A Hard Conversation

Here is an exercise I did for my fiction writing class. Enjoy!!


It was five in the evening on a Friday of a long week. My plane would be landing in an about hour and my aunt would be picking me up at the airport. She also inspired me to go after my dreams.
“If I could back and change something in my life I would be that I got an education when I had a change,” my aunt would say. “I am too old now and have kids to take care of. Also Ryan would not know what to do with himself if I was busy studying all the time. He would definitely go back to his younger days and eat Top Ramen every day for dinner.”
How could I tell her this big news? Would she should be supportive or would she sit there in silence?

“Hi Aunt Jessica, How have you been” I would say, reaching out to give her a hug.
“Hello Anna, my darling, it has been busy. With Cody in karate and Lori in dance I have been driving around town all week. But enough about me, I want to know what you have been up to. How is school?”
“Well, it is funny you should ask…”
“Hey can you tell me on the way. We have reservations at Rose’s in 30 minutes and it being a Friday night I don’t want to lose our table.”
“Sure, no problem. Rose’s is my favorite restaurant. Is this a special occasion?”
“No darling, I just remembered you liked it. And since you have been working hard at school I thought you should deserve a treat.” We would then hop into the car and start to drive away. “How did the Ben Franklin paper go? Last we talked you were just finishing that up?”
“It went fine, got an A-.”
“High five! You are such a great student. I am so proud of you. What was it that you were going to tell me?”
“Well…mmm…I…mmm…..
“Can I help you?” The hostess interrupted.
“Yes we have reservations under Jessica at 7:30.”
“Right this way.”
We would sit down at a candle lit table; put our napkins on laps and fold open the menu.
“They changed their recipe for calamari, it’s actually fantastic now. I know you’ll love it. Last time I took you out you gulped that stuff down. Let’s order some to share.”
How could I tell her now? It would ruin the mood. She has been so nice to me.
“Can I take your order?”
“I am going to start with an iced tea and we will share some calamari to start.”
“Just water for me.”
“How is Mandy? I would go crazy if I had a roommate who bought boys over all the time. If I were you I would have told my RA when she kicked you out that Friday night. Where did she think you would go?”
“I don’t know. At least Carol let me stay with here. She has a futon in her room.”
“That’s right. How is Carol? She is such a sweet heart. When I took you guys out to dinner she had such great manners. “
“Carol is great; her softball team is going to the championships.”
“Glad to hear it. Anna, I don’t think I tell you enough how proud I am of you. You worked so hard in high school to achieve your dreams. You got good grades and never caused your mom much trouble. Most kids being raised by a single parent working all the time aren’t as self-motivated as you.”
“I just don’t want to have the same life as my mom. She works hard at two different jobs and barely makes enough money to pay the bills. Let alone my college. Thankfully Grandma helps out. I’m thankful I have such a supportive family.”
“We love you Anna. You are not a mistake or an accident but a blessing. Yes, we all would have hoped your mom would have been older when she had you. But the circumstances turned out amazing. Her actions, even though irresponsible, gave us you. And we are thankful that everything turned out. Sometimes it doesn’t. Some kids with young single parents do not get the attention they need. They may live in poverty or abusive homes. Or maybe those kids just become trouble makers. I am so glad you are not like that.”
“Here is your calamari. Are you ready to order?” The waitress would say, placing the plate in the middle of our table.
“Yes, we will have two pesto lasagnas.” She said and winked at me.
“You remembered my favorite. I haven’t been here in so long.”
“I would never forget anything about my niece. We talk almost every week.”
“Aunt Jessica, I love you and want to thank you for everything you have done for me. I feel like I could tell you anything.”
“Anna, I will love you no matter what. I will support you in any decision you make. Are you still thinking about changing your major?”
“No, …”
“Good, I think you would make a great History Teacher.”
“Umm…Aunt Jessica. Can I tell you something? “
“Sure anything.”
“Just promise not to speak until I am finished, okay?”
“Anna, you are starting to scare me. What happened?”
“Just promise, okay?”
“Alright, I promise.”
“Aunt Jessica…I….well….there was this guy I meet at this party. He was really cute and…”
“You have a boyfriend! How great! What is his name? I would love to meet him next time I visit you.”
“You promised you wouldn’t speak until I finished.”
“Oh, I am sorry my darling. Go ahead.”
“I am just going to go out right and stay it. Aunt Jessica, I’m pregnant.”
“Ladies and gentleman, we are beginning initial decent into Camilla International Airport. We should hit the ground in about 20 minutes. Please prepare for landing.