The Greys Chapter 6: Options
#7 of The Greys
Jo didn't abort the child, even though she'd thought about it many times over the remaining trimesters. It didn't help that being pregnant hurt her attendance during her Freshman year, but she had been able to get and hold a 3.0 Grade Point Average, mostly because of her papers. The more the months ticked away, the more her pregnancy showed, but the more determined she was to at least finish her Freshman year.
The whole ordeal had been rough on the vixen, and even more so on her parents who rarely heard from Jo at all. She'd talk to them on the phone every few days, but she never sent home any new photos, which made them a bit curious about what was going on. It confused them even more that she didn't come to visit on holidays or breaks. The more Jo was silent, the more everyone worried. They'd thought about heading to the big city to see their little girl, but they couldn't get much in the way of farm help.
The semester finally ended in mid-May, something that Jo had been extremely grateful for. With college done for the time being, she could at least focus on what to do next. She'd started to think about names for the kit brewing inside her when she received a call from the registrar's office. It was a bit strange, especially considering it was from her counselor. The vixen figured that she wouldn't hear from them at least until August when classes started again, but she went along with it.
The woman behind the desk was tall and skinny, but that was to be expected from an antelope, though Jo didn't really know which of the various antelope subspecies she was. "Miss Grey," the woman said as she leaned over her desk, "I realize that you have been up into a very awkward situation, and I hate to burden you further. But many of the staff have noticed your condition and are wondering what your plan is if you wish to continue to attend Z.U."
The vixen just looked down, "I... I hadn't really done much considerin'. I've jist wanted t'finish the year."
The antelope nodded her head, "I understand, but the University doesn't offer any family housing, and children aren't allowed in the dorms. You'd also be away from the child for long periods of time, and we don't offer any day care services."
Jo started to sniffle. The sniffle turned into a pout. The pout turned into sobbing. "I... I don't know what to do! I cain't afford a house, er a nanny, but I cain't send him back home t'my parents! I'd die of shame," the vixen started to openly wail as her hands moved to rest on her cheeks, "I cain't quit college! I jist cain't! I'm th'only Grey to ever go t'college. But I cain't let my kit grow up without a mama or a daddy."
The antelope woman slowly slid out of her desk, moving around to grab some tissue paper. She handed it to Jo as a hand moved to her shoulder. "I understand, Miss Grey, but there are other options," the woman said, "you could put your child up for adoption."
The vixen looked up at her with blood shot eyes as tears kept flowing, "Adoption?" The antelope nodded, "Yes. There are lots of couples who can't have children that are looking to adopt. I could put you in touch with one of them if you like."
Jo just nodded her head, "Please."