The next day, Dr. Duarte knew what Dr. Mills was giving me trouble and was glad he was suspended for a few days to teach him a lesson not to do it. That's what Dad told me when he came home from work before I went to school. She says he had no rights to tell me what I can do or not. I was right not to say anything to the adoptive couple or specialist.
At school, I went to the principal's office because we're having another student today.
"There she is," said the principal.
"I remembered we'd be having a new student today," I said.
"Yes, this is Mary Ellen," said the principal. "She was the one whose mother you met yesterday."
"That's right," I said.
"I printed out the schedule to be in the same classes like I did last time for you and Lily Ann," said the principal.
"Okay," I said.
"Well, have fun on your first day here," said Mary Ellen's mom, Hillary Powers.
"Thanks," said Mary Ellen.
We left at the same time while Mary Ellen and I headed to our classes.
"So, are you around in this area?" I asked.
"Yes, I moved from Florida," said Mary Ellen. "It was just me and my mom. My dad's out of the picture. He left us when I was a baby and haven't seen him since. We don't know where he is."
"I know how you feel," I said.
"You do?" asked Mary Ellen.
"My mom did the same thing leaving me and Dad alone since I was four. She recently came back in the picture. I only visit her when my father works the last shifts. I'm from California. We didn't know she was here for the whole time. He just remarried and I regained a stepmother & stepsister," I said. "My stepsister and I have been best friends for a long time growing up in California."
"Wow," said Mary Ellen. "My mom used to live in California until she moved to Florida. That was where she went to college, met and married my father."
"What part of California? I'm from Los Angeles," I replied.
"Really? So was she," said Mary Ellen. "What was your dad's name?"
"Robert Moore," I replied.
"I believe she knew him. I'd have to ask her," said Mary Ellen. "My mom's name is Hillary Powers."
"Wasn't her maiden name is Miller before Powers?" I asked.
"Yes," said Mary Ellen.
"Wow. I thought so. Dad remembers your mother. They were friends for many years," I said.
"Isn't that something?" asked Mary Ellen.
"I know. In fact, Dad told me he's your godfather," I said. "Stephanie's mom is Miranda."
"Mom knows her, too. She and her first boyfriend used to have double dates with each other during high school," said Mary Ellen.
"Actually, he dated my mom. He and Miranda were just friends. She was dating Stephanie's father at the time," I said. "Miranda has been living in California since she was a teenager. She was from here in Rhode Island."
"Oh, yeah, I forgot she told me it was a triple date," said Mary Ellen. "What happen to Stephanie's parents when her mom remarried your dad?"
"They got divorced," I replied. "Her ex recently killed himself and poor Stephanie was upset."
"Wow," said Mary Ellen. "My mom did remember seeing your father and Stephanie's mom in Florida."
"She did? They went there for their honeymoon," I said.
"Yes. We were at Sonny's when she spotted them and you should've seen how happy she was to see them again," said Mary Ellen.
"I believe it," I said.
At lunch, Mary Ellen sat with me when the others joined.
"Stephanie, this is Mary Ellen. Here's the funny part: her mom remembers your parents," I said.
"I know. My mom told me about it a long time ago," said Stephanie.
"It's a small world," said Mary Ellen.
"I know," said Stephanie.
"Do you live around here?" I asked.
"Not far from here. Just one block," said Mary Ellen. "In fact, I live next door to Stephanie's grandmother. I met her."
"No kidding. Did she remember your mom?" asked Stephanie.
"Yes. It was funny to have her as a neighbor," said Mary Ellen. "She hasn't seen Mom since she moved to Florida. In fact, she baby-sat Mom many times a long time ago."
"Really?" asked Stephanie.
"Mom remembered your grandmother. She was a little girl and your grandmother was a teenager," said Mary Ellen. "Your grandmother adored my mother."
"Nice," said Stephanie.
"Isn't that something?" I asked.
"I know," said Mary Ellen.
After school, we all walked together. Samuel wasn't in school. His mom was hospitalized since last night. She collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. He was upset because she just got cancer. His mom told him it was caught early enough. He wanted to spend time with her. That was okay with me. He said he should be in school tomorrow. I said he can wait and see on how he feels first. He was fine with it.
Mary Ellen went to her street while Stephanie and I kept walking.
"I wonder even though your father's dead, I still like to see our friends in California more often," I said.
"Me, too," said Stephanie. "We could stay at a friend's house there while we visit the girls."
"True," I agreed. "Glad we got Janet and Sarah to see."
"Yeah," said Stephanie.
At home, I noticed Samuel was over. He was on the porch. Something must be wrong.
"That was a surprise. Is everything okay with your mom?" I asked.
"She had suffered a heart attack while hospitalized while I was with her and she passed away from it," said Samuel.
"Wow, that's a shame. I'm sorry for your loss," I said.
