Coming Home: Mandy Gonzalez

1

April 16, 1996
Tuesday

Mama and I had agreed that we'd tell Daddy on Saturday about my pregnancy. I was grateful that she wanted to do it with me. To help me through it. I knew Daddy would be disappointed but I hoped he wouldn't be mad. After all, I hadn't meant for this to happen.

I laid on my bed, curled up with my favorite blanket draped over myself. I wasn't looking forward to telling Daddy. Or Anthony and Monica. And definitely not Marcus. A thought hit me, Marcus is going to break up with me. A tear fell from my eye. This was going to ruin my mental health. Why did we have to have unprotected sex?

I heard a knock on my door, wiped my eyes and sat up. I had stayed home from school again at Mama's suggestion. "Come in." I said. My door slowly opened and I saw Daddy standing there.

"Hey princesa. May I come in?" He asked softly. I nodded. He sat on the foot of my bed. "Are you feeling any better?" I nodded, then shook my head.

"Daddy, you know I love you, right?"

"I know that princesa. And I love you too. You're my baby girl." He moved closer to me and wrapped his arms around me, kissing my head. "It's gonna be okay princesa. I promise. Now, I came in to tell you that I have to run to the store. Do you want me to get you anything while I'm out?"

"Could you get me some ginger ale and some crackers please?"

"Of course I can. I'll be back in about 45 minutes. Do you want Molly in here with you?" He asked.

"Yes please Daddy." I said. He called out to Molly who came running in, jumping onto my bed. "Good girl." I whispered, petting the border collie's ear.

"Alright Mandy. I'll be back shortly, love."

"Okay. I love you Daddy."

"I love you too." He then left my room, closing the door after him.

After a minute or two, I heard the front door close. I knew I was alone. The tears welled in my eyes, threatening to spill down my cheeks again. My phone then rang. I looked at the caller ID which read Monica. I wiped my eyes again and answered the phone. "Hey Monica." I said.

"Hey little sis. How was school today?" She said.

"I didn't go. I haven't been feeling well the past couple days."

"Oh no. I'm sorry sis. I hope you feel better."

"Thanks. Um, Monica, would you still-" I stopped myself.

Mama's words rang in my ear: "We'll tell everyone on Saturday when we can do so together. I want to help you through it."

"Would I still what?" Monica asked.

"Never mind. It was stupid. Hey, um, you are coming home this weekend right?"

"Mandy, Anthony and I always come home on the weekends. You know that."

"Yeah. I know...I just wanted to double check." I said and sighed.

Monica and I had always been super close to each other and I was so tempted to just tell her right then. Over the phone. But Mama and I agreed to tell her with Daddy and Anthony on Saturday.

"Mandy, are you okay? I can come down today if you want me to. I don't have classes on Wednesdays so it would be easy to come down, spend the day with you tomorrow and go back tomorrow evening."

"No. It's fine. I just wanted to make sure I'd get to see you this weekend." And hopefully you won't hate me after Saturday, I silently added.