Stranded! by Pepper Pace Page B

she gave him the obligatory response that it was both of them, not just him. "I'm coming up with a plan to build a cradle. It can hang from the branch like our hammocks, but using vines-"

"Marshall." She said suddenly. "I don't want to have a baby."

He sighed. "I know, Oceans." He tightened his grip slightly until she looked up at him. "This is not optimum, but I want you to know this; I love you. I love you! I want you in my world and that includes WHEN we get off this island. You and our child are a part of my life now." She shrugged out of his arms and stood turning to stare down at him.

"You don't understand, Marshall! I don't intend to have this child!"

His head shook back in forth in confusion, or perhaps denial. He gaped at her, incapable of speaking for several moments. "What? H-how...?"

"There have long been ways for women to abort an unwanted pregnancy, Marshall. There are many roots and herbs right here on the island...some of the things that we eat every day can cause a miscarriage." He closed his mouth after a moment and frowned. He was having a problem trying to process her words yet she continued to speak. "The sooner I take the medicine the better-"
     
     
     
    "Oceans are you crazy!" He jumped to his feet right before her. "You want to self-abort on a deserted island?" He just gaped and stared at her. Was she out of her mind? He tried to calm himself and tentatively reached out to stroke her arms. "Baby, this is crazy-"

She shook him loose. "I'm just forcing my period!"

He took a calming breath. One of them had to stay sane in this moment. "If it were that easy then why do so many women die from having an abortion?" He threw up his hands, giving in to his anger and confusion. "I can't believe that you would even consider doing something that dangerous! Something that could cause a miscarriage could kill you too, am I right?"

Ocean's took a moment to answer. "Yes, it could be dangerous the further along you are, but at this point-"

"Then no." He shook his head and walked away toward the water where he spent so much time fishing--where his mind could shut down and be at peace. He turned around suddenly. "No." He said again. Marshall came back to Oceans. "I won't take a chance of losing you-"

"Giving birth is dangerous too!"

"Not the same thing, baby. And you know it!"

Oceans closed her eyes. Marshall just wanted what Marshall wanted. He wanted her, a baby and a little hut on the beach where they could fish, make love by the fire, and be entertained by their baby. How wonderful! They could sit and tell stories to their tribe of children; about big buildings and electricity and those strange things that fly through the air called planes! She would rather slit her wrists then to live an existence like that! Her eyes flashed fire as she glared at him.

"I know that you don't get it. It doesn't even matter if you do or don't. I've already made the decision, Marshall. I'm sorry, but I'm going to end this pregnancy." His heart fell in his chest and he couldn't breathe.

"Oceans how can you say that? You really don't think I have a say in this?" She looked at him feeling his pain down to her core.

"Yes...no. I mean-" she swallowed. "I do think you have a say, Marshall. But it's not a situation where I'm confused or need convincing. I have no confusion over this. I do NOT want to have a child on this Island! Period. Women do this every day...on Islands without the help of doctors. So honey, as much as I love you, I am not changing my mind." Her eyes took on a steely glint that He'd never seen before. Marshall licked his lips and then he turned away and walked down to the rock wall along the beachfront. He climbed to the top of the dangerous, slippery surface and stared at the Ocean until the sun set and the light of the moon was all that illuminated the distant horizon.

***

When Marshall returned to the hut it was in the wee hours of the night and Oceans was already in her hammock sleeping. He carefully