Angel

I looked out the window at Lake Pontchartrain, clenching the necklace he’d given me, as my tears blurred the beautiful view.

Flashback

“What do you mean it broke?” I yelled as he held the shattered condom in his hand.

“I…I don’t know, it just broke while we, uh…” he stammered. My head fell into my hands, and I sobbed. He quickly sat next to me and pulled me into his arms, “Hey, Angel, it’s okay. I mean, what are the odds of something happening? Besides,” he said softly, lifting my chin, “There’s no one in this world I would rather have lost my virginity to than you. I love you, baby.”

I sighed, looking into his mesmerizing eyes, then kissed him softly, “I love you, too, Nova.”

End flashback

My hand fell to my swollen stomach as I cried. Why did he leave me?

“Matilda, come on down for dinner, Chère,” my grandmother’s voice carried down the hall.

“Coming, MawMaw,” I called back. “Come on, critter. She’ll get angry if we’re late for food.” I felt the baby kick at my hand and smiled. I thought to myself, 'I can do this.' Time to grow up and stop crying. Sure, I’m a teen mom, but that’s no excuse to sit around and cry all day. I have this little bébé depending on me now, and I’ll be damned if I let her down.