The Savage Made Legal

It was the first day of my new job – the summer of 2000. Finally. I would be working at pms, a medical office that provides services to women. The fact that I had done no research on my new job didn’t seem to bother me at all. In fact, I asked absolutely no questions, although I asked enthusiastically when can I start. The details were not important. My main focus was to begin working so that I could save enough to divorce my asshole husband. I would support myself.

When I pulled in that morning, any normal sane person might have gotten right back into their car. I was met in the employee parking lot by not one but two officers – they said they were there to escort me inside. Oh, this is nice I thought. But then I heard the roar of angry men and women holding signs chanting “killer” “murderer” – and baby… pms wasn’t just a medical center for women, it was an abortion clinic. Because I’ve always believed myself to be pro-choice I figured I could handle it, and instead of springing back to my car… I went inside. Approx. 20 young women sat in the waiting area - some were scared and crying. She sat in silence, but most were talking and laughing. Maybe they were nervous.

The back was busy, everyone sitting around getting ready for the doctor… Found out the Doctor lives in Tampa and only comes in on funeral day – the funeral day is what we call abortion day – one of the ladies told me. A few minutes later in walks an older gentleman, gray hair, overweight, and loud… Asking us if the procedures were ready to begin- he told me to go speak to the group and tell the women that before they came into the back to make sure they are prepared. I do not want to hear crying, whining, doubt or confusion. We are not here to counsel… you either want the abortion or you don’t – it's your $ and we will not refund your $375.00.

The patients were brought to the back. She was given an I.V. mild twilight sedative, but any of those who could afford the extra $75.00. One of the girls began to cry on the table – I tried to comfort her but was abruptly cut off by the doctor who told me to help her up and get her the hell out of here.

After the abortion was complete the doctor handed me a canister covered in a brown paper bag- take this to the lab – the jars contents were the abortion. he said go get it weighed. Walking into the lab I was expected to see some highly-qualified professional – instead it was a girl, younger than me – basically out of high school with acne and smelled like cigarettes. I handed her the jar – she asked if I wanted to see this shit… learn her job. I guess, I responded. She dumped the contents, remains into a strainer/colander, weighed it and told me to help her find baby parts – WTF. This was the lab – this girl determines if the abortion was complete. I asked her where she went to school – she said oh right now I’m trying to get my GED.