The Choice by Robert Whitlow

Spanish poet.
    â€œI’m so glad Angelica has joined us,” said the teacher when Angelica finished. “Her accent and pronunciation are so much better than mine. It’s what you’d hear from a well-educated Spanish-speaking person.”
    After sixth period, Sandy asked Angelica if she could give her a ride home. The girl shook her head and pointed to her stomach.
    â€œThe father, he come for me.”
    They walked outside the building together. Parked next to the curb was a shiny blue Buick. A good-looking Hispanic man in his midtwenties and wearing a dark suit got out and called out sharply to Angelica. She gave Sandy a final hug and walked quickly over to the car. The man spoke in a harsh voice, but Sandy couldn’t make out what he said. Angelica got in the car and left. Sandy had a sinking feeling that behind Angelica’s infectious smile there might be a mountain of sorrow.
    After supper, Sandy called home to report on her first day. Angelica’s presence had totally changed her attitude toward the school.
    â€œYou almost sound excited,” her mother said when Sandy paused.
    â€œI know,” Sandy replied. “It’s like I’ve found something I’m supposed to do.”
    â€œYou mean become a translator? I know you’re good in Spanish, but I thought you wanted to study interior decorating.”
    â€œI’m not thinking that far ahead. I meant here at the school. I can help Angelica until her English improves. She’s very smart.”
    Sandy’s father was attending an executive board meeting for the Rotary Club and wasn’t at home.
    â€œTell Daddy I kept to myself at school, except for Angelica, and nobody bothered me. It helped a bunch having someone to sit with in the cafeteria.”
    â€œHow was the food today?”
    â€œYucky, but I’m eating healthy with Linda. She read a book about nutrition for expectant mothers and bought some extra groceries.”
    â€œIs she cooking?” her mother asked in surprise.
    â€œWe do it together. She says I need to learn how to live on my own.”
    â€œOkay, obey her without arguing,” her mother said.
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    After the phone call ended, Sandy went into the study. Linda handed Sandy a stack of papers.
    â€œThis is a copy of the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade . Read sections one through four. It’s background stuff. Don’t take notes. I’m going to ask you questions about it tomorrow afternoon when I get home from work.”
    â€œIf you’re going to ask questions, why can’t I take notes?”
    â€œBecause I want you to remember what you read without a crutch.”
    â€œMay I read it more than once?”
    â€œAbsolutely.”
    That night Sandy propped up in bed and read the first four sections of the case. Justice Blackmun went into great detail about whether a married woman who wasn’t pregnant and a doctor who wanted to perform abortions should be parties to the lawsuit. While Sandy was hacking her way through the dense verbiage, Lillo came into the room meowing. Sandy put the cat in the bed and stroked her soft fur. The abortion case originated in Dallas. When she saw the word Texas , Sandy thought about Brad and wondered if the father of the pregnant woman in the lawsuit was the reason the plaintiff wanted the abortion. After the third reading, Sandy felt she was beginning to get a fairly good grasp of the material. It made her wonder if she had what it took to become a lawyer. She yawned and carried Lillo into the laundry room. Peaches was already curled up in the cat bed.
    The following day Angelica didn’t show up in homeroom. When the minute hand crept up to the time for first period, Sandy started getting worried. Although she’d only seen him for a few seconds, Angelica’s boyfriend didn’t look like a good guy. Sandy went to chemistry class but had trouble concentrating on Mrs.