[ WP ] You live in a world where , due to overcrowding , a pregnant couple must announce the pregnancy to the town . The town then votes as to whether or not the pregnancy is of sufficient pedigree to permit the child to live . A vote of no and the town aborts the baby .

He squinted to look at the little pink stick in the dim light from the hanging light bulb in the closet. A clear plus sign was visible on the end. 
 
 `` It's really real then,'' he said. He sighed and leaned against the wall of the broom closet and sank to his knees, leaving little room for Shelby to stand. 
 
 `` I told you!'' she snapped at him. `` I ai n't no liar, Jerry Johnson!'' 
 
 `` Alright, alright.'' Jerry held the positive pregnancy test in the air, and Shelby snatched it up. `` Let's think about this here before we do anything rash.'' 
 
 He looked at a bucket of cleaning supplies on the floor next to him as he thought. *What a mess this is... I should n't have even come back home. I have such a good life over in L.A. as a lawyer. I left this backwater town for a reason, and now I might have to stay here... Just'cause I screwed one of Mrs. Andrews' daughters. * 
 
 `` You done with your thinkin' yet?'' Shelby asked, scowling. She was picking at her nails as she spoke. `` You know we ai n't tellin' the town. They'd never allowed us to keep a kid. Too many kids these days anyhow.'' 
 
 `` I know... Would that really be so bad though? Not keeping the baby?'' he squeaked out. He knew the answer already. 
 
 `` Jerry, I will not become no baby-murderer!'' she yelled and proceeded to kick the bucket of cleaning supplies over. 
 
 `` Jesus, Shelby, keep it down! Why the hell do you think we're in this broom closet? We ca n't let anyone know about this yet!'' he hissed. 
 
 Just then a clumsy knock on the door jolted Jerry upright. The door opened slowly, and Shelby's little sister, Sue Ann, was standing there with a wide smile. `` I heared you two! You has a baby-belly!'' she said, poking her older sister's stomach. 
 
 `` Sue Ann, do n't tell Mama. P-please do n't tell Mama.'' Jerry could see her eyes well with tears as she choked out the words. Her little sister could n't possibly understand the magnitude of her responsibility. She was only 7 after all. A single tear leaked out of Shelby's eye, and Sue Ann's crooked grin gave herself away before she did. The little girl sprinted down the hall with Shelby at her heels and Jerry right behind Shelby, running into her many brothers and sisters and friends that lived in the cramped house with them all the way to the kitchen where 5 women were preparing lunch. Sue Ann tugged on the skirt of her mother, and Shelby stood in the doorway looking horrified. Jerry hung back. 
 
 `` Shelby has a baby-belly!'' she shouted to her mother triumphantly, but the whole house must have heard. 
 
 Her mother looked over at Shelby with hollow eyes. Shelby's mother looked tired and old, older than she should have been. Mrs. Andrews eyes drooped at the sides just like her mouth after hearing the news. Her hair was gray in some parts, brown in others. And her clothes were dirty and dull but practical for cooking or cleaning. 
 
 `` I'm sorry, Mama. I-I...'' 
 
 Mrs. Andrews dropped the bowl of stew on the counter, causing it to splash everywhere. The other women in the kitchen left in a hurry. Sue Ann stuck her tongue out at Shelby who ignored her. Jerry's stomach churned. After a the two women, mother and daughter, stared at each other for what seemed like hours Mrs. Andrews broke the silence. 
 
 `` You know the rules,'' Mrs. Andrews said in a gravely voice. `` The town decides. I'll call the sheriff tonight after dinner.'' A tear streaked down her face as she picked the bowl of stew back up and continued to prepare it. 
 
 Shelby covered her face and started to sob. Jerry put a hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off. 
 
 Jerry was only supposed to visit home for a month. He was already 5 weeks into his prolonged vacation, if one could call it that anymore, and was planning on leaving that Friday before he got Shelby's call. Today was Monday. The town meeting would be Thursday. In underdeveloped towns like where he grew up, people decided whether or not people could have babies because the population was overwhelming already. It made sense logically looking from the outside, but once you're in the situation yourself, you just ca n't imagine it. 
 
 Jerry's parents would no doubt be upset, but as they were avid supporters of the the law themselves, he doubted he would get any sympathy. Selfishly he hoped the town decided against the baby. But for Shelby's sake he hoped they decided to let them keep it. Of course he would stay if she did. Or maybe take her back to L.A.. Why did n't he just do that now? *Oh, right*, he remembered. No one can leave the town until a decision is made. It's a wacky small government system that these nut jobs on the town council thought would be good idea. Jesus, the system was fucked. 
 
 When Friday finally arrived, Jerry left for L.A. alone. 

