Hi. Can I call you Steph?

S: (grins) Steph or Bleux (pronounced Blue), whichever you prefer sweetheart.

Bluex? I have a car named Blue

S: (nods) Bleux, that's right. The guys in the platoon all call me Bleux. (giggles)

Ohhhhh? Are you in the military?

S: (nods) That I am. Part of Landon's platoon, actually, though he prob'ly didn't mention me.

No, he didn't >.<

S: (laughs) No biggie. I'm Heather's momma. Landon and I've known each other since high school. We're not close now though.

ooooh. When you are underway who keeps Heather?

S: Lan's had custody of her since she was 'bout 5 months old. His girlfriend Kara takes care of her.

Ah. I see. Don't you miss her?

S: Of course. I go visit when I can. I just wasn't ready to be a momma.

I couldn't imagine not being a mother. I can barely recall my life before my son. But I made him my world and that was my decision...

..at least Heather is safe and that is good.

S: I was only 15 when I had her. She's still my baby. But I wasn't a momma. I was still a kid.

Wow. So young. I was 26 when I had my son.

S: (nods) I was young. Too young to handle it.

-hugs quickly- You did the right thing.