"Who's there?" I heard my mum ask as she hurried towards the door.

I walk lazily into the kitchen to have a glass of milk. I was about to swallow the content of my glass cup when ma mum yelled my name.

"Mum, what is all the fu— "

I stop mid sentence not because of the glare my mum directed towards me, but because of the sight in front of me.

At my door step, there laid a baby crying ever so softly. I looked at my mum only to find her already looking at me with a piece of paper in hand.

"Mum, I'm sure it's just some lady that couldn't take care of her own child. We can take the child to the orphanage and let the law handle this little problem."

She just shook her head at me and forced the note into my hands. And with one last disappointed look, she said,

"Read"

And so, I did.

"Jack,

It's Mary. Am sure you're wandering what this is all about. Well, I'm sorry. Sorry 'cause I didn't tell you earlier. Sorry 'cause I let us ruin each others life. That child at your doorstep is the result of our last encounter. Please take care of her... My sweet angel..."

"P.S, don't look for me. By now, I must be in another country. Once again, I'm so sorry. I love you.

Mary."

With that, I let the note slip of my hands like sand. This can't be happening. I can't raise a child on my own! Am only sixteen!!

Oh God, oh God, this can't be real.

Calm down Jack, this is just a horrible dream. By the count of three, you'll pinch yourself out of this dream. one, two, three— aw! That hurts...

Oh no, this is real...

Running into the house I find my mum slumped on the kitchen counter.

"Am sorry mum..." I chocked out. Trying to stop the tears from flowing like a river.

"You're sorry?... How does sorry solve this situation?! eh?!"

"I...I.."

"Yeah thats what you should have thought before getting her pregnant you idiot!!"

"Now this, she said, pointing toward the baby. This is what you get for not zipping your pants!!. Lets see how you cope with that."

"Mum I'm so sorry..." I whispered helpless.

"No, I'm the one who is sorry Jack... I was so careless, now you've ended up just like me. Only that yours is worse." She said breaking down into tears.

"Mum...."

"Oh my baby, come here."

I ran into her embrase. I really outdid myself this time. I love my mother and I know it hasn't really been easy for her as a single parent to take care of me. Now I brought in another mouth for her to feed. I'm such a horrible son.

What am I going to do mum? I asked, tears already winning the battle and now flowing freely.

"I don't know Jack, but we will have to figure something out."

"Does this mean you won't kick me out?" I asked bownig my head in shame and utter regret.

"Kick you out? Of cause not! Why would you even think of that?

Yes,you've made a mistake. But you're still my son. I will not treat you any different..."

"Oh mum, thank you so much. I love you."

"Love you to my son. She said and placed a kiss on my forehead."

"We will scale through this..."

"And we surely did. It wasn't easy. But I made it's through high school with good grades that got me a scholarship into the university. And with hard work and determination, here I am a self made high tech business owner."

************************************************************

"Daddy, daddy Santa left me a present! He left me a present daddy, and he left one for granny too!!!"

"Can I open it please!!!" My little spitfire kept asking as she bounced all around my room.

"Ugh, give me a few minutes darling. Daddy needs sleep."

"Ugrh, no wonder why Santa left you coal!! Your such a meanie."

"He what?!"

"YUP! STANTA left you coooal!!"

Ugh, mother...

Alright, let's do this.

"Honey, why don't you go meet grandma and take a nice warm bath, then we would see what we can do about the presents okay?

"Okay, but I'm bathing by myself"

"No you're not!"

"Yes I am. I'm not a kid!"

"You're five. I flatly retorted."

"That's a big number." She proudly responded.

"I won't be the reason for your drowning young lady." I said,sternly.

"Now, I see more reasons why you'd get more coals next Christmas."

"And you'd get some too if you keep up that attitude dear. Now go!"

It's been 5years and some months now, and I must confess, takingcare of a kid was clearly not as easy as I thought.

Mum had been my back bone all this years.

Handling someone like Angel is like trying to understand mathematics. She just has too many formulars. I try to remember some but it's hard not to forget sometimes.

I remember the day she came down with cold. She just kept crying and I tried everything from rocking, to soothing, to feeding. It just seem to spike it up the more. I was so Confused and furious with myself that I didn't know when I started shedding tears.

If not for mum who came visiting, I don't know how I would have fared.

From then on, my mum decided it's best she stayed with me so that Angel gets a mothers care.

You might wonder if I don't regret getting Mary pregnant.

Well, I do sometimes, I would have loved my baby to have both parents, not just me. But I don't regret having angel. She's a present given to me that I wouldn't trade for the world.

Talking about presents, it's Christmas, I bettter go join the ladies in the Kitchen.

***———*****

"Jack, would you pass me the pan please?"

"Sure mum, just cos I'm in the Christmas spirit."

"Sure, that's why you got cooals...instead of presents." She replied with a smirk.

"Mom...do you by chance, know how I got coals rather than presents?" I whispered.

"Sure, you have been a naughty child. Everyone knows this is what bad kids get from Santa."

"Mom....I stressed. You better start talking."

"Hey, that's no way to treat your mother Mister! are you accusing me of having something to do with how those got under the Christmas tree?"

"Gush! just tell me why you put it there!!"

"Okay okay. Fine!

It just that,you're twenty one and,you're yet to bring a girl home..."

"Moommm!"

"I'm twenty one plus ,not sixty. I still got plenty of time for that. Right now, all that matters is you, Angel and college. Others will come along the line."

"That's the problem Jack! You've been too devoted in taking care of us, you've neglected your needs tottaaly." She stressed.

"When last have you gone on a date? "

"Since..." I began to say.

"Exactly! since Mary! That's more than six years back Jack.

You've got to live a little."

"Mother.." I began

"I invited Mr Patrick over for dinner, is that okay by you?" She said changing the topic.

"Fine mum. But it seems you and that man have gotten quite close." Giving her a knowing look.

I saw her blush a little before she replied.

"It's not what you're thinking, we're just friends."

"Sure, friends with benefit." I whispered but she heard

"Jack!!"

"Mum, do you think your Flirty attitude and constant blushes when that man comes around goes unnoticed?"

"Since when last have you gone out on a date mum?"

"Yeah, that's right since,never.

And never started after you were pregnant with me."

"You're still young mum, learn to live a little."

"You...that not fair! it's clearly not the same and you know it." She protested.

"What I'm saying is, if you give this guy a try, I might think about what you've said. He looks nice enough."

"Deal?" I asked

"Deal."

"That's what I like to hear."

"Jack," she began

"Humm?"

"Thank you."

We both knew that she was thanking me for more things than one.

"Graaanny, can we go now.I get to sing a Christmas carol in church today. I don't wanna be late.!"

"Okay honey, five more minute."

"Angel, it's time for school"

"Am coming..."