An Unplanned Visit | Teen Ink

An Unplanned Visit MAG

January 29, 2009
By Kirtley Righi BRONZE, Brattleboro, Vermont
Kirtley Righi BRONZE, Brattleboro, Vermont
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

The girl across the room appears to be 18 or so. Smacking and popping her gum, she sits cross-legged with her fluorescent pink toenails peeking out from the cuffs of her jeans. The tapping of her pen against the clipboard is an incoherent Morse code, competing for attention with the radio mumbling into the waiting room from the front office. She glances up to find my eyes glued on her restless foot.

I look away and gaze into a sea of brochures on the coffee table. Dozens of faces peer back from the covers of these pamphlets. Some are solemn and unsure; others are confident and relieved. The headings vary: HIV Testing, Unexpected Pregnancies, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Adoption. Brochure racks crowd every inch of wall space, and posters of all sizes create a quilt of information. Contact cards of counselors and support groups swarm the bulletin boards like minnows to bait. On the coffee table is a small notice that reads, “For the confidentiality of those around you, we do not allow cell phone conversations.”

After a brief appointment, my friend Ellen emerges from the hallway twirling her purse, rattling with keys and coins. She strolls up to the front desk, relaxed and poised. “We just discussed switching my birth control. Will my insurance cover that?” I’m impressed, yet somewhat mystified by Ellen. Not once does her voice trail off or fade as it often does when she is uncomfortable.

Her assurance cascades over me like a wave, stripping my confidence and ease. Instantly, I label myself as Ellen’s shadow. I had followed humbly and willingly to her appointment without my own agenda, issues, or concerns. Suddenly, I feel very naive. A pang of guilt erupts in my conscience. Here I am, lounging in a women’s clinic without a care in the world, while others arrive with real troubles tugging at their sleeves. My heart isn’t lodged in my throat and there are no anxious flurries tingling my limbs. I’m not changing my birth control method, reporting sexual abuse, or getting tested for HIV. I’m not scheduled for an appointment to see if another human being is growing inside me. Instead of carrying my own burdens, I’m a tagalong.

I remain seated in one of the armchairs. With cozy furniture, dainty floral window treatments, and a small wooden box with worn toys and classic children’s books, the room has a comfortable homey feeling. Ellen sinks into the chair next to me. “I have to wait a few minutes so they can square away the insurance,” she says.

I nod and pick up one of the brochures – Unexpected Pregnancies. The girl’s face on the cover, as ex­pected, is surprised, confused. She might fool some into believing she knows what it feels like to have a swelling belly or to have missed periods or tests that confirm pregnancy. But she is just a model, chosen from an array of hopefuls because she had a certain quality, I guess, that screamed “teenage mother.” But she is a trite, stereotypical representation of one. I find it almost belittling. Then again, I have no more of a right to be here than she does.

My thoughts are suddenly reeled back by Ellen’s voice. “You don’t know how many times I’ve been here and girls have been sitting in these chairs, bawling,” she comments without looking up from her magazine.

“Did you recognize any of them?”

“Yeah. I mean, I didn’t know any of them personally, but I’ve seen some girls I’d never expect to come here.”

“Well, I guess you never know. Girls on all ends of the spectrum have sex,” I say.

“True. Did you check out the condoms over there? It’s a great way to get kids to use ’em.” The condoms are brightly colored and covered with kaleidoscope patterns. They are definitely catering to younger generations, but kids?

Some adolescents have sex, I’m well aware, but I’m caught off guard when Ellen refers to them as “kids.” Kids have sex. Kids contract diseases. Kids have kids. Girls of all ages have left this room, their consciences bloated with emotions after hearing that they were suddenly providing for two. Meanwhile, I’ll walk out with thoughts as blithe as they were when I first climbed those stairs to this building. They leave with uncertainty clenched around their core; I leave unconcerned. They wonder if their mom and dad will hold them close and whisper reassuring words or if they’ll be kicked out and forced to fend for themselves. I’ll slide into my car, relaxed. I’ll return to my guaranteed home. The comfortable decor in the room now makes sense. It provides a web of support and understanding to catch girls who don’t receive a cushiony landing at home. I don’t have to worry about my landing. I’m not falling.

