My short story “The Waiting Room” (Spring 2024 Intima) was inspired by recent legislation that threatens women’s rights and health. In the story, a young couple is troubled by a decision they made to terminate a pregnancy – they are scared of persecution and legal action, but they are also emotionally and spiritually haunted by their choice.

The story ends as they drive away from the reproductive clinic, but it is evident they will think about that afternoon for months, and years, to come.

Can one miss something that was barely there?