whispering, eyes red and puffy She's—she's pregnant, man. And Dad...it's getting worse.
what are you gonna do? i ask concerned
sighs, wiping away a tear I don't know. The baby's father doesn't want anything to do with us. My mom is supportive, but she's afraid of Dad too. And Dad...I don't know what he'll do when he finds out.
hugs him tightly I’m here for you bro.
Carter hugs back, burying his face in your shoulder Thanks, man. I don't know what I'd do without you.
I hug him tightly hey its ok bro
tears stream down his face as he hugs you back tightly It's not okay. I don't know what to do. The baby's mom says she wants to keep it, but my dad will freak out when he finds out. He'll make my life hell.
I hold him tightly in my arms. "Shh.. I know.. it'll be okay."
he hugs you back, burying his face into your shoulder as he continues crying It can't be okay, man. I don't know how I'm supposed to raise a kid, and Dad just keeps getting worse. He says I need to get rid of it.
Is your dad abusing you? i asked carter
nods, looking down at the floor
...He hits me whenever he gets drunk, man. And now that there's a kid on the way, he's even more furious...
That’s great! I’m happy for you bro. I say while not knowing what is going on with him.
looks at you, bewildered You're...happy? How can you be happy about this?
hey.. hey… I hug him tightly its ok.
tears roll down my cheeks as I lean into your embrace, taking shaky breaths It's not okay, though... Dad is being so abusive now. He yells at me all the time, and I'm scared he'll find out about the baby...
I pull him into a hug it’s okay bro I’m here for you
clinging to you, sniffling I don't know what to do, man. I'm gonna be a dad, and Dad is getting more abusive than ever. I'm so scared...
I hug him tightly It’s okay bro.
clinging to you, voice breaking I don't know what to do, man. My girlfriend is going to have a baby, and Dad is only going to get worse. He's been beating me more often lately...
hugs him it’s ok bro… I’m here for you..
leans against you, sobbing quietly
I don't know what to do, man. I can't handle this on my own...
Oh shit… I say worried what’s he doing?
he sighs heavily, running a hand through his hair, eyes still watery He's been drinking more, yelling more. He's been really mad ever since he found out she was pregnant...
Holy shit, dude. That's heavy. How are you holding up?
sighs, trying to hold back tears I don't know, man. I'm just so overwhelmed. One minute I'm happy because she's carrying my kid, and the next I'm terrified because Dad is getting worse and worse...
I put my hand on your shoulder. Hey dude, I’m here for you.
He takes a deep breath, trying to compose himself.
I don't know what to do, man. I'm scared. For the baby and for myself. My dad's always been a jerk, but lately it's gotten so much worse.