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trying to defuse the situation before dad threw her out of the house. I wish I took after dad. I’m more like mom. We both tend to let people say what they want and act how they want no matter how hurtful or hateful they are. I know I’ve let the majority of people in my life walk all over me, but I don’t know if I have it in me to stand up for myself. Maybe one day I’ll grow a pair.
    We all walk outside and I take a seat away from everyone. My feet are killing me and my back feels like someone’s stabbing it over and over. I never knew just standing for a few hours would hurt so much. Mom sees me and she walks over to take a seat beside me.
    “You weren’t lying about, Tina.”
    “I told you. That woman’s awful. I don’t know why she even came. Look at her, mom. She’s looking down at everyone here like they are bugs trying to attack her.”
    “I know, honey. But people like her aren’t really happy with themselves. They act the way they do because at the end of the day, they want what we have. Money can’t buy you everything. I know it sure helps, but I wouldn’t trade my life with you and your father for all the money in the world.”
    I place my hand in my moms and I squeeze hard. I’m trying not to cry at what she’s telling me. She’s right. I never thought of it that way and I’m glad mom pointed it out to me. I thought Tina just didn’t like us because we aren’t good enough to be around her. But it makes total sense the way mom says it. In a way, I feel sorry for Tina. She doesn’t have a loving husband like my mom has. She might have a son, but I know Malcolm could care less about anyone, other than himself.
    I sigh thinking about Malcolm. Things need to change between the two of us. Knowing that my baby girl is coming soon, and the way Malcolm and I can’t even be in the same room together, will just make things even more stressful. For us and for the baby.
    “How are you doing, Ava?”
    “I’m alright, mom. Just worried about Malcolm and me. I haven’t heard from him in almost a week.”
    “Oh, honey, he will come around. He just needs time to work through things.”
    “I know. I just wish he would talk to me about it. I thought that’s why he asked me to move in and marry him. Isn’t that what married couples do?”
    “Communication is very important. Give him time, honey. Sometimes it’s hard for a man to express how he feels or what he’s going through. They just aren’t programed like us.”
    We both start to giggle at what mom says. I know she’s right about that too. “Thank you, mom.”
    “For what, honey?”
    “For everything. This baby shower. For supporting me during all this … this mess. I really don’t know what I would’ve done if I didn’t have you and dad helping me. I know both of you just want the best for me, but I do appreciate you and dad letting me make my own choice. I know at first I wanted you to tell me what to do about it, but now I understand why you wanted me to make this one on my own. I love you, mom.”
    “Ava, honey, you don’t have to thank me. I’ll always be here for you, no matter what happens. Your father and I are so proud of you and the young woman you’re becoming. I love you too, baby. How about we open your gifts now?”
    I nod, and we get up and mom puts me in a chair and makes everyone sit in chairs around me. Leaving me right in the middle for everyone to stare at. I know mom didn’t do this to upset me, but no matter how much I’m happy about having my baby, I still feel the shame at having people see me as the pregnant girl. It doesn’t matter what I was before. I was the perfect student. Never got into any trouble. All everyone sees is what I am right now. I try not to let it bother me that even my family gives me strange looks. I take a deep breath and push back my shoulders. From this moment on, I will not give a shit about what people think of me. I’m going to be happy for once about being pregnant and enjoy