Changes for Samantha

Fifteen-year-old Samantha Sawyer lives in Daytona, Florida with her folks, Frederick & Sandra, and her two older sisters, Amanda & Erika. They live in a six-bedroom house. Samantha and Amanda share the same room since it had twin beds. They love that. The final room is the guestroom in case any of the girls’ friends sleepover or if one of them gets sick.

Samantha has four friends, Vanessa, Michael, Melissa, and Tonya. She even has a boyfriend, Jordan. They use birth control to be on the safe side, but Samantha decided to be responsible and raise her baby if she ever does get pregnant without exploring other options. She’s about to start ninth grade at Daytona High School in September. She’s an honor roll students with A plusses and plans on going to college. She’s not too sure where just yet. She was born on March 17, 1980.

Erika is 16. She was born on October 28, 1978 and will be turning 17 this year. She’s going to be a junior. Her boyfriend is Mike. They agreed to get married before having sex. She works for Payless Shoe Store.

Amanda, who’s about to start college, is 17 going on 18. She was born on August 3, 1977. She received a scholarship for Daytona Community College. She works for Subway and will continue during college so she can use her earnings for textbooks. Her boyfriend is Patrick. She wants to finish education and start a career before starting a family. She’s going to study to be a teacher. She loves children.

Samantha hasn’t been feeling well lately. Her stomach would bug her. On top of that, she feels nauseous.

She was shopping to buy birthday gifts for Vanessa, who’s turning 15 on July 5th. She’s having a party at her house that day. Her family would be coming. Samantha and her sisters decided to put their gifts together. She knows what Vanessa likes. The party is in three days.

Vanessa has diabetes and she’s very good at handling it. She was drinking a lot and would feel tired. When Samantha got concerned, she brought Vanessa to the nurse’s office to inform her mom right away. That was when she found out she was diabetic. Vanessa was glad Samantha, who got an award for being a great friend from the principal, did something right otherwise she’d be like that all day. That was when they were in middle school.

Later, at home, Samantha noticed she never started her period at all. She went to the family planning clinic in a flash with Amanda. Samantha spoke to a doctor alone about the signs she was having. That was when she learned she was pregnant. She was only seven weeks and will be due on March 13, 1996, shortly before she turns 16.

They talked about options, but Samantha already knew what to do; keeping her baby to fix her mistake.

“Aren’t you too young to have a baby?” asked the doctor.

“Well... I promised myself I would do the responsible thing and raise my baby,” explained Samantha.

On the way home, Samantha told Amanda the news.

“I’m scared to tell Mom and Dad,” said Samantha.

“I’m sure you’d do fine. They’d be glad you went to them to tell them so they can help you,” said Amanda.

“I’m planning to raise the child anyway,” said Samantha.

“Are you sure you don’t want to explore any other options first?” asked Amanda.

“Positive. I always told myself that’s what I would do to fix my mistake,” Samantha told her sister. “Mom works for a graveyard shift at a nursing home, so I’m sure she’ll help out to baby-sit while I’m in school and while doing homework or study. I don’t count on Dad since he works. You and Erika each have jobs, so I won’t expect you either of you.”

“That’s okay. We can help out at night,” said Amanda. “I work from 11:00am to 8:00pm. My hours will be different when I start college. Most of them are after my final class. I already had a schedule and I’m showing to my boss so he’ll know. Classes begin in late August.”

They talked about when will be the best time to tell their parents. Samantha came up with a plan.

That night, Samantha went in the living room where her parents were watching TV and said, “Is it a good time to talk about something?”

“Sure. What’s up? You were pretty quiet during dinner,” said Frederick.

“I’m pregnant,” replied Samantha. “I was worried on how you would react.”

“It’s okay to tell us anything, honey,” said Sandra.

“I’m going to raise the child to fix my error since I promised myself that’s what I would do,” said Samantha.

“It’s good to be responsible,” said Sandra.

“Some teens do that unless they change their minds to complete their education first,” said Frederick.

“I’m still planning to attend college, but I’m not so sure where yet,” said Samantha.

“I’ll be willing to help you by baby-sit while you’re in school, do your homework, and so you can study since I work from 11:00pm to 7:00am,” said Sandra.

“Okay, sounds great. I don’t want to count on Dad since he works and might be tired after he comes home from work. Amanda said she and Erika can help out, too. Mom goes to bed at 8:00pm for two hours before she leaves for work,” said Samantha.

“We can use the guest room for the nursery room,” said Sandra.

“Good idea,” agreed her daughter.

“When are you due?” asked Frederick.

“March 13, 1996, just four days before my birthday,” said Samantha.

“Would Jordan want to help you as well?” asked Frederick.

“I’m sure he can. I’ll have to inform him. I’ll be seeing him at the party, so I’ll tell him then. I’ll also let my friends know,” answered Samantha. “We plan to hang-out at the mall after the party since it’s from 1:00 to 3:00pm. I might actually wait until then to tell them.”

“That would be the best time to do so,” commented her father.

After they talked, Samantha felt better to have support from her parents.

The next day, Samantha felt nauseous.

“It’s a morning sickness. It happens to any pregnant women. It’s normal. I had that feeling while I expecting you and your older sisters,” explained Sandra. “Then, I’d feel fine afterward.”

“Oh,” said Samantha.

“You can ask me about anything if you have any questions,” said Sandra.

“Okay, sounds like a good plan to me,” agreed her daughter.

She had water and felt better after 10 to 20 minutes. She was glad she can count on her mother on anything. She was off from work for the week and would go back to work on Sunday. She likes the night shift to spend time with her family during the day. She’s been there for over 20 years. She wanted to do it ever since she was a child. Daytona Nursing Home is her first job. She doesn’t plan to change at all. She loves her co-workers, boss, and all of the residents. Some even died while she works the graveyard shift.

Samantha’s thinking of being a dentist, eye doctor, or hairstylist. She’ll decide when she applies for college.

Two days later, Samantha left by 12:45 pm with her sisters who were going to the party. They before 12:55 pm since Vanessa’s house is only 15 minutes away by car. The party started five minutes later.

The group went in the pool for a bit before it was time for cake. The theme was The BackStreet Boys. Vanessa loved it. That was what she wanted. After they had cake, Vanessa opened her presents and enjoyed them. After the party has ended, the group left about 10 minutes after the guests did to go to the mall like they planned.

At the mall, Samantha told her friends and Jordan the news.

“Wow. How come you didn’t tell us at the party?” asked Vanessa.

“I wanted to wait until now and my parents agreed that I should,” replied Samantha. “I’m only seven weeks and I’ll be due right before I turn 16.”

“That’s cool,” said Melissa.

Jordan had no idea what to expect.

“Would you be willing to help?” asked Samantha. “I decided to raise the child to fix that mistake.”

“Well... I suppose you’re right. Okay, I’ll help out,” said Jordan.

“At least you would unlike any guys,” said Vanessa as the others agreed.

“And, I’m sure we’d do great,” added Samantha.

“That’s true,” said Jordan.

He knew he can raise the child to fix his mistake although he felt bad. That’s what he told her.

“Mistakes do happen,” Samantha pointed out. “No one is perfect.”

They ate in the food court before they decided to see a movie.

After that, Amanda picked the group up and brought them home except for Vanessa who was sleeping over. She already had permission.

The girls did makeover by painting each other’s nails and played with each other’s hair. They both had braids after they got comfy in their nightgowns. They watched two more movies. They chatted about everything. They didn’t go to bed until it was around 11:00pm. They whispered until they both fell asleep 10 to 20 minutes later.