Here I am again, continuing our journey through the ten-year-older plot of Seedfolks!
We have seen the fate of Florence, the 'watcher', and Amir, the man from India, who was the manager of a fabric store. We continue now with Maricela, the pregnant Mexican teenager.
Author's Note: This is the first chapter that is going to be a two-parter, even though it might not look like it at first.
Chapter Three: From Young to Adult Part One
*Maricela*
What do you think of when someone says 'It was a perfect storm'? I can tell you about mine: It was right here, in this spot, when I was working on the squash plants. Maybe it because of Leona's words, or because that storm happened to hit at that exact same time, or maybe it was because I was able to actually talk to someone and have them listen for a change.
Perhaps...I was just ready to listen.
Either way, almost immediately after that event, I did some hard thinking about things. I still wasn't thrilled about being pregnant but it wasn't the baby that got me into this situation - it was myself, plain and simple. After THAT painful (and embarrassing!) realization, I made a big decision. As I've already indicated, adoption was out of the question according to my parents - so you can imagine how the start of the conversation went. They told me that I HAD to take the responsibility.
I told them that if THEY realized they weren't mature enough to raise a baby right, what would be the most responsible course of action to take?
To say I stunned them is a understatement. They went quiet for what felt like an hour. Slowly, I told them about how I came to this conclusion: About the baby, and about myself. I don't really know what I expected when they started talking either, but my mom commented that that was the first thing I ever said during my pregnancy that did not sound like a compliant. About two weeks later, my daughter Flora was born and handed off to the nurses who then gave her to the adoption agency official.
Things were difficult afterwards: My dad was still upset - and how could I blame him? I essentially gave away his first grandchild - and I was privately suffering from regret and wonder. It wasn't until I got into a support group at my community college (I DID get that GED!) and met Gonzalo that I started feeling more confident that I HAD made the right decision but it was also okay to feel sadness about it as well.
I go to the garden still, like I'm doing now. Gonzalo maintains the spot his great uncle picked out almost ten years back. I accompany him but lately I've been by myself. I am not ready to tackle parenthood at the moment, but caring for the plants has made me feel closer to my daughter. I hope I can raise these plants right, and one day, I'll do the same with my other children.
Perhaps one day, you'll join me, I think to myself as I finish for the day. Gonzalo taps my shoulder and we start heading off-
"What's up?" he asks. I've noticed a girl, probably around nine or ten, talking to two boys who appear to be the same age.
"Hmm, nothing. Let's go." I reply but inwardly I'm thinking Not yet, if you are my little Flora. Both of us still have a bit of growing up to do.
Maricela's part was really hard to write, good grief! Maricela has managed to put her life back on track and give her child the best possible chance a teenage mom can give her kid. And it looks like Gonzalo is helping her! :D Like the name Flora?
IMPORTANT: As of right now, this story (and all others) are going to be ON HIATUS, probably until the Thanksgiving holiday. School is starting soon and there's no WAY I'll be able to keep up with homework and writing at the same time. I'll still be responding to PMs and such - it just may take awhile!
Staaay tuned...