Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Cup and Saucer (08/28/14)
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TITLE: Hey, Pretty Baby! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jenni Starkman
09/03/14 -
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The booths and barstools that were empty just minutes ago were now full with drenched, chattering patrons.
Oh, yes, there is a god, Mandy thought. Grinning, she snatched an armful of menus and sashayed over to them. It had been slow all afternoon and tips had been measly. At the rate things had been going, she wouldn’t make enough to pay the repair bill for her clunker. She had till Friday to come up with the cash. She needed the car to leave town and her now ex-boyfriend, Scott.
Mandy did the math in her head. Three days. Three hundred bucks. Tips averaging $60 a day. So far she had $153.
An impossible goal working in this dinky dive, she realized.
And now there’s this little matter of her pregnancy. What would she do about that? The abortion center assured Mandy that federal money would cover the abortion so that wouldn’t be a factor. It would only be a problem if she decided to have the baby.
Have a baby? This should be a no-brainer. Like she really needed more bills and complications in her life. Mandy could barely feed herself, and she didn’t even want the baby’s father in her life anymore. She found out he was nothing but a cheatin’ loser. She was well rid of him.
She could go home; Mom would be thrilled. Nah.
Mandy was always destined for great things. Everyone told her she was. This was just a temporary job, until she was discovered for her true calling in life—acting. She was only eighteen, and had her whole life ahead of her. All she needed to do is get to Hollywood where they would recognize her talent.
She reaffirmed her decision. Make the money, get the car fixed, have the abortion, start life anew in California. So she put on her work-façade: a pretty smile, good attitude, a flirtatious wink, the right comments; they could bring in the tips now that the place was crowded.
Mandy worked the tables effectually—until she came to the table in the far back corner, that is.
The baby had blond, orphan Annie curls, huge blue eyes, chipmunk cheeks, pouty pink lips, and drooling mouth with six teeth. She was sitting in a highchair banging her plastic Hello Kitty cup and saucer together and squealing in delight. Adoring mom and grandma were seated on opposite sides of the eighteen-month old.
“Hey, pretty baby, what’s your name” Mandy cooed, tickling he baby’s cheek.
“It’s Mercy Grace.”
“That’s unusual. I’ve never heard a baby named that before. Uh… but I like it.” Mandy hedged, bit her lip and cringed.
Smart. How not to get a tip. Insult the kid’s name.
“She’s our miracle baby. It’s a long story, but it’s really a miracle she is alive, and it’s only by God’s grace that she is.”
Mandy raised her eyebrows. “Really? May I ask what she survived?”
“She survived an abortion. Her mother planned to abort her at four months along, but at the very last minute, when she was already at the clinic, and on the table, she changed her mind. The abortion clinic wasn’t very happy about it either. They tried their best to convince her to do it.”
The baby’s mother opened a package of wafers and handed one to Mercy Grace, continuing. “But her mother decided to put her up for adoption instead. Isn’t that wonderful? And we are the fortunate recipients who adopted her.”
Mandy’s face paled.
“Are you alright, Miss?”
“I think I just need some air. I’ll be back…” Mandy fled for the kitchen and splashed cold water on her face. Somehow she managed to pull herself together and go back and take the order for Mercy Grace’s table.
After they left, Mandy found a note along with their tip: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.’ Jeremiah 1:5. Each child is a gift from God. He has a purpose for each life. Trust God and he will provide the way for you and your baby, too. Rebecca
I guess it must have been pretty obvious I was pregnant and planning to abort by my reaction to her baby, thought Mandy. But now….
Seven months later Mandy gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Jeremiah John, and she’s raising him with her mother’s help.
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I loved how you tied in the scripture.
God bless~
This is one my favorites this week. Good writing.