Requiem for Moses (38 page)

Silence.

“Barbara,” he said finally, “the next logical item of business is what you want to do about this. You’re early in the first trimester—”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I think you know as well as I …” The unfinished sentence hung in the air. He didn’t use the “A” word.

“I suppose,” she said, “you’re suggesting an abortion.”

“I’m not suggesting anything. What you do about this is up to you.”

She stood and began to pace. “I don’t know …. I just don’t know ….”

“That surprises me.”

“You thought I’d jump at an abortion.”

“It’s early enough so there would be comparatively little danger. I doubt that you have any moral or religious reservations about it. And since you haven’t changed your mind, I assume you want neither a pregnancy nor a child. So …”

“So?”

“Why the hesitation?”

“I’ve got to think about it. I need more time. I’ve been thinking about it practically constantly ever since that missed period. But”—she shook her head—“now that I know for sure … well, this is a bigger decision for me than you imagine. There are too many complications. I need more time.”

“Well, don’t take too long. Either we have to end this pregnancy soon, or we begin preparing you to be a mother.”