February 11, 2019
1:22 p.m.

I am taking on a challenge to write a story based on this photo prompt.

(Please note: the images used as prompts are free-use images and do not require attribution.)  

I'm not the only writer taking this opportunity. Please check out the following link to read what other writers were inspired to write after seeing this picture.

Write the Story, February

An Unexpected Homecoming

She hadn't expected to love the place, but for Maggie it was instant infatuation. She hugged Josh enthusiastically, and held up their infant son. "Look, Johnny," she cooed. "We're home."

Josh looked less enthused, but admitted grudgingly, "It has...potential."

Getting home had been a painful process of misunderstandings, outright prosecution and near-bankruptcy.

Johnny had been the center of a controversy that Maggie still could not wrap her head around. She had suffered with severe toxemia in the latter part of her pregnancy, had been hospitalized and had elected to have an emergency Cesarean section in her 30th week due to the dangers of continuing the pregnancy to term.

Her medical record stated: "Patient elects to terminate pregnancy at this time."

Her medical record further recorded the Cesarean birth of her son, and that he was delivered alive and transported to NICU for further care, but the anti-abortion mole working in medical records, and stealing information in charts so that protesters could target women who had abortions, hadn't read past that sentence fragment: "terminate pregnancy..."

Protesters had Maggie's name and hospital room number and showed up in droves to persecute her, accompanied by members of the Press.

Bewildered and frightened hospital staff had them removed by police immediately, but the damage was done. Stories of law-breaking by medical staff made headlines. Maggie and a few other unfortunate women had their names brandished about on protest signs, declaring them murderers of the worst kind.

During all this, Maggie sat in the NICU, stroking her son's cheek, singing to him and thanking God for every ounce gained. She pumped milk so he'd have the best nutrition possible. She was released in good health after a couple of weeks, but rarely left the hospital.

After all, she had nowhere else to go.

Josh had lost his job shortly before Maggie became too ill to continue the pregnancy, and with that loss came the loss of their medical insurance. They'd been forced to sell their house and one of their cars in order to pay for many unexpected bills.

The mole was caught and arrested for violating privacy policies.

The protesters ignored any evidence that refuted their zealous vendetta, and continued to chant and brandish their signs.

Redacted news stories clearing the hospital and Maggie of any "wrong-doings" appeared in the back pages and the mostly ignored television news banner-feeds, and did no damage control whatsoever.

All the bad publicity took a toll on Josh's job search, and he wasn't able to secure employment again until just before Johnny was finally ready to go home.

Josh rented the one-bedroom flat sight-unseen, borrowing money for the deposit from his mother. He picked up the keys from the realtor and went to the hospital to pick up his family.

When he and Maggie exited the hospital that afternoon, a protester recognized Maggie and screamed, "That's her! Murderer!"

Maggie, finished with all the false accusations, screamed back, "My baby is alive and well, you vultures! Go to hell!"

The nurse quickly ushered the little family back inside and locked the door.

The next time they exited the building, it was with a police escort. Protesters swarmed about, wanting to see the "miracle baby". Some were so enthusiastic in their approaches that they were given an immediate trip downtown to the Police station. Maggie and Josh were more than happy to have them charged with malicious harassment.

Now they stood in the doorway of their shabby little place. A lone, rickety chair sat before the iffy-looking brick fireplace. There was nothing else in the place yet; their furniture would be delivered soon.

"Mom's going to faint," Josh said, sighing.

"Paint," Maggie said. She beamed at him. "A little elbow grease. There's nothing here that can't be improved upon."

Josh smiled down at her, kissed her lips and then kissed Johnny's tiny forehead. "They got one thing right," he said. "He really is a miracle baby."

"Yes," Maggie agreed. "And we'll be just fine."

--Paula Shablo
   2-11-2019

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A note to readers who may want to blast me with back-lash:

This is not a Pro-Life or a Pro-Abortion story. This is an attempt to highlight the many misunderstandings that can occur when people jump to judgement without having all the facts.

Things happen. Take a breath.

Cheers!