"Mom, I'm carrying his child."

"What?" Her mother remarked slowly. She never lost sight of Jessie. "You are pregnant?" 

"Mom. Mom. Okay, so you can't be mad at me. Please, don't hate me?" 

"I don't hate you. I am just shocked.'' She continued to rub Jessie's hands. Oh Lordy, what a struggle her daughter has had to endure just to secure her future. "How old is the pregnancy?" 

"About a week and a half." Jessie nodded. "I didn't know until recently." 

"And he disapproved of the child? Was that why you were crying?" 

Jessie shook her head. "No. No mom. Din is unaware that I am expecting his child. I'm...