by Monique Aiken

Created on: June 22, 2009   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

It was the winter of 1989. I was 19 years old in the 12th grade, no job, no car, no drivers license, and my girlfriend was six months pregnant and I still had not told my parents of her condition. I really did not have any sense of direction and still did not know what I wanted to do upon graduation. When I was younger I wanted to become a professional wrestler, but after being slammed a few times and considering the fact that my weight was a mere 135 pounds I changed my mind quickly.

I must admit my girlfriends life was more stable and well-rounded than mines. She had graduated high school the year before and was currently attending her first year of college. She wanted to become a pediatrician. I was really upset because I felt as if I had disturb not only her world but also her dreams. She had just told her parents a few days ago of her plight and they were furious. I think she only told them because she was coming home for the holidays and she knew that our secret would be discovered. This made me even more frantic because I knew that it was only a matter of time her parents would be contacting mines.

That evening after dinner I told my parents that I needed to discuss an important issue with them. My father thought I had decided to attend a local technical college. He always wanted me to complete a trade so that I could support myself. My mother always wanted me to attend a four year college as she had, but I really did not like school and had the grades to prove it. She eventually encouraged me to go for a trade also. She told me as long as I was able to be a productive citizen and one day be able to support a family, when her time came she could rest in peace.

My mother looked at me with tears wielding up in her eyes as if she already knew what I was going to say. She wanted to know what was wrong and kept repeating I know something is wrong I can feel it. I could never fool my mother, being the youngest child I always felt a special connection with her. I stumbled over the words as they flew out of my mouth. I told them that Laurie is pregnant. My father's cigar dropped out of his mouth burning a large hole into the sofa. My mother just groaned as I heard a horrible sound that came from the pit of her belly as if someone had told her that one of her young had been wounded or killed. I sat there as I watched both of their reactions not knowing what would happen next. My father told me that I would definitely have to step up to the plate and

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