I start driving her home after school—now that I know where she lives—because the bus takes too long and she wants to get back to Emanuella as quickly as possible. “I can’t believe you’re going to go through all this and let someone else watch it grow up,” she says, but I see the dark circles lining her eyes, I hear her complaining about gross diapers, and even though Mario is still working at the gas station, it doesn’t look like Maryellie is moving out of that crowded apartment anytime soon. I know I have things that she doesn’t—money, parents who will buy cribs and pay for day care. But if I had to decide between our resources, I’d choose hers—a baby daddy who loves the baby, a mom who can’t stop hugging. She’d probably choose mine. “I’m serious!” she says, seeing the doubt in my eyes. “I’d give up everything for Emanuella now. She’s the happiest thing to happen to me.” I shake my head.
