No. #15

"I talked to the one person about it. It was my counselor. I just felt like I could talk to him about anything. He told me, "I know you. You can get through anything. You can go through hell and back." And that gave me a lot of motivation, because I've never had anybody talk to me like that."

I know I was an unplanned pregnancy. But my parents made it work. My mom was 18, she had barely finished school. My mom was struggling to get over here to the United States, because she had to go back to Mexico. Fortunately, she made it in time, and I ended up being born in Newport. My dad just quit a job that he really liked, and started working in construction. I lived with my grandma for 13 years without seeing my parents. And then 13 years later, I ended up moving back with them. I felt like I had to mature really quick. Because I was living with my grandma at the time, I felt like I had to be a protector in a way. I feel like when you're without parents, you have to grow up really quick.

Nothing was ever handed to my parents. Especially my dad. Everything he ever did was for me and my family, so I can understand him having to leave for a while.

I'm gonna really quick learner, and people say I'm way more mature than the most 18 year olds. I'm an assistant manager now at 18, so that feels really good. And I really owe it to my dad.

There were two times where I thought I was gonna be a father. I was working at Del Taco making minimum wage, and there was no way I was gonna be able to afford that. But now I have a higher paying job. So when my girlfriend and I had a pregnancy scare recently, I wasn't that scared. When you're living a comfortable life, knowing that you have money, it's easier. And with this girl, I feel like I really have a future with her.

My dad's the breadwinner. So I knew that was on my shoulders. Anything money related, I had to take care of. I wouldn't want to be a father right now, because I don't personally feel like I could take care of someone if I can't really take care of myself.

I remember when she told me she thought she was pregnant, I got really shaky, because I knew that was all on me. Like, how am I supposed to support my girlfriend and a kid? I'm that person that doesn't like being dependent on other people. So I knew that was all on me.

I tried to calm her down as best as I could. I told her, "You know what, it's gonna be gonna be okay. Whatever happens, it's gonna be fine. Whatever route you choose to take, I'll be there with you. And I'll support you." That really kind of like eased her mind.

Because of my new job. I felt way more secure, way more financially stable. Her mom knows me. She knows like I'm good people. Everybody in her family likes me. So I wasn't really worried about the family party. And I felt more at ease.

It's about the money, man.

I talked to the one person about it. It was my counselor. I just felt like I could talk to him about anything. He told me, "I know you. You can get through anything. You can go through hell and back." And that gave me a lot of motivation, because I've never had anybody talk to me like that.

Whatever life gives you, you got to take it, make the best of it. That's kind of what I learned. Whatever this world decides to give me or put me through, I just have to learn from it, take it, and do something with it. Hopefully positive.