About the Book

“Some things are more important than a hell-free senior year.”

Spoiler Alert! The following is a synopsis of the entire book:

Sixteen-year-old science-geek Eve volunteers to work at an orphanage in the Dominican Republic over her winter break. Working side-by-side with German volunteer Adam and sneaking off the grounds to stargaze with him, she learns that he is all the things she values. Because Adam is so kind to everyone, she isn’t sure the attraction is mutual. She finds out on her last night at the orphanage, which ends with Eve losing her virginity under the stars. Leaving the orphanage the following day, she knows they’ll keep in touch once he is back in Germany in mid-August, but that she’ll probably never see him again.

She realizes she’s pregnant a couple of weeks after her return home to Chicago. Eve, who considers herself pro-choice, explains to her best friend Claire that she still has to do the “choice part.” Eve’s parents are shocked and deeply divided about what should happen next. Mom gives her daughter three books which are unabashedly pro-life, and Dad provides three which are equally strong in their support for abortion. Eve has two weeks to read the books and make up her mind. After extensive research and analysis, Eve concludes that both sides are right. The outcome simply depends on where the focus is placed. She and Claire also imagine a day when scientists will devise approaches that will routinely prevent pregnancy from puberty until such time as a woman wants to get pregnant. Claire thinks the solution should go a step further, and prevent women from having periods until menstruation must be activated to allow a wanted pregnancy. Both agree that if men had periods and got pregnant, these solutions would already be a reality.

Just before the deadline for her decision, Eve hits upon an idea which has its source in the fact that she was an IVF baby. She is shocked to learn that the science is where she needs it to be, although only Dr. Mary Hughey of Toronto has actually performed the procedure she wants, the post-implantation removal and cryopreservation of an embryo. Her parents arrange to meet with the doctor two days later. At the meeting, Dr. Hughey explains that the procedure will be done by a laparotomy and that she requires consents, including one from the father. Eve reaches Adam by phone, and he expresses disappointment that she didn’t tell him sooner and has made so many decisions without his involvement. Nevertheless, he agrees to sign the consent. In the Toronto hotel with her parents on Thursday night, Eve is despondent for having sabotaged her relationship with Adam. As she enters the in-patient surgery waiting room in the morning, she is shocked to see Adam talking with the receptionist. He explains his regret for failing to look at the situation from her point of view. He also describes how, having no money, he was able to make his way to Toronto. The laparotomy goes well for the embryo, which is immediately placed in the cryogenic freezing canister. Eve has no medical problems, but surprising, often excruciating, pain. Eve’s parents get to know Adam, and allow the young people time and privacy in Eve’s hospital room while they play tourist in Toronto, working to heal the wounds they’ve inflicted on their marriage in the past weeks.

Eve and Adam grow closer during their time together, so much so that Eve despairs of returning to Chicago, with little chance she’ll see him again. Claire’s insights help Eve deal with the separation from Adam. Eve also plans to do something to advance the abortion debate. She begins an essay explaining why she underwent the procedure, and expressing her hope that women will work together to demand more. Knowing it will cause her descent into high school hell, she decides to reveal her identity and release the essay after Dr. Hughey’s medical journal article on her procedure has been published. “Some things are more important than a hell-free senior year.”