As she continued to read, tears started streaming down her face. She put herself in her mother's position as much as she could. To be sixteen years old and terrified, and all alone on top of it.

I told him today. He was so happy! We both are. We have to convince our parents to let us get married and raise our baby. No other choice is even possible. Even though my baby is still a tiny little bean inside of me, I am going to be a mother. I have to protect him or her with everything I have.

She continued reading, right up until the point of where her mother had told her parents. It was agonizing to read the words that she had written after that.

I think they hate me. They're so disappointed. They called his parents, which was really embarrassing. What must they think of me now? I'm a failure. I'm a disappointment to everyone that knows me. I don't know what's going to happen. My parents said they won't agree for us to get married. I overheard them talking about giving my baby away. I just won't do it. I can't. If I have to run far away, then I will.

In that moment, Kate wondered if her mother ever tried to run away. Didn't she have any family that could take her in? Had she tried to start over on her own?

They caught me. I didn't get very far. My mother was crying when they found me down at the bus station. I didn't even have enough to get on a bus, so I don't know why I went there. I was just so desperate. Today we’re going to the adoption agency, and I just want to curl up and die. I can't live without my child. I just can't.

Kate wiped her eyes and took another sip of her wine, setting the journal back in her lap. She was glad to be awake by herself because this was something she really needed to do alone. Emotions were hard for her normally, and right now she felt like she was on the verge of a breakdown.

She took a deep breath and picked up the journal again.

There was nothing I could do. They wore me down. They forced my hand. I'll never forgive them for what they're making me do. They'll never understand what it's like to give away your child. And now the love of my life is gone too. His parents sent him away, saying I'm a bad influence. That we can never be together. I don’t even know where he is. The only good thing about today is feeling my baby kick, but I'm heartbroken knowing that I will never even get to hold him or her.