Something happened to me, in that ICU. And I realized- I don't wanna die. And more than that, I don't want my little girl to watch me die. I can't do that to you, not ever. That's what I wanted to tell you today. I'm gonna handle my life- and I want you to get on with yours.
Okay. '['turns away, Maggie follows her]
You can't put your life on hold anymore!
It's not on hold-
What do you mean? You won't even go play softball with your boyfriend!
So? I don't wanna play.
[exasperated] Stop sitting things out, Abby!
I don't!
Yes, you do! You can't use me as the reason for not doing the things you want to do in life- go to medical school!
Well, that's not so easy-
Get married!
I was married!
Get pregnant!
[angrily] I was pregnant! [silence, as Maggie stares at her in shock]
What happened?
What happened? [sits down] I had an abortion. [pause] Some people aren't meant to be mothers. [Maggie sits next to her and leans close]
Abby. I was a lot younger than you are now, when I had my first manic episode. I've watched you since you were a little girl- you're not bipolar.
[holding back tears] No- but my kids could be.
But they might not be! They could be anything, and you would just love them, that's all! [pause] You never even told Richard, did you?
No. I- I think that was the beginning of the end for us. We just stopped talking about everything. [pause] I just- was too scared- I couldn't- I couldn't risk it. I just- I didn't want to-
Turn into me?
Yeah.
Or have to end up taking care of another me? [Abby nods, starts crying quietly] Oh, honey- oh, sweetie- sweetie, sweetie, sweetie. [Maggie hugs her tightly, Abby sobs into her shoulder] That's all there is, is risk. You just have to take a chance, and leap into life! Otherwise, sweetheart, you're gonna miss out on all the great things. Abby- you deserve all the great things. Do you hear me?
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