Single & A Mom

ℙ𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝟜

𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕪'𝕤 𝕡𝕠𝕧

I love Cheryl and all, but I really don't trust Shawn. I mean the story he gave us was kind of believable, but I feel like there's something else he's not telling us... well, Cheryl. I also kept quiet the entire time, because Cheryl is a ticking time bomb most of the time and I didn't want to chance pissing her or Veronica off. Veronica was already on edge with him because of how he did Cheryl in the past, way before she even got pregnant. I get she's trying to do what is best for Toni, but the relationship between her and Shawn shouldn't have happened. They should've just left it as Shawn getting to know his daughter and that's it.

"Yeah, I agree" Veronica said. I didn't realize that I had said that last part out loud, I'm glad it wasn't Cheryl. "um" I say. "Betty, it's okay because I feel the same way, but if Cheryl feels confident in this situation, then we have to accept that". "It's hard to accept when you have nothing good to remember of him, it's just all bad things. Nothing good". I say. "Betty, I know, but what can we do about that? I know that I'm usually hard on her about everything, but at this point I feel like I can't win this battle anymore". Veronica says. "Well I don't know, how about be more harder on her" I say. "Betty, that'll eventually push her away and she'll hate me" Veronica says.

"V, we need to figure something out. She's practically our daughter and we can't let her get hurt.... again" I say. "Fine, I'll figure something out, HEY, CHERYL!" Veronica yells. "YES" Cheryl yells back. "COME HERE, PLEASE" Veronica says. "Yes?". "Sit, we need to talk". "About?". "You and Shawn". "Omg, here we go again with this mess, I thought you guys forgave him". "Cheryl, cut it out! Listen to me and listen to me clear. I know I gave you and Shawn the okay, but I'm still keeping an eye out on him" Veronica says. "V are you serious? Cut him some slack, he's changing!" Cheryl says. "Cheryl, he was changing last time and yet where did that get you? Huh? Pregnant and alone, right?" Veronica says. "VERONICA!" I say. "No, Betty! She needs to hear the truth!" Veronica says.

I mean I don't blame Veronica for saying that, because I agree with her, but she didn't have to throw that in Cheryl's face like that. By her saying that just might have caused a war. When Cheryl is hurt, she doesn't care about anything but her and what's hers. "Veronica, you need to stop! NOW!" I say. "Fine, but Cheryl, when he hurts you again, don't come running to us!" Veronica says walking away. I feel so bad, Cheryl even started crying. I tugged her arm for her to sit and just hugged her super tight. "Hey, calm down. Eventually she'll come around" I say. "When?" Cheryl asked. "Cher, I don't know. Look, she just wants what's best for you. Every time Shawn has hurt you, we've been there every step of the way. Even when Toni was born" I say.

"B, I understand that, but he's changed. I can see it, I feel it. For goodness sakes, he's the father of my child" Cheryl says. "Cheryl I understand that, but you can't just let him off the rip like that. Rather if he meant what he said or not, that gives him more advantage of you" I say. "What about Toni? Huh? It's not fair for her to have to grow up the same way we all did. She deserves to grow up with both parents present" Cheryl says. "Cheryl, think about what you just said" I say. "Betty" Cheryl says. "No, think about it. You just said Toni deserves to grow up with both parents present right?" I ask. "Yes" Cheryl says. "Exactly, yes you both can be present, but it's not required for you two to be a couple" I say.

When I said that, Cheryl zoned off to somewhere in her head. I'm assuming she was thinking about what I had just said to her. Hopefully it has her rethinking this whole situation between her and Shawn. If Cheryl doesn't weigh her options between this decision, eventually this whole thing will turn into Toni having to grow up the same way Cheryl did. Before Veronica and I got Cheryl and practically raised her, Cheryl lived in a home full of nothing but abuse. Her mom didn't really want her and her father hated her. Cheryl didn't have it easy growing up. Plus she's young, she's only 17. She's a kid who is lost and confused. Veronica and I grew up with Cheryl, but once Cheryl turned 11, Veronica and I took over as her legal guardians. At that time Veronica and I were 17.