The Day the Music Died

WooHoo it's Writers Workshop Time over at MamaKats and you all know what that means. I get to choose a prompt and write about something that will fascinate you.

So this is the one I chose today: 6.) Write about the event that was the end of your childhood

The year is 1972, small town USA, college campus and I was 18.

T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

Add to this mix alcohol, young males of all makes and models, no curfew and living off campus in an apartment with my older sister and this just spelled disaster from the beginning.

I was there on a scholarship that was granted at the last minute and so I hadn't really planned any of this. I had a work study job for one of the professors and I also worked at a little eating place on campus. In between classes, I partied hard with my friends.

Life was good- Right?

Then a boy I knew (he was actually my cousin's ex boyfriend that I had always had a crush on) who had been in Viet Nam let me know he was coming home. I had written to him while he was in Viet Nam , partly because of the crush thing and partly because I thought it was a nice thing to do. I never dreamed he would look me up once he came home. Anyway the next thing I know, there he is on my doorstep.

My children should cover their eyes for this next part as they should not read this about their mother-

For the next 3 days, it is non stop drinking and sex for us. Hey what can I say- I was 18 and he was a man in uniform straight out of Viet Nam! Nothing sexier than that. And yes I was underage but it's amazing what you could get away with back then. Besides, he wasn't underage so he could buy and remember, I lived off campus so we spent alot of time in my apartment. Didn't leave my room much if you know what I mean.

Long story short a few weeks later, I'm barfing up my breakfast, lunch and dinner almost every day and can't understand what the hell is wrong with me. Can you say -PREGNANT?

I was in a state of denial at first cuz that couldn't happen to me. You know, it was my first time. It only happens to others not me. All those things went through my head. Then I faced reality and told him- he denied he was the father and wanted nothing to do with me or the baby. The Army would have helped me fight him and get support, but I figured if he was such an ass he didn't deserve to be part of this baby's life. So I quit school and with the help and support of my wonderful family I became a single mother at 19.

Eventually I met and married a man who helped me raise my daughter as his own and we had 2 other children together but for the first 2 1/2 years of her life I had to grow up fast. I was all she had. It's scary knowing a child is depending on you for things when you are still a child yourself.

Do I regret it- Not one moment. I wouldn't have the most wonderful daughter a mother could ask for if I changed anything. She changed my life in so many ways and I love her for it.

So grow up, quit being such a whiner and head over to Mamkats to read some other great stories of childhood endings.