When my former student Daniel showed up at the abortuary Saturday morning, I told him his presence would tip the scales. Still, I was a little surprised when, eventually, all five mothers did leave. One of them certainly had the attitude of a woman who has changed her mind. Another woman clearly hadn’t changed her mind–a Spanish speaking woman whom Alicia followed through the parking lot to her car. The woman agreed with everything Alicia said, but insisted that it was still impossible to carry the child. Everyone did not leave, then, because each was persuaded by us. The abortionist never showed up, so I am guessing there was a glitch somewhere in the abortuary’s operations. Still, each woman heard us, several took our material, and each child has another chance.
Meanwhile, the wind was so brutally cold I could only compare it to the scourging at the pillar. Maybe those are the best conditions for standing in front of an abortuary.
Later in the morning we met with Pinkie to give her a load of children’s clothes and diapers. Then we went to Maria’s to try to start her van, but failed. It has been out of commission for two weeks, so she has not been able to go to a laundromat or look for a job. We will find a mechanic to tow it in for her. Finally, we drove to River Rouge. Earlier in the morning we had received a very simple request from Juanita, asking for food for her children. We were happy to make that trip. The ride home, though, was an adventure. I passed at least seven totaled cars and untold ambulances, fire trucks and police cars.
