Benny's Lady

Present Day

"Mrs.Rodriguez? Can I please talk to you?"

"Yes sweetie about what?"

"We'll it's about something I don't really want anyone else to hear..."

"Oh...okay honey just wait until the bell for break rings and we'll talk when everybody gets out."

Bell Rings

"Class dismissed guys! Please don't ditch the rest of your classes!"

"Bye Mrs.Rodriguez!" My students yell while walking out my classroom door.

Once everyone leaves... My student, Maya, comes back towards my desk.

"Hey mijita (babygirl) what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Well... You're my favorite teacher and the most loyal and trustful person I've ever met. Like everyone always goes to you because you always know exactly what to say. You're like a mother to all of us and I feel like I could tell you anything without you judging me."

"Thanks sweetheart but tell me what's bothering you?" I gently reach over for her hand and look into her watery eyes.

"Mrs.Rodriguez... I'm...I'm um... I'm pregnant." She begins to cry as she looks at the ground.

"Aye babygirl," I gently lift her head while still holding her hand, "how did this happen?"

"I don't know," she continues crying not having an idea on how to respond to me.

"Was it with anyone specific mija?"

"Well yes... With um my boyfriend," she says trying to stop crying and tearing, "we were just in the moment and we were just so in love...it was so perfect and I told him that I'm pregnant now... And he doesn't know what to do... He simply doesn't know but he told me that he still loves me. He doesn't want me alone in this."

"He sounds like a real good young man that's in love... Even through thick and thin Maya."

"Yes Mrs.Rodriguez he is I love him with all my heart but I need your help...I have no idea what I'm doing or what I'm going to do."

"Do you want to hear something that will help you feel better?"

"Yes please."

"When I was in high school... Just like you are now... I had my boyfriend and we were both so in love and the most happiest teenagers because we had each other. We went through a lot together and before you knew it... I also had an unexpected pregnancy."

"Oh my God really?!" She looks a little relieved.

"Yes," I smile at her.

Another student from my upcoming class came in, "Hey Mrs.Rodriguez I have a couple questions to ask you for the school newspaper."

"Um... Yes one moment okay?"

Maya looks at me, "Mrs.Rodriguez could I come back at lunch because I really want to hear your whole story. Listening to you makes me feel a lot better." She warmly smiles at me.

We both stand up and I still have her hand and I hold it close, " you are welcome to come anytime Maya... I'm happy to share my full story with you."

"Thank you so much Mrs.Rodriguez, I'll be back okay?" She smiles and begins to slowly walk away.

"No problem honey see you later."

Once Maya came back into my class for lunch, I sat her down and began telling her my story. . .