My whole life I’ve seen young women pushing strollers, buying diapers, or toting pregnant bellies. I’ve seen how society’s unfavorable eye pokes and prods into the personal lives of young mothers, offering criticism instead of empathy.

Yet, a faint voice inside murmurs that I’m the one who’s meddlesome. I’m just another intruder. Despite my innocent intentions, I’m tagging along into one of their few sanctuaries, this rare haven that rejects all judgment at the door. The girl sitting across the room and I can peer out the same window, but we won’t see the same thing. Ellen and I won’t see the same thing, either. No two people will. The window pane offers an unchanging view, but one’s individual experiences provide a unique lens through which we see the outside world. She might see a society riddled with intolerance; I’ll shrug and indifferently observe my hometown.

Ellen suddenly nudges my arm and my mind snaps back to the waiting room. She sets the magazine back on the table and says we can go. As we grab our bags, a middle-aged woman enters the room. “We’re ready to see you,” she says with a tender smile. My waiting room companion eases out of her chair and with one hand gently holds her lower abdomen, which was concealed when she sat. A considerable roundness is now visible. She clutches her purse and follows the woman. The smacking of her gum fades as she disappears down the hall.



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This article has 21 comments.


on Nov. 1 2012 at 12:05 am
isimplywish BRONZE, Christchurch, Other
2 articles 0 photos 19 comments
wow this is such a brilliantly written piece! so true and so inspiring :)

on Apr. 13 2011 at 4:50 pm
ohmakemeover BRONZE, Centerville, Minnesota
3 articles 0 photos 98 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Touch comes before sight, before speech. It is the first language and the last, and it always tells the truth."- Margaret Atwood

I often feel the same way!  I have a very wonderful life with very little personal issues, but I am an activist for women's rights and safety.  I sometimes feel like a hypocrite because I am a priviliged" person.  But since you feel for other people, you are a good ally to have.  Also, this was really well-written.  Deserves a spot in the magazine for sure!

on Jun. 30 2010 at 6:11 pm
cassidyasalways BRONZE, El Paso, Texas
1 article 0 photos 7 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Be the best that you can be, and that will always be good enough"

wow, it is interesting to hear you take on this. Most often you hear the pregnant side, but hearing the side of the unknown is interesting. I haven't ever gotten close but I do think about it close to the same way. Maybe sometimes we don't mean to but we secretly judge thoughs who are teenaged and pregnant when they deserve our empathy. This is a great peice! Keep up the good work and the open mind

on May. 17 2010 at 6:17 pm
whatshername GOLD, Carlsbad, California
14 articles 1 photo 112 comments
this is great!

waffjay said...
on May. 13 2010 at 6:21 pm
waffjay, Irvine, California
0 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I worked my using hard, so now I want to work my sobriety hard."

it's interesting to hear the perspective of someone who has never been through anything like that. i just went through a pregnancy scare, thank god the result was negative. i'm 17 and have already been pregnant once before, when i was 15 (miscarried), suffered sexual abuse and rape.... god I've been to those clinics a thousand times. i hate being judged by people who think i'm just another dumb, horny teenager that was too lazy to go get a condom. i'm a victim, i'm a woman, i'm a child, i am broken. we all look at the world differently, just like you put it. thanks for that perspective, it really... i don't know, it just made me feel differently. you never know what someone is thinking when they look at you, although you'd like to. i'm glad to hear the thoughts of even just one person, who has seen a girl like me.

nooniebae said...
on May. 7 2010 at 8:13 am
i liked that article

on Apr. 25 2010 at 1:10 pm
allisonl97 BRONZE, =), Wisconsin
2 articles 0 photos 46 comments

