Practice Makes Pregnant. Lois Dyer Faye

tousling the normally neat locks, and glared at the computer again.

      “Is there anything I can do to help?” Allison asked, well aware that Eloise was worried about the mayor’s proposed budget cuts and how they would affect the funding for Manhattan Multiples’ operating expenses.

      “You can read what I’ve written so far and give me your opinion.” Eloise hit the print button, and the machine hummed, then spat out a copy. “Here it is—be honest.” She held out the two-page letter.

      Silence reigned for the few moments it took for Allison to read the pages. She reread two of the paragraphs before she looked up.

      “Well?” Eloise asked.

      “I think you’ve stated the case for keeping budget funding in place for women’s and children’s programs very well—brilliantly, in fact.”

      “But…?”

      “But a couple of the paragraphs sound a bit too personal.”

      “Personal?” Eloise bristled, looking decidedly startled.

      “Yes. Especially the paragraph accusing the mayor of choosing financial interests over the welfare of children and pregnant women.”