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"Mr. McDonagh, thank you for agreeing to this interview. We all know how sensitive an issue this is in today's climate, and we would like for you to give your side of the story, to wipe the slate clean, so to speak."
"Thank you, Janet. When your organization came forward to speak with me, I did not know whether I wanted to speak about it or not, but this is not a story about me. It is a story about a young woman. It is through her strength that I was able to come forward instead of hiding in the shadows."
"Take us back, Mr. McDonagh. This happened almost seven years ago, didn't it?"
"Yes. I have a friend who will remain nameless for her own protection and to protect her family's privacy. She called me because I was the only person she knew who could help. She was faced with an impossible situation and decision. Her partner abused her, and it was a relationship she could not get out of. She became pregnant by her abuser."
Janet nods as she listens to the story.
"He came home one night and beat her within an inch of her life. When she visited the doctor three days later… three days later! Not straight away, not the day after, butthreedays later, she was told that she would lose the baby and that she might lose her own life if she did not abort it."
"An impossible decision," notes Janet.
"Yes, and made all the much harder by her abuser. He did not believe the doctor, and I assume that represents the skepticism many hold toward our country's healthcare system today. He believed she was conspiringwiththe doctor to get away from him. He did not agree to an abortion."
"Is that where you came in?"
"Yes. In the state of Louisiana, a woman cannot have an abortion without the written consent of her husband. I understand why this system is in place, but it does not account for such situations. My friend was left fearing for her life. She feared she would be beaten again for wanting an abortion, and she feared she would die along with the child. I do not believe any of us can imagine what she was going through."
I take Jessica's hand and hold onto her tightly. I am carrying a child inside of me, and I still can't imagine what she must have gone through.
"And there are many like her in that situation. So, are you telling me that you were not the child's father?"
"I was not, no. I believe you have already spoken to my friend, and she has confirmed that with you."
"Yes, I had a chance to sit down with her privately, and I am the only other person who now knows her identity. There will be no pictures of her nor any information when the article is published. Now, to get down to the crux of the matter, you did break the law, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did. I had to get her out of that relationship, and she could not tell her husband what she was planning or ask for his permission. I will not bore you with the details—it is not like it is in the movies—but I got fake identifications made, including a marriage certificate, and I signed a document under false pretenses. The abortion was not done under my name or hers, but we did do it together, and I believe it saved her life. The laws in Louisiana are constantly changing, and I hope someone else does not have to go through what my friend did. However, back then, it was the only way I could help her through it."
"You mention that it is not how it is in the movies, but it does sound like this could be a movie. Fake documents, a fabricated relationship, fraud, living under a new identity… This interview will go out to the public in a few days, and we know it will be picked up nationally soon after that. Your friend has anonymity and can continue to live her life, but what about you? Are you worried about repercussions?"
"No," states Logan. "I know I did the right thing, and I will face any repercussions that come my way. My legal team is already looking into the matter and will fight on all fronts. But, if I must serve punishment for what I have done, then I will. I do not regret my choice. My choice was easy. My friend's choice was not."
There is a ringing sound in my ears. I had not thought about this part of the process. We spoke about my absent father, and I know Logan would never subject our child to that, but what if he is forced to?
What if the father of my child is found guilty of a crime and taken to prison?
FRANKFURT
"You do realize that flying everywhere in your private jet is not sustainable for the company, right?" Teal asks.
"Yeah, I do." I smile. "However, it sure beats waiting in line at the airport. Besides, I did not hear you complaining about the flight here."
"Well, no," she says slowly. "You might be right about that, but as youronlyemployee, the system might not scale up well."
"I will take that into consideration," I note. "Well, shall we go in? Anyone who is anyone is going to be here."
"I'm ready. I mean, I am nervous as hell, but I want to go in."
"This could be our first client," I say. "James Greenwood. He's not going to make us millions, but he has a quirkiness that is going to fill a niche. Someone will sign him, so it might as well be us."
"He wanted to self-publish. Did you read that memo?"
"Yeah. He is still young and naive, which is a great thing to be in this world, but he would get lost in the multitude of self-published authors. Some make it, but most make less than a few thousand a year. He is stubborn though."
"Well, so am I," says Teal. She looks me up and down. "I must say that you look impeccable as always. How can you take a flight from the states to Frankfurt and walk off the plane looking like that? It's not fair when I am some bloated whale!"
I laugh and shake my head. "Wow, so dramatic! You are not a whale, and you are not even showing yet."
