Big Change of Plans -- Text Version - Also Posted As An Audio

FYI: I'll be posting a bunch of my AUDIO files over the next few months, most from my 4 new AUDIO-CDs, along with many more text files from my several books of verse. (Only a few CDs and books left - 2-6-21). Because, as with most poets, it simply depends on the mood I’m in at writing time, my verse, as you’ll discover, varies greatly from lightheartedly comical pieces to meaningfully poignant works. If you happen to like my style, and appreciate the variety, please visit my website’s at - www.writerofbooks.com. Cheers, Soupers, Mark Absolutely positive we knew what we were doing, we’d sneaked around…and I mean sneaked…for six or seven months, Being oh-so-careful not to put ourselves at risk…certain she and I could beat the odds, when, all at once, Daisy started throwing up, sometimes twice a day…had headaches far more frequently, and when it came to food - Often had a craving for a few she rarely ate…or - couldn’t stand the sight of ones - depending on her mood! A few weeks later other little tell-tale signs appeared. Ones she wasn’t all that keen to bring to my attention. She started out reluctantly, “Now, Kevin, don’t get mad…but something scary’s happened that I thought I’d better mention. “I’ve missed my period twice now…get headaches all the time…and I’ve been feeling weak and nauseous almost every day. Maybe I should ask the school nurse to check me out,” then stood there waiting nervously, to see what I would say. “There’s gotta be a better way,” I tried to hide my fear. “Aren’t there little test kits you can buy most anywhere?” I could easily tell that both my disconcerting answer - and hitting her, unfairly, with my cold, expectant stare - Had only made her more upset, and when I’d calmed a bit, I told her, “Listen, hon… I’m sure the nurse will be discreet. We don’t want this gettin’ ‘round. Definitely not before we both have had a chance to tell our folks and - faced the heat!” “I agree completely,” she replied, “and if they feel that we’re not really ready for a child…we’ll have to choose. You know how much I love you…and I’d marry you today, in spite of what - for doing so - you must admit…we’d lose! “Amber Stone and Kelly Walker married last December. Both dropped out of school their junior year…and you know why. Their child was born in April…their folks are both dirt poor…and though he’s got a steady job, they’re barely getting by! “No diploma…either one…and little help from home…Amber said, at first, she’d planned to give their kid away, But Kelly had such confidence they’d make it on their own, he changed her mind, and now she says she’s glad he did today. GEDs can get ya’ by in little towns like Oxford, but if ya’ plan to make it big you need to raise your site. I’m certain, if I’m pregnant - that my folks ‘ll try like hell to talk me into doing what I’m sure they’ll think is right. “They’d rather have me terminate the pregnancy, I’m sure, than marry young - have a child - and never finish school. And when I look at all the girls that did what Amber did, it looks as though it’s pretty hard to argue…as a rule!” “To me it doesn’t matter what your parents have to say,” I countered her, “‘cause, honey…this is up to me and you! We’re in this thing together…and, before you jump the gun…let’s talk it out and give ourselves a chance to think it through. “See the nurse on Monday morning. If she says it’s, ‘Yes’… we’ll decide --- before we tell our folks --- what’s best to do. Mine ‘ll blow their tops as well. They’ve warned me many times! They’ve told me tales of how it usually goes…and most are true. “Cody Schaefer got his girlfriend pregnant last July. Her parents made her ‘end it’, but he hangs his head in shame Every time the subject of abortion comes to light. He said they’d actually gone as far as picking out a name! “There simply is no perfect way to fix the mess we’re in. There’ll be regrets for both of us - of sorts - no matter what! Abortion is the ‘easy way’, I guess, and…like you said…your parents will insist you have it done, and quickly, but, “I’d prefer the six of us sat down and talked it out. This changes things so drastically, it needs to be discussed, And if, in fact, the nurse confirms you’re going to have a child…you know we’re going to need advice from someone we can trust. “The nurse, of course, will have to tell your folks, but if she’s nice…she’ll give us just a little time to tell them face to face. We’ll tie the knot discreetly at the Justice of the Peace, then pool our funds and find ourselves an inexpensive place “That we can pay the rent on, for at least a couple months, ‘til I can find an evening job an’ get us up and going. I’m with you…we’ll do this right…but up ‘til classes end…let’s try, as long as possible, to keep the world from knowing. “We’ve not a leg to stand on where our parents are concerned. They told us not to mess with sex, but - we could not resist - And now, at only seventeen, we’ll definitely lose some chances we know that other kids who’ve done the very same have missed! “There’ll be some major hurdles, dear, but when it comes to clearing them…I’m absolutely positive we can… But - looking for a man who’ll never leave you on your own - is something you won’t need to do, ‘cause, Daisy…I’m that man!”