"Me, too," said Stephanie.
"Thanks," said Samuel. "My father was at work, but I didn't want to call and tell him, so should I wait until he comes home from work. My sister said I should wait until then."
"Angela is right," I said. "Would your father understand?"
"I'm sure he would," said Samuel. "I would have to figure it out how to break the news to my father. He's going to be heartbroken for sure."
"I know," I agreed.
"Do you want one of us to go with to tell your father?" asked Stephanie.
"I think that would help," replied Samuel. "You both can be with me."
"Okay," I said. "Let us know when you're ready. What time your father gets out of work?"
"In about an hour," said Samuel.
An hour later, Samuel texted me his father just got home and he was ready for us to be with him to break the news about his mom's passing. Stephanie and I went over to Samuel's. That was when we went over to his father, who was in the living room.
"Can we talk for a moment?" asked Samuel.
"Sure. How was your mother?" asked Mr. Johnson.
"That's what we need to talk about. I was with her when she had a heart attack and she died," said Samuel.
"How come you didn't call me at work?" asked Mr. Johnson.
"I didn't want to bother you while you were at work, which is why I waited. Angela agreed with me on that," said Samuel. "Plus, I didn't know how to break the news to you since you love Mom very much."
Mr. Johnson somehow understood what Samuel was saying.
"I get it now," said his father.
Samuel was depressed for the next few days and he didn't attend school at all. He didn't attend his mom's funeral services. He missed her too much. That's how I was when Mary Jane died. Only I wasn't depressed. I just didn't attend any of her services. That was painful, so I know how Samuel feels on that. He didn't return to school until Monday. Her funeral was a Saturday at Russell J. Boyle and Son Funeral home. She was buried at St. Ann's Cemetery.
On Tuesday, Mary Ellen, Stephanie, and I went to the mall after school. Our parents knew about it. Samuel decided to be with us so he can forget about his mother. That was fine by us. We spent the day there and decided to stay there for dinner. My dad and Miranda were going out to a comedy play at Providence Performance Arts Center and they were going to eat dinner before that, so it was perfect for me and Stephanie spend the day with Mary Ellen. We were just showing her around at the mall. She liked it and noticed how big the Providence Place Mall was.
"My mother works at Dave and Buster's," I said.
"Wow," said Mary Ellen.
"She's probably gone home by now," I said. "I spend overnights there when my dad works the final shift on weekends and sometimes during the week if I'm not busy being with Samuel."
"That's good," said Mary Ellen.
"Yeah. It was better than being alone. At least I'd have Stephanie to keep me company now," I said.
"I know. It's fun to be her stepsister. We rather call ourselves sisters since we're very close," said Stephanie.
"My house is a two-bedroom, so she and I had to share my room, but I didn't care," I said.
"We both enjoy it," said Stephanie.
"Cool," said Mary Ellen.
"That's why I went for adoption for the baby," I said.
"I don't blame you. It would be tough to raise a child in a two-bedroom house," said Mary Ellen.
"I know. My dad would've been too tired to look after the child because he naps for a few hours after working the last shift, which is 11:00 pm to 7:00 am. Plus, he works a double shift if he's needed," I added. "Dad was very supportive with my decision."
"It's good to have parents to support anyone's decision," said Mary Ellen.
"And, Samuel and I just started dating. We're too young to be parents. We plan to go to college after high school. We rather wait until we get married before having kids. We want to have a career. And, we're too young if we want to be together for the rest of our lives," I said.
"That's true," said Mary Ellen. "When are you due?"
"In June," I replied. "I already found a family for the baby."
"We don't believe in abortion," added Samuel.
"I don't either," said Mary Ellen.
Later, Mary Ellen wanted to be alone with me for a few minutes. She had something to tell me.
"We'll meet you in the food court," I said.
"Okay," said Samuel as he and Stephanie started to head over to the food court.
"What's up?" I asked.
"There's something I'm worried to tell Mom about," said Mary Ellen. "First of all, I had a boyfriend in Florida, but we had to break up since we're too young to have a long distance relationship. We planned to get back together in the future. I took birth control. Then one day, I must have forgot to take one. I just learned I'm pregnant yesterday. I'm scared to tell Mom. She and I have a close relationship and I'm scared that would destroy that."
"I know how you feel. I was like that. I was worried to tell Dad at first, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. He told me mistakes happen. But Samuel and I aren't ready to take on responsibility yet like I said before," I said.
We talked about on how to tell her mother later on.
"I'm not sure what I want to do," said Mary Ellen. "I don't want to be a single parent. I want to complete school before getting married and have kids. The only one who knows is Ethan, who was my boyfriend. He felt sorry for what happen. I texted him as soon as I found out. I would like to know how far I am before making a choice."
"I'm sure your mom would support your decision like my father did," I said.
"Can you help me tell her?" asked Mary Ellen.
