Big
By Tayler, age 14, California
Chapter 3
The Fight
The ride home with my mom was quiet like we were in a hearse. I could see that she was disappointed. I looked over as we pulled into the driveway; her eyes were filling up with tears. I could not help but to cry too. I was scared to the point where if I wanted to speak, I would not be able to. "Just listen to me, Amy," my mom said choking. "You and Jeremy can't have this baby. You're too young, and I want you to go to school. I want you to be able to have a better life than I did."
"What is that supposed to mean, Mom?" I questioned.
"You know I love you. I just want you wait to have a child until you're out of college. I didn't get to do that. I want better things for you. You have two options: abortion or adoption."
"Mom, I can't do either of these. I can't give this baby up. I made the decision to have sex, and I got pregnant. I have to be there for this baby. I'm already attached," I said in a refusing manner.
"Amy, I only want what's best for you. I didn't have all the opportunities like you did. I was already on my own when I got pregnant with you. I had no options, you do. You're smart, and I cannot let you mess up your life. I am your mom, and until you can support yourself, you cannot have a baby."
"You were still a teenager when you had me. So what makes you so different? You're such a hypocrite!"
"Ameria Celeste, you will not talk to me in that way. I was still on my own when I got pregnant. I was out of high school. You're 16 years old, I was 19. You can't ruin your life. I love you and I do not want to see you struggle. I want you to go to college, start your career, get married. I want you to do that all before you have a baby. I know you're scared. I know you don't want to give your infant up, but I want you to succeed in life and be happy. I don't want you to fall behind. Amy, you're in calculus, medical academy, and you already have a 100,000 dollar scholarship as a junior. Do you have any idea how good you have it as a junior? Most juniors don't have all this. You're brilliant, and you have so much going for you."
"Mom, I know. I'm going to stay in school. I am going to do whatever it takes for me to make it. I am going to have this baby. It's my choice and there isn't anything you can do or say about it. I love this baby. You don't understand, Mom. I am not going to follow your advice."
"Ameria! I've worked my ass off so you could have a better life. You have no idea what I sacrificed for you. I want you to have so much more than I did. I want you to be able to live your life without worrying about being financially secure. I cannot believe you. If you're not going to abide by my rules, then get the hell out of my house!"
I walked to the door and slammed it behind me. I was on my own. I pulled out my phone. I dialed Jeremy's number. It rang and rang. No answer. CRAP! I thought to myself. Where was I supposed to go? I was so screwed. I began walking down the street. I saw all the moms with their strollers walking past me. In nine months, that was going to be me. I needed to find somewhere to live.
My phone rang, thank God. It was Jeremy. I answered it. "Babe, you alright?" he asked.
"I'm fine. I left my house. Can I stay with you? Our fight was pretty bad. She kicked me out. I have nowhere else to go," I responded.
"I'll be there in five minutes. Where are you?"
"I'm at the park around the corner from my house."
"Okay, Amy, I love you. See you momentarily."
I hung up the phone. A tear ran down my cheek. I wished that my mom would help me. She was going to need a little time before I could see her again. I heard Jeremy's tires screech. When he said five minutes, he meant it.