9781422288221

13

The Biggest Decision of Their Lives

The chairs squeaked across the linoleum floor as Mr. and Mrs. Brown sat down to face their children. They did not even notice the way their children squirmed, for truthfully, Mr. and Mrs. Brown were squirming inwardly as well. Jonathan’s first reaction to his mother’s news that she was preg- nant was relief. At least they haven’t discovered the beer cans , he thought with a sigh. After his initial relief passed, however, he con- templated his parents’ news. Why was everyone looking so serious? A new baby didn’t seem like that big of deal. In fact, it sounded like a pretty good thing. Jonathan had always been the baby of the fam- ily. Having a little brother or sister would be cool. Jonathan would be the big brother for once. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. While Jonathan was thinking about becoming a big brother, his parents were talking about money and sacrifices. Phillip wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that. “What kind of sacrifices?” Phillip won- dered aloud. “Well, for instance,” his father replied slowly, “the baby is going to need a bedroom. You and Jonathan might have to share a room for a while.” Phillip looked aghast at the possibility, but it was Krista who appeared most alarmed. “Why can’t the baby have my room?” she questioned, suspicion sharpening her voice. “I’ll be at college.” She knew something else was coming—something she wouldn’t like. Mr. and Mrs. Brown looked at one another. “Well, that’s another thing we’re going to have to discuss.” Mrs. Brown spoke in slow, careful words, and Krista held her breath. “We know you’ve had your heart set on going to college in California, but you have to understand that with a new baby, we just won’t be able to afford it.” Krista’s heart sank. It was a plot! All a plot to keep her home! “We know it’s not what you had hoped for,” Krista’s father put in. “But your mother and I think the best thing is for you to go to Kansas State and live here to save some money.”