"Sure," I replied.
"We can go tell her when we leave here," said Mary Ellen.
"Okay," I said. "Samuel's sister, Angela, had a baby before I moved here and gave up for adoption. She had no regrets. Her boyfriend and family were very supportive with her decision. She was only 16 at the time. She's almost 17 now."
"Wow," said Mary Ellen. "Ethan says he'll support my decision."
"If you're not ready to be a parent, pick an option that is right for you," I said.
"I might do to the same thing like you're doing. I don't want to do abortion," said Mary Ellen. "I don't like that thought."
"If you feel adoption is the right choice for your baby, go for it. I know where we can go. That's where I went to find a couple for my child," I said. "I'll go with you."
"Okay. Thanks," said Mary Ellen.
After we talked, we joined the others at the food court.
"We waited for you guys to come before we went to order to save a table," said Stephanie.
"That's fine," I said.
"We were just having a girl talk," said Mary Ellen.
"We're just going to hang out at her house when we leave here," I said.
"Okay," said Samuel.
"But she wants me to be alone with her if that's okay," I said.
"Not a problem," said Stephanie.
"We'll explain later," said Mary Ellen.
"Alright," said Samuel.
We had Subway and it was a good meal. Then, we went to see a movie. After that, we left the mall. Mary Ellen explained about what was she worried about.
"I understand," said Stephanie.
"Becky was great because she knew what I was going through," said Mary Ellen.
"I know," said Samuel. "We felt bad about it, but everyone makes mistakes."
"That's what I said, too," I said. "She asked me to go to her house with her so she can tell her mom. She's nervous about destroying the close relationship they have."
"I don't blame her," said Stephanie. "Becky and I did the same thing when we had to the break news to Samuel's father about his mother."
"And, my father understood I didn't want to call him at work," added Samuel.
"That was a smart choice," said Mary Ellen.
"I know," said Samuel. "It was tough at first, but we're doing okay."
"That's a good thing," said Mary Ellen.
Then, Mary Ellen and I went inside her house.
"Hi, aren't you Robert's little girl, Rebecca?" asked Hillary.
"Yes," I replied.
"I know him for a long time," said Hillary. "I also knew your mom."
"Mary Ellen and I talked about that," I said.
"Do you have time to talk?" asked Mary Ellen.
"Sure," replied Hillary as we sat at the kitchen. "What's up?"
"I'm not sure how to tell you this, but I'm pregnant. The only thing is that I don't want to be a single parent. Becky is great because she knew what I went through," said Mary Ellen.
"Mine is getting adopted. My dad's supportive. I had a few reasons for it," I said.
"So, I would like to do the same," said Mary Ellen. "I want go to college after high school."
"I understand," said Hillary.
"Becky says she knows a place where we would go for adoption since that's where she went," said Mary Ellen.
"She can show us how to get there tomorrow," said her mom.
"I have the number at home. I can give it to you if you would like me to," I said.
"That would be great. Thanks," said Mary Ellen.
"No problem," I said.
We're glad her mom is being supportive about the decision.
"I'm thankful," said Mary Ellen.
"My reasons are almost the same as her, but there are a few others. My house is too small. It has a two-bedroom house, my dad works the final shift and double shifts often if he's needed, he likes to nap after he comes home for a few hours, I'm 15, and Samuel & I are too young to raise kids. We had just started dating and want to wait until after college to get married in case things didn't work out," I explained.
"I don't blame you. You're doing the right thing for you, your baby, and father," said Hillary.
"I know. I'm glad Dad was great when I choose to do give my baby up for adoption," I said. "I have no regrets to do it."
"That's good," said Hillary.
"And, I didn't want to drop out of school or to stay back if I was up all night with the baby if I ended up raising it. I rather wait until I get married to do so," I said.
"That's true," said Hillary.
Ten minutes later, she offered to bring me home.
"If you want the number now, I can go in to get it," I said.
"Sure," said Mary Ellen.
That's what I did. I wrote it down and came back out to hand it to Mary Ellen.
"Thank you so much for your help," said Mary Ellen, who felt much better.
"Not a problem," I said with a grin.
"We can call there tomorrow when you get home from school," said Hillary.
"I like that idea," said Mary Ellen.
"Thanks for the ride. See you tomorrow," I said.
"You're very welcome," said Hillary.
"Bye," said Mary Ellen.
I went back inside while they drove off.
"How did it go?" asked Stephanie.
"Very well. Mrs. Powers was very supportive about Mary Ellen's decision to give up her baby for adoption," I replied.
"That's good," said Stephanie.
We talked about it some more while I was doing homework. Our parents came home just two hours before we went to bed. Dad was off so he didn't have to rush for work. He was glad about it. We went to bed at 10:00 pm and we whispered in bed for a bit until we went to sleep about ten to twelve minutes later. This is the best part to be sisters.