Favorite Quote:
I dont really have a fav quote

yeah...i heard a story about this girl who didnt have her first period until she was in her mid teens and she figured that she could have safe sex...but then she got pregnant

on Apr. 3 2010 at 2:28 pm
meggie123 BRONZE, Kansas City, Missouri
2 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I love to learn but hate to be taught" ~Winston Churchill

i cant believe that they had condoms like that, its like they are urging kids to have sex, its good that its safe but that doest assure anything

on Jan. 5 2010 at 8:38 pm
wow, that was sooooooo deep. i mean, its so true that we as society are so critical of teen pregnancies , when maybe they are going through more than we know of. i imagined myself in this story, and it really opened up my eyes.

on Dec. 23 2009 at 8:54 am
MssyBunniQ22 BRONZE, Psl, Florida
4 articles 0 photos 14 comments
OMG thats hard yet again so true. It makes somewhat feel bad for my situation right now though but again, great job

grasslova GOLD said...
on Dec. 14 2009 at 3:35 pm
grasslova GOLD, Highland, Utah
19 articles 43 photos 48 comments

Favorite Quote:
When you learn to die, you learn to live - Morrie

agreed. "kids havining kids"... wow, hit me hard too. It's not right, kids can't even depend entirely upon themselves, let alone care completly for another child. It's sad how many children out there have that responsibility in their unripened age.

on Nov. 22 2009 at 5:57 pm
spontaneous09 BRONZE, Dallas, Texas
1 article 0 photos 32 comments
Wow, I love this! It makes me feel more thankful for my current situation.

on Nov. 8 2009 at 1:59 pm
CaseyLeigh PLATINUM, Moraga, California
31 articles 6 photos 137 comments

Favorite Quote:
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to.

This piece is so true, so real. I'm inspired--amazing job! :]

clairem BRONZE said...
on Oct. 31 2009 at 3:06 pm
clairem BRONZE, Liverpool, New York
2 articles 0 photos 5 comments
People don't that recognize a teenager girl with a baby is a tremendously, extraordinarily courageous person and a strong person to have made the decision to give their child life. I love how you captured the insensitivity and judgment people so easily place.

kidlet612 said...
on Oct. 9 2009 at 4:46 pm
This is amazing, and it does describe exactly how it is to be waiting in that room. i found myself there a few months ago, but with completely different thoughts. something like that can change a life. im only 16, and i understand. this was very well written. kudo's to the author.

on May. 3 2009 at 3:58 pm
daisydee123 SILVER, Gotham City, Illinois
5 articles 19 photos 66 comments
vey good its horrible how people go to the worst casinaro when they see a pregnat teen.

PippinP GOLD said...
on Apr. 20 2009 at 1:34 am
PippinP GOLD, Bolingbrook, Illinois
15 articles 0 photos 67 comments

Favorite Quote:
Faith is like learning to walk; you have to fall at first, but don't stay down. When in doubt, don't stop believing.

So many kids are having sex nowadays and it's really sad if you think about it. That's supposed to be a gift made specially for your future spouse, not just anyone. I love how you emphasized the word 'kids'. That is so true; they're just kids.

Mad13658 GOLD said...
on Apr. 7 2009 at 10:23 pm
Mad13658 GOLD, Glen Rock, Pennsylvania
18 articles 0 photos 16 comments

Favorite Quote:
"You've got to love what's lovable, and hate what's hateable. It takes brains to see the difference."
- Robert Frost

This story is so true the way people look at pregnant teenagers is amazing. Everyone thinks the worst of you because you got pregnant when in reality it could happen to any women. I remember when my sister had to take care of a fake baby, and we went to the mall, and everyone gave her an evil glare because they thought the baby was real.

Tia14 said...
on Mar. 20 2009 at 11:52 am
This is a really good story..nice to see the other side in a different perspective...since i am one of those girls that have "stereotypically" b become a teen mother.......

on Mar. 16 2009 at 5:52 pm
writerfreak89 BRONZE, Hermiston, Oregon
1 article 0 photos 7 comments

Favorite Quote:
It is the weak who are cruel. Gentleness can only be expected from the strong. -Leo Rosten

This is true. You open my eye's so much. I wish every one could read this. Good Job!!!