Termination of My Existence

My mom told me she was getting an abortion. I was 25. We were at dinner, and I tried to be

supportive. “It’s your body, Mom.” But then she started listing my faults.

How I was sick, couldn't hold a job, couldn't give her grandkids.

I got upset and walked out. That’s when a white van pulled up. They called my name

and said my mother had requested an “immediate termination of pregnancy.” The official reason

the nurse gave as they tied my hands? “ASD and failure to provide grandchildren.” They weren't aborting

a fetus. They were terminating me.