Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education

Stephanie goes to the church-run pregnancy crisis center. Her primary goal is to find out how far along she is. She is hesitant to fill out any paperwork or express any intentions about keeping or aborting the baby since she is not sure how the documentation of these intentions will affect her government aid.

The ultrasound is administered by a woman who does not seem to have adequate medical training. Stephanie hears the baby’s heartbeat and learns its measurements. The woman gives her a tour, and Stephanie is in awe of the rooms full of donated diapers, toys, baby clothes, and maternity clothes. The woman explains that if Stephanie attends the parenting classes offered by the center, she can earn points to “go shopping” and earn clothes and diapers. Once she learns that attending classes is required, Stephanie is no longer interested in these resources.

Stephanie learns that she is seven weeks and one day pregnant. Daniel is furious that she did not get an abortion. She realizes that she wants to keep the baby and believes that she can care for two children without a second parent.

Following her appointment, her car won’t start, and she is frustrated to realize that she’ll need to spend money on repairs.