Struggles of a Single Father (Book 1 of the Struggle Puff Series)

Chapter 11

Edited – 2/20/2020

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

It was Thanksgiving and we were at mom's parent's house, where the rest of the family was gathering.

As soon as we walked through the door, everyone flocked to Tilisia. They all wanted a chance to pick her up and add to her bratty ego. As they all gushed over her, mom and I made our way to the kitchen so we could set up the food we prepared.

"Well hello Carter!" My grandmother came in behind us and gave me a big hug. She pulled my face down so she could leave a pink kiss mark on my cheek. "You thought you could just sneak by without me noticing?"

Grandma Victoria was a petit woman who was barely 5'2. She had black hair peppered with grey and big blue eyes. She was a huge factor in why I wanted to keep Tilisia and raise her.

It was Christmas afternoon and I was lying in bed.

"Carter?" Grandma walked into my dark room and sat on my bed beside my still body.

My dad and I had gotten into another fight concerning Kimberly's pregnancy. I decided that it would be best if I just stayed in my room for the rest of the day.

"Yes?" I replied dully.

"Now, I heard about this little girl you got pregnant." She spoke as if she was walking on an iced over lake, but I didn't care. I had already been a verbal punching bag. What could she say that dad hadn't?

"What about her?"

"To be honest, I already don't like her."

I scoffed, "Welcome to the club. The water is in the fridge and the insults are to your right."

I felt a firm smack to my head, "ow!"

"Young man, you better watch who you're disrespecting."

I rubbed the space she hit, "Yes ma'am. Sorry..."

"That's better. Now let me ask you this. What do you plan on doing with this baby?"

"I don't know!" I ground out, "I don't want to abort it, but everyone keeps telling me that it's not my decision and that even if it was, I'm not in any position to take care of it."

Grandma stayed silent for a moment before sighing.

"What is it that you want?"

"Huh?" I sat up and looked at her in confusion. Nobody had asked what I wanted this whole time.

"What are you? Deaf? I asked you what it is that you want?"

I looked down at my blanket for a moment to think.

"I..." I hesitated.

"Carter, you will never get anything you want if you can't say the simple things."

"I want to keep the baby." I choked out. I didn't realize I had been holding back tears until they started rolling down my face, "I want to keep it. I really do, but I'm so scared. I am terrified that I'll mess it all up and that I'll fail."

At this point I was full on crying, but the gentle hand that was rubbing slow circles on my back, was comforting.

"It's going to be alright, Carter."

"How?! How is it going to be alright? Even if I do figure out how to take care of a kid, I doubt Kimberly will even keep it."

We fell back into silence; the only sound being made was my sniffling. Grandma gave my back one final pat before fully turning her body to me.