Carol climbs up the stairs from her 9 to 5 job, at the local grocery store.
To her small two bedroom apartment that she struggles to afford.
She hears her daughter blaring music, as she walks through the door.
She walks down the hall; she stops at Alice’s door.
She sees her sitting there, crying on the floor.

Her mother never wanted this for her,
Shock stabs her heart like a dagger; she wanted her to have so much more.
The daughter that is only sixteen, the daughter that will make her a grandma at age 32.
Carol walks away, dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.
“I’m so sorry mama.” she pleaded.
As Carol blames herself, thinks “I didn’t give her the love she needed.”
She had do much hope for her only daughters life,
Not to become a mother, while not yet a wife.
Carol remembers when she was in her daughters shoes,
Remembers the suffering and pain her daughter is about to go through.

“This will not stop my dreams mama, I promise.” her daughter cries.
“I am still going to live the life I want to.” she promised.
“Baby girl, I want to believe you now, but I just do not see how. I just wish you would have waited” Carol stated.
“I will prove you wrong. Just wait, you will see.” Alice swore.
“I hope you do.” her mother claimed.
Alice got up and stormed out the door.
As it slammed with a thud,
Carol collapses in tears and curls in to ball on the floor.

Months pass by and the live
day
by
day.
Until eight months pass and Carol get a call
Alice is on the other end crying, “Mama it is time, I am on the way.”
Carol grabs her keys and rushed out the door running, but trying not to fall.
When she finally makes it to the hospital they tell her she is ready to push,
After twenty-five short minutes, Carol’s heart turns to mush.
A beautiful baby girl, Carolynn Marie,
“She is beautiful baby girl!” Carol exclaimed.

A few days after Carolynn turns 5 months old,
Alice comes in and says “Mama, I am going to college, I have to make her proud.”
Carol looks at her daughter, and begins to cry,
“I am so proud of you, beautiful daughter of mine.” Carol squeezes out between tears.

By Suzanna (2012)