Status Updates From Ava

Okay…this book for sure has an important message for women’s reproductive rights but I’m truly having a difficult time getting through this book. What she’s going through feels like a nightmare…I’m going to keep pushing, but man…I hope something turns around for Larkin soon.

This book is getting so sad! Larkin & Spencer went to see Dr. Parrish for her first ultrasound, & they received bad news. Dr. Parrish discovered that the baby has anencephaly. This meant even though there's a heartbeat & the baby is still viable, eventually, Larkin will miscarry, or give birth to a stillborn, or the baby could live for a few hours or days, but not long. Larkin & Spencer were heartbroken.

Larkin asked Susan to recommend an obstetrician. She didn’t tell her that she's pregnant, but that she is trying to establish care for birth control. Dr. Parrish had assured Larkin her visit was routine and all good news. She provided Larkin with an estimated due date & prescribed prenatal vitamins. Spencer got a PT job at a local insurance agency working for Jack Montgomery, who is also running for US Senate.

Aww...in tears, Larkin tells Spencer. To Larkin's relief, Spencer isn't angry, more surprised if anything. Spencer asks Larkin why he would be mad. He was so happy he wanted to share the news with their parents, but Larkin suggested doing this after her first obstetrics appointment. The one person she does tell is her best friend, Aubrey. Larkin can't believe how quickly her life has changed.

Larkin takes a test & it's positive...her mind is reeling. She's worried about how Spencer will react, who just started grad school. She's worried about finances since her job doesn't make much. She's worried about what her boss will think since she just started. She doesn't even know if she's ready. Susan & Larkin clean the lab before heading home. As they leave, Susan tells Larkin, I hope you feel better tomorrow.

Spencer & Larkin got married after they graduated! Larkin began her Research Assistant job w/the University's Genetics & Development Dept! Susan was training her on how to compare the chicken embryos to humans, then create hypotheses on cleft lip & palate formation. Larkin is about to take her lunch when she sees her birth control in her purse. She's on the last day of her placebo week & still no period...

Larkin is studying in the library for her favorite class, comparative bio, when a guy she recognizes from the protest sits at her table. They introduced themselves & spent the entire afternoon getting to know each other. Things were going well. Larkin attempts to take a secret photo of him, but her phone is not on mute; Spencer hears the click & smiles. Larkin texts her friend the photo & writes, "future husband."

Larkin was at a pro-choice protest at the University of Tennessee campus & got tear-gassed; she couldn’t breathe or see. Someone dragged her out of there & she gets treated by a nurse named Maxine. Maxine tells her that the protesters' hearts are in the right place, but it's not working. Some of her friends were hit w/batons, rubber bullets, others were arrested & needed bail $. She sent what she could to help.

new arc just dropped!!