It didn't take much to start feeling at home, especially since we had only brought our clothes and necessities. With the funds Jerk and I had left, he had already paid the rent, so I was relying on whatever remained of my tax refund, which would only last a couple of weeks.

I told him that we needed to call Social Security to request an increase in his SSD benefits. As for my externship, I needed transportation for the next month. Ashley and JP told me they could give me rides (such a blessing!) and help me get to the welfare and WIC offices.

Compared to Pittsburgh, the distances between places in California were much greater. Especially for me, getting anywhere could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour by car.

First, they took me to Everest College in Ontario, CA, which was about an hour from San Bernardino. I had a meeting with the director and the Career Center. They gave me a wonderful welcome, not only to the college but to the state as well! They found a clinic where I could complete my remaining four weeks, and then I would be all done! I couldn't have been happier.

They gave me the address and told me to report to Maria (which seemed to be a very common name in California, along with Hernandez!).

Next was the welfare office, and OMG, the wait was crazy! It was extremely busy! Not only was there a three-person household to consider, but they also needed information about food stamps and Medical Assistance (MA) for Jerk and me. Craig, unfortunately, had to apply for welfare on his own since he wasn't the “father-to-be.”

They also needed verification from Planned Parenthood to confirm my pregnancy. I suppose they had heard all kinds of stories from people trying to abuse the system, but I wasn't that kind of person. I wasn't going to lie just to receive benefits.

After that, Ashley took me to the WIC office so I could get the food and nutritional support needed for my unborn child.

Hanging out with Ashley was really fun. It was like having some girl time! I also got rides from JP, and between the two of them, there was quite a difference in driving styles. JP liked to go fast, and I don't think his truck even came with an “Oh, shit!” handle!! LOL!

JP definitely held up his end of the promise when he told me, “I will help you out whenever I can.” And did he ever!!

With his truck and some connections, he managed to get us a couch, a recliner, and a bed! Slowly but surely, our place was starting to feel like a home.

We were responsible for paying the electricity and cable bills. JP also told Jerk that he could go with him to do some side jobs to earn extra money.

Ashley told me about a job service not too far from our place, although getting there would still take more than 20 minutes.

While Jerk was out with her dad, I started my externship. Maria was a super-nice supervisor, and my position involved filing papers on the computer and organizing documents in the filing cabinet. Working eight hours a day, five days a week, made the days go by quickly.

Before my final week was over, I asked Maria if they were hiring. She said, “No, sorry.”

I was really kicking myself mentally, thinking that I shouldn't have left Pittsburgh when I had that opportunity in Green Tree.

When Ashley had some free time, we finally got around to taking care of the Planned Parenthood requirement so I could get my welfare benefits started.

I will never forget pulling up to that building. I felt like I was going to be sick. The sign didn't even have the name I was expecting. Instead, it said “Abortion Clinic”!

Ashley asked me if I was okay, but I silently told myself, “Just grin and bear it.” I must have worried her because the color had practically drained from my face!

I'm pro-choice, but I personally would never choose abortion for myself. I learned a quote a while ago that stuck with me: “Everyone has an opinion, like everyone has an asshole.”

I went inside, and I had never felt more uncomfortable. I just wanted the whole thing to be over with.

When my name was called, I gave the nurse a mean look. I sat down in the room, and she asked if I was okay. With my attitude showing, I told her, “I'm not going to abort my baby.”

She was taken aback and simply said, “Okay, well, I need you to pee in the cup, please, so we can determine your due date.”

Afterward, given how quickly everything was handled, they gave me the paperwork to take back to the welfare office.

Once I entered my third trimester, the cash benefits would kick in, and my food stamps would increase by an additional $400. September was still the month my baby was expected to arrive!

I had been keeping in contact with my mom to see how things were going. I told her everything was going all right and that my externship was almost finished.

The number of rides I needed was starting to feel like a burden, especially since the places I needed to go were farther away than I had expected. The weather had been very nice, but it was starting to get hot. When you're pregnant, it doesn't take much to start sweating, either!

Jerk had been doing his own thing with JP or just hanging around at home. I kept thinking that he could be doing more to bring in income instead of spending so much time doing what he loved most.

With graduation coming up soon, I started wondering what was next.

Was I going to have a big celebration for graduating? Would the job fair have any employment opportunities for me to apply for?

Graduating from college is supposed to feel like crossing a finish line, but moving to California while pregnant made it feel more like standing at the edge of a cliff. Between navigating job services and hoping my parents would step in to co-sign for a reliable car so I could make it to my prenatal appointments, the pressure was becoming overwhelming.

I was learning that adulthood isn't about having everything neatly lined up. It's about showing up, even when you're scared.

If you're in a season of waiting and wondering how all the pieces will fall into place, I'm right there with you.

Here's to taking a deep breath, trusting the process, and doing whