Choice

It was a cold Christmas Eve night. The main square of this small town was beautifully lit. Every house had a Christmas tree adorned with lights. Excitement filled the air. But there was one house whose occupants did not feel the excitement of the season. Three teenage girls lived here. The oldest of the three sat alone in her bedroom, crying. Her eyes had become swollen, and her trembling hands rubbed her pregnant belly. Heavy desperation filled the air. The sounds of Christmas music from downstairs mingled with the voices of her younger sisters and drifted up to her. She could not compose herself enough to join in these special family times. It was an unbearable separation that grew worse every day.

,p>Suddenly there was a knock on her bedroom door. Her mother''s quiet voice asked, "May I come in?" As the mother entered, she could faintly see her daughter''s swollen eyes. She continued, "I have something very important to discuss with you."

The daughter shot back, "We already made my decision hard enough!" The mother patiently instructed her daughter to look at her. She had something to show her and she was offering it to her daughter even now. The daughter gasped. Then, as if in unspoken agreement, the two moved in a rush towards each other. It was time to make her choice!