As she sat in the school bus, she contemplated her grim future sadly and how she was going to handle her daddy. Her mother wasn’t a problem at all; the only problem always was her father. There was no doubt in her mind he will literally skin her alive. She sighed resignedly, taking a cursory look at the school matron who accompanied her. All through the journey, she didn’t for once look her way or utter a single word to her. She avoided her as if she was a leper or some poisonous snake.
Luckily for Jessica, none of her parents were at home when they got home. She was glad because she needed time to pull herself together. The school authorities had detailed the matron to make sure she sees either of her parents before coming back. However, the matron was somehow lucky as Jessica’s mother came back to pick up something she forgot at home barely ten minutes after they arrived to the relief of the matron.
Mrs. Nnamani was shocked when she saw her daughter with the matron at home. Her shock soon turned into anger and consternation when she found out the reason for their unexpected visit.
“How long has this been going on and why didn’t you deem it fit to inform me on time?” she’d queried the matron, desperately trying to conceal her anger and disappointment.
“Actually, we just discovered she was pregnant a couple of days ago and all our efforts to correct the problem proved abortive because we know the embarrassment it will cause, both to you as a parent and to us as educators but Jessica deliberately frustrated all our efforts,” the matron explained.
“How do you mean?”
“Ma, I don’t know how to tell you this, but she is stubborn, unrepentant and should I say, self- destructive. So after much persuasion, we decided to bring her back home, maybe she will listen to you.”
“So what you mean to tell me is that you could not keep your eye on a naive 15 year old, is that what you want me to believe?”
“We are sorry, ma. We did our best, but she was unbending.”
“You’ve been a terrible mistake. And I want to say I regret ever sending my daughter to your school.”
“We are sorry Madam,” she repeated again.
“You are sorry, is that all that you have to say? You are sorry for ruining my daughter’s life?”
“We did our best, Ma.”
“Then your best is not good enough. I wonder how you are going to explain this to my husband.”
“We are truly sorry, Ma but she wouldn’t cooperate. She is very stubborn.”
“What do you want me to do now?”
“It wouldn’t happen again.”
“What won’t happen again? Mrs. Nnamani snarled, regarding her with hatred in her eyes. “Please, get out of my house, now.”
As soon as the matron left, Doris went to Jessica’s room. She was lying in bed, starring at the ceiling, engrossed in thoughts and stricken with fear. She didn’t even notice when her mother came into the room.
“Oh, angel, don’t tell me it’s true,” her mother cried.
Jessica turned and faced the opposite wall, trying desperately to suppress the tears swelling up.
“How come? What happened, baby,” she cried. “Don’t tell me it’s true. Oh my God! I’m finished. Why, baby, why?”
“Mummy, I’m sorry. It’s true,” Jessica sobbed. “It was safe sex. That’s what happened. I swear, it was.”
“It’s okay, darling,” her mother said, pulling herself together. “These things do happen. Wipe away your tears, your daddy would be definitely traumatized, but I think I can handle that. Have you taken anything?”
“No, mummy. I don’t feel like eating.”
“No, you must eat something. Come with me to the kitchen.”
“Mummy, I’m sorry, I just didn’t know I could get pregnant. I swear, I didn’t know. I used condoms always.”
“It’s alright, darling. These things do happen. But don’t worry it’s going to be okay. Let’s go to the kitchen and see what’s there.”
“Thank you, mummy,” she said, following her to the kitchen.
“Don’t worry. Let me see what we’ve got here,” she said, opening one of the big fridges in the kitchen. “Where is this girl?” she asked, referring to the cook. “Where on earth did she keep the fresh fish stew?” she asked rhetorically. Turning to Jessica, she said. “You will like the fresh fish stew. I made it especially for your daddy just today.”
She nodded.
“That’s my girl,” her mother said as she dished out some for her with a little rice.
“Tastes good,” Jessica said, taking more spoonfuls.
“I told you you’ll like it, didn’t I?”
“It’s delicious.”
They ate in silence for a moment.
“Now tell me, I was told that you refused to abort the pregnancy, why? Don’t tell me it’s because you do not trust the doctors there and the unhygienic condition? Well, you don’t have to worry; the best is what I’m going to give you. You know you are my only child and I’ll do what’s best for you. Tomorrow I’ll take you to one of my friends, she’s a gynecologist by profession.”
“But…but mum, I don’t want an abortion, I want to keep the baby.”
“I understand how you feel, my dear,” her mother said. “But the question is; is motherhood safe for you and is it the wisest thing to do now? The emphasis is on safety and now. Motherhood is good but the problem is that it is medically unsafe for a girl of your age to give birth. You are only 15, you know? Besides, there is also your future to consider and your place in the society. You should also take into consideration your father’s presidential aspiration and the dent it might have on his political image. You know it will be a big minus to his political career or don’t you want to be the president’s daughter? I don’t know what you want but for me, I want to be the president’s wife. Yes, I want to be the first lady of this country one day and that won’t be long.”
Damn it, she thought. She has always known it, always said it that they were only interested in themselves and in their damn ambitions– vain ambitions. That’s their only motivation. Name, money, reputation, fame and what have you-those are the only thing on their minds, she thought sadly. They have no consideration for her or any other person for that matter.
“Honey, keeping the pregnancy will not only bring untold hardship,” her mother was saying. “But it will bring shame and ridicule to the good name we have so painstakingly tried to build.”
Jessica looked at her squarely and said. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, mum, but I’m keeping the baby.”
Her mother nearly went berserk, but she pulled herself together on time. She knew patience and tolerance were the only ways to handle strong willed adolescents like Jessica.
“Well, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. But I just wish you would reconsider your position in this matter.”