Story by Lucy Aldrich Moorhead Rowland, 1992
Pearl had given birth to five children and the last one, Wilma, had just died. Pearl immediately became pregnant again. The doctor was concerned about Pearl’s health and said it would be very dangerous for her to give birth so soon after the very difficult pregnancy she had with Wilma. He gave her an abortion and sent her to her mother’s house to rest and recuperate. Ida took care of Pearl and decided it was time to have a serious talk with her daughter. Ida explained that she, Pearl, had done her duty as a wife and given birth to five children. She certainly didn’t need to become pregnant again so it was time to say “no” to Elmer. Enough was enough. Pearl listened patiently and then explained to her mother that it wasn’t always Elmer’s fault. Ida became very exasperated and said she would never understand Pearl.
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