Little Bang by Kelly McCaughrain

Author:Kelly McCaughrain [McCaughrain, Kelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781529520446
Publisher: Walker Books
Published: 2022-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

We run out of time before they run out of arguments. And I haven’t said a single word, just nodded along mutely while they discuss the voiceless babies, trying to look like my whole body isn’t shaking. It’s just … too much. Too much to think about. Too much shouting. Too many “facts” that completely contradict each other. Too many people taking up too much air. I feel like I’ve been run over, while everyone else sips their tea as if this is just a normal debate. I guess it is, if you’re not the person being debated.

“All right. This has been terrific, but we’ll have to stop there if we want to vote before we finish.” Miss Berry has to flap her hands to silence them. “This house would legalize abortion in Northern Ireland. Show of hands for the ‘For’ team? And ‘Against’?”

The “For”s have about two thirds of the votes and Ting looks smug. I guess she basically won single-handed. No one took Holly seriously. We pack up and leave, people already talking about the weekend, already forgetting the debate. Because they can.

I abstained. In the vote. You’re allowed to abstain, but I’ve never needed to before. It’s much easier to have opinions about things that are nothing to do with you.

I don’t even know what I think. I don’t know what to feel. I was kind of surprised that the “For”s won. I mean, Ting’s a good speaker, but isn’t it weird for something to be illegal when most people are for it? And does that mean they wouldn’t judge me? If I’d stood up and said, “Actually, I’m pregnant, guys! What should I do?” would two thirds of them have said, This house wouldn’t judge Mel Watson for having an abortion?

Somehow, I don’t think so. Because there was no sad video of someone saying, I got pregnant because I was stupid and drunk. And even though my boyfriend is totally going to stick around and my family will support me, I’m having an abortion anyway, because I just don’t want to have a baby.

I can’t imagine anyone weeping into their blazer sleeve over that.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.