Coming of Age

A Bad Choice

(That night at the Crock's apartment.)

"Knock, knock."
"Get it, Paula!" Lawrence grumbles.
"Calm down, Lawrence. I'm getting it...Jade?"
"Hi mom. Can I...sigh...can..."
"Yes, sweetheart. Yes. Come in quietly. Your father is grumpy."
"Ok. Uh...thanks."
"Let me help you get unpacked." Paula walks Jade to her former room, closing the door.
"Honey, what happened?"
"Roy....he won't let me stay with him anymore." Jade says as she sits on her bed.
"Why?"
"He can't afford it."
"Oh? Why's that?" Paula irritatedly crosses her arms.
"Mom, I'm pregnant." Jade lowers her head.
"Sigh...somehow I knew you were gonna say that."
"You did? How?"
"Honey, you came back after a week of living with your boyfriend and want a place to stay. Why else would you be here?" Paula sits next to Jade, wrapping her arm around her.
"Mom...I'm so stupid! I...I thought he..."
"Shhhh, baby. I know. I know, honey." Paula hugs her.
"And you're not stupid. We all make mistakes."
"I wish I never saw him again." Jade exclaims as tears fall down her face.
"I know, my baby. But everything will be ok."
"Mom, I don't know what to do. Roy doesn't even want a baby."
"Well he should've thought about that before goofing around."
"He said I can't stay with him until things are stable."
"Oh? So he wants to be with you?"
"I guess, but I told him to never come back again."
"I understand. I probably would've said the same thing. Get some sleep, honey. Things will be better in the morning." Paula kisses Jade's head before leaving.

(The next morning.)

"Riiiiinnnnnngggg, riiiiiiiinnnnngggg."
"Hello?"
"Jade! Hi!"
"Who is this?"
"Oh, sorry. It's Barbara Gordon. Remember?"
"Barbara, hey. It's nice to hear from you."
"Same! Anyways, I just wanted to see if you want to hang out later."
"I'd really like that, Barbara."
"Really? I mean, great! I'll meet you at Judy's Diner at 3:00. Ok?"
"Sounds good. See you then." Jade hangs up.
"Honey? You awake?" Paula knocks on the door.
"Uh...yeah! I'm up!"
"Good. I made your favorite. Chocolate and blueberry pancakes. Come on out and eat."
"Ok! I'm coming!" Jade hollers, racing to get clean clothes on.
"How did you sleep, sweetheart?" Paula smiles as she sets Jade's food in front of her.
"Alright, I guess."
"Sweetie, who were you talking to?"
"Barbara. She wants to go out later and get lunch."
"How nice. She's always been such a sweet girl. To bad her father is the commissioner."
"Mom. You only say that because you're an assassin."
"True. He is a very nice man."
"Yeah." Jade frowns as she picks at her food.
"You need to feed your baby, Jade."
"Mom, that's not really what I want to hear right now."
"Jade, I know you're depressed, but Roy just isn't good for you."
"I know, ok! Just drop it!" Jade stomps to her room.
"Oh my." Paula sighs.

(Later that day at Judy's Diner.)

"Jade! Hi!" Barbara runs up to Jade, hugging her tight.
"Hey."
"You've gained weight. Oops! Sorry. Dad says I have no filter."
"It's ok. Wanna go inside?"
"Sure!"

(Soon they get seated and served drinks.)

"Mmm...this milkshake rock!" Barbara exclaims.
"Mine too." Jade laughs.
"So, how's Roy?"
"He's...fine." Jade slowly stirs her milkshake.
"Hey, are you ok? You seem...sad."
"Barbara, can I trust you?"
"Remember how I said that you can always trust me to give an honest opinion? What's on your mind?"
"Sigh....I'm...pregnant." Jade hesitantly looks up at Barbara.
"What?"
"Say something."
"Who's baby?"
"Roy's. Who else?"
"Just checking. Wow, Jade. Uhhh...well, are you happy about it?"
"I'm happy because it's my baby. But Roy, he left me."
"What?!!!" Barbara blurts, standing up from her seat.
"Barbara! Shhhh!"
"Sorry. Why?"
"He doesn't think he can take care of me right now."
"So he's gonna try and come back?"
"I guess. But, I need him to be here for me now. If he can't support me or whatever, fine. I can figure it out myself. But to just drop me off the way he did. Sigh, I don't know."
"I get it, Jade. It hurts. Nothing more to say. Boy though. My dad would kill me."
"My mom practically guessed it."
"Yeah, but no offense, Jade. Your parents are a little on the rough side."
"Yeah. I know. Well, I should go." Jade stands up.
"Wait. One more question. If Roy does come back, what are you gonna do?"
"I...sigh, I'm not sure."

(Eventually Jade gets home to find Lawrence and Paula eating dinner.)

"Hi honey." Paula chimes.
"Hey mom. And dad."
"Sit down, Jade." Lawrence growls.
"Uh...ok?"
"Honey, I told your father."
"You what?!"
"Shut it. So, you couldn't just listen."
"Dad."
"Don't. I'm tired of fighting with you, Jade. You make a choice or you go. Are you gonna be an assassin or a mother."
"Mom does both. Why can't I?"
"That's true, Lawrence."
"I don't care if you want the kid. But you better decide about being an assassin. Ra Al Ghul is tired of waiting."
"Alright. I'll do it."
"Great."
"But..."
"Ugghhhh! What?!"
"He gives me enough time to have my baby. After that. I'm all his."
"Do you think he will comply, Lawrence?" Paula asks.
"Let's find out. You better not back out, little girl. This crosses lines and I'm not gonna be the one to save your back." Lawrence glares before going to bed.