[ WP ] Since more and more children are saying that it 's not theit choice to be born , a law has been passed that permits 18-year-olds to decide whether to continue living or not . Your son/daughter is turning 18 tomorrow ...

`` BOY!'' he roared throughout the shanty cabin, `` WHERE ARE YOU? WHAT'S THIS ABOUT BEING A LIFER?!'' 
 
 I sighed. It seemed Pa found out... 
 
 I sat down by the rickety table and prepared myself for the long overdue battle. 
 
 `` I'm here, Pa.'' 
 
 He stomped in and slammed his hand on the table. 
 
 `` SITDOWN!'' 
 
 `` I'm sitting already.'' 
 
 He seemed to take offense to this and swore under his breath. 
 
 He pulled the remaining chair and sat down, boring his eyes at me from the opposite side. 
 
 I tried to appear calm and confident. 
 
 He breathed heavily, and steadily calmed down. 
 
 `` Boy! I hope I have n't been mishearing things...'' 
 
 And there it was, the implied question that never fully took form. 
 
 `` No, Pa. I- I decided I wanted to continue living. I think I-'' 
 
 `` You think nothing! How stupid can you be?! I told you once, and I told you a million times to let things go in this Hellhole! God has a-, no, God *had* a place for you, but your sorry-life-ing self just could n't resist taking another beating, could you?'' 
 
 `` It's not abo-'' 
 
 `` Not about nothing! I ai n't finished yet! I've drilled this into you countless times! We're poor! We're Black! And we've been getting shit on by life! I slave over everyday just to keep you breathing and kicking so that you can finally go and stay with your Mother - bless her - but here you are! Sticking it for the long run, like your stupid father!'' 
 
 He sighs and buries his face in his arms. 
 
 `` What am I gon na do with you...'' 
 
 I sat there in silence. 
 
 Again. 
 
 No, I needed to speak up. 
 
 `` Pa, I want to explain why. I know you're bitter about not having the choice when you were younger, but I'm... well, I believe God has bigger things planned for me.'' 
 
 I did n't actually know that, not that I believed in any of it, but I could n't show it. He at least was n't interrupting me. 
 
 `` My friends and I were considering joining the Army. They got a demo at school and the guys there were pretty cool. It's got good benefits and could get me to some good places...... I think I can make it.'' 
 
 What else could I say? I had the whole thing in my mind, but it's all in bits and pieces, and I'm trying not to stutter again. 
 
 He took a slow breath, and spoke first, never leaving his face from his hands. 
 
 `` All my life, I've struggled to get you away from the streets and all the fighting. Your grandpa and grandma had all sorts of trouble with that you know? With drugs, booze, gangs, and me... But now you're off to go fight elsewhere and...... I've failed.'' 
 
 Maybe... 
 
 `` No, Pa. I just... had a vision, ya know? God has a better life planned for me, for us! I'd get some cash, go to college, and get a good job!'' 
 
 Silence... 
 
 `` And you know, I can support you! You do n't got ta struggle afterwards! I can get you that new truck you were eyeing on.'' 
 
 What was I even saying? 
 
 `` I do n't care about a truck.'' 
 
 Silence... 
 
 `` I care about you. Do n't you forget that! Not many other folks have got what we got, and I'm happy for that. I just wish you chose Heaven over Hell...'' 
 
 Silence... but he lifts his head up finally. 
 
 `` I'm proud of you, boy. You're clean, straight, and smart, even when I do n't get much to give you. If you're serious about all this, then be ready to have me stick around for it all! I ai n't letting you fail this after all that big talk you spouted out!'' 
 
 `` Uh, thanks, Pa.'' 
 
 And I looked up too.
