A Girl Named Hope

Expecting

Amandla brushed her teeth and got ready for school at Kofi’s house, where she spent the night at. Her sister Winnie, had already been informed and called Amandla each hour to check on her. What Amandla’s sister and Kofi’s parents didn’t know was that she was expecting. Amandla had just taken a pregnancy test that was positive. She was overjoyed with excitement, and overflowed with fear. She couldn’t believe that she’d be having a baby.

        Amandla finished brushing her teeth and headed into the kitchen where Kofi was at. She sighed and thought about what to say. Guess who’s having a baby? No...We need to talk. If I said I was pregnant, would you leave me? She took a deep breath and said “We need to talk..”

        “What’s wrong?” Kofi asks concerned.

        “I’m pregnant.”

        He lets out a nervous laugh and smiles at her. “You’re joking right?”

        “No.” She says looking down at her toes.

        “What?” Kofi says shocked. “I’m excited for us, but… This will affect everything we have, the trust, and who knows what!”

        “Are you going to leave me?”

        “No.” Kofi says while putting his hand on his chest. Kofi was shocked with fear. He didn't want to believe it. But he did. "So what do we do now?"

       "I don't know." Her heart fluttered inside her chest. She could hear it thump in there. There was a life inside her, waiting to be born she knew. She put her hand on her belly and sighed in relief.

       "What do I tell my parents?" Kofi asks her.

       "The truth." Amandla gulps.

        "The truth about what?" Latricia asks.

        "Mrs. Andrews, I'm pregnant."

        "Very funny." Latricia snickers.

        "I'm serious."

         Latricia closes her eyes and pretends she didn’t hear her say that. "Somebody pinch me!" She cries. "What about your future, your plans, your goals?" she rants.

        "Forget them. I'll have to postpone them."

        "You don't have to keep the baby, and you don't to have it." Latricia says while trying to give her options.

        "I want to keep it." Amandla says in a serious tone. "I'm not going to be selfish, there's a life inside of me. A mini me, after all. And I'm going to take good care of it." Amandla rubs her belly. Latricia scoffs.

        "Can't you just accept her, Latricia?" Kofi asks her.

        "No, I can't." She says angrily. "You have to take care of the kid anyway. It might not even be yours."

        "It is my child."

        "What are you going to tell her sister?"

        "I don't know."    

        "This is ridiculous." Latricia says while reaching for the telephone. She slowly hands it to Amandla. "Here."

         Amandla dials Winnie's number and waits for it to ring. It finally rings and Winnie picks up. "Hello?" Amandla says.

            "What's wrong kiddo? You seem tense." Winnie asks.

        She takes a deep breath and says, "I'm pregnant."

             "What?! I can't believe this." Amandla could hear Winnie whispering through the phone. All she could hear was, what did I do wrong? I should've been there more. Why did I let her spend the night! "Are you serious?"

               "Yes."

              "Alright, well.." Winnie pauses. "I should take you to the doctor."