I just hope they will understand. Please pray the Lord will speak to them ahead of me, that they will have the grace to help me through this.”

“Of course I will! I already have-”

Stacey was interrupted as she heard Jessica’s mother pick up.

“Hello, this is Amy Fringe. May I ask who’s speaking?”

“Hi Mom, it’s me, Jessica.”

“Jessica! Hi! How’s it going? You having fun at Stacey’s?”

Jess looked at Stacey as she said, “Yeah, Mom, we’re having a good time, thank you.”

Stacey whispered, “Come on, Jess, you can do it!”

“What’s going on, Jess? Is there something wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong exactly, well… not really. I mean,” Jess sighed. “What I’m trying to say is that I need to tell you something.”

Jessica’s Mom was a little hesitant, “Okay… what is it?”

Stacey squeezed her friend’s hand as Jessica replied, “Mom, I’m pregnant.”