This is a short story,
About my life, in hopes to help some of you young people learn to listen.I was born in Claxton Ga. we lived in Claxton Ga.for 7 years after I was born. I started 1st. grade there, we moved to Long county. I started 2nd. grade in Ludowici Ga. I went to the ninth grade, and dropped out of school, my first and biggest mistake in my life, at age 15 two months before my 16th birthday, I got married I thought I knew everything, don't we all at that age. I married Ernest Smith he was from Clio S.C. He was a good man and we thought we were in love. He had one problem though, he had a drinking problem.We married Sept.5 1972, Ernest was very good to me he just could not handle his drinking and didn't know when to stop. He never hit me but we argued a few times, but for the most part he showed me a lot of love, and it might have been great had it lasted. Now I find out I'm going to have a baby, and we are very happy. Ernest is on top of the world I'm happy this is all great. I'm 16 years old, I'm married and I'm going to have a baby. Now no one can tell me anything, I know what is best for me I can handle it all I don't need any one giving me advice, well it's almost time for the baby I'm really scared and so is Ernest. He want talk about it but he is really worried about me and the baby. Now we like about a month to go, my Mom tells him every thing will be ok. I just got so big carrying the baby it really worried him. I weighed 95 pounds. I think I gained about 56 pounds, only 5ft. tall, I looked and felt like a water buffalo, then my life really changed. We all take life for granted, Ernest decided its time for another little drinking spree He let me know right off that he had been doing good since I found out about the baby. He promises he won't drink to much, this was the third or fourth time I had seen Ernest drunk since we had married. He was doing fine to start with, I tried to get him to quit for the night but it did not work.Then of all things my two brothers got in a fight and Ernest got really mad at my older brother, so he went to hunt him, I knew things were getting out of hand by then. Ernest rode by the house several times that night, I finally got him to stop and I begged him to just come in the house, I even told him I thought I might be in labor. I really thought it was going to work but as I turned around to go in the house he raced off, I was so scared for him and he was too drunk to care anymore.This was about 1:45 in the morning, He came by the house at least two more times that night. I must have fallen asleep, the next thing I knew was the man Ernest rode to work with was outside blowing the horn for him. I can't describe what it was like to wake up and realize he was not there, I don't know how but I knew in my heart what had happened. My mom lived next door to us they already knew what had happened. My Mom was to scared to tell me the truth, so she sent my brother over to the house.They had already talked to my doctor and he told them to take me to the hospital. He wanted to be with me when they told me what happened.They thought I might go into labor when I was told, so my brother the same one Ernest was looking for that night came over. He was doing what he thought was best for me. The first thing I asked was if he knew where Ernest was, then I'm not sure why but I knew in my heart he was dead. I ask Leste, do you know where he is? He said Carol listen to me Ernest is ok, he got in a wreck last night, he's at the hospital we need to go now. So my Mom and a cousin took me to the hospital. On the way a little hope came back to me I felt so lost and so afraid when we went in the hospital. When I saw my doctor in the waiting room, I knew but I kept asking where he was.Then my doctor told me Ernest had been in a car wreck and that he died instantly. For a while I blamed my brother for giving me false hope but I know now he was doing what he thought was best for me at the time. Ernest died July,13,1973 - We'd been married 10 months, I was 16 then and our son was born Aug.8,1973. Twenty six days after his father died. I named him Ernest Smith Jr., I know his father would be so proud of him. I sort of lived in a daze for a while. Then I started leaving my son with his grandmother. (my Mom)I was going out a lot drinking and smoking pot.I was slowly going down hill, Then Gary came along. I knew him becacse his 1st.cousin was married to my brother(Lester) I'm not sure how it first came about, but my brothers wife (Charlotte), my Mom and my Sister(Patsy)thought Gary and I were meant for each other. My mom knew if I didn't settle down soon that there was no telling what my life would turn out to be like. I was really running wild. I thank God that I finely listened to my Mom for a change, I even called Ernest's Mother and she said the same thing my mom had told me. Gary and I did get married-Jan.29,1974.This Jan.29 we will be married 25 years. I guess my Mom did know what was best for me. Gary turned my life around, we are still very much in love and we respect each other as a person. Gary raised Ernest Jr., as his own and we have two children of our own. He never made a difference in the children. We did tell Ernest about his biological Father when we thought it was the right time. We are very happy and we have had our ups and downs, But we have learned how to work them out. You know if you always treat a person the way you would want that person to treat you, things will always work out but, if I had listened to my Mom to began with and had finished school there would be alot of things in life I wouldn't have went through at such a young age. So to all you young people out there, you know that when your Parents try to tell you something and you don't listen youre just hurting yourself. But I know you all think you have it under control, I did to, I soon found out. My mom was right. Just remember your parents love you, and will never steer you wrong. Now I know 90% of you are not going to listen, but that is ok, a lot of us have to find out things the hard way. I was one of them. So if just 10% gets anything out of this story I'll be very happy. Just remember all you adolescents out there that think you know best, when all your so called friends turn there back on you and you can't find anyone to help you your Mother and Father loves you know matter what. They might fuss at you, and try to tell you what you should do, but they Love you!! And they are the best friends you will ever have. We bring alot on our self by not listening to them I was one of the lucky ones. I did come around before it was to late and so can you if you just stop and listen. I wish you all a good and happy life, learn to listen, don't try to grow up to fast.
Carol
July 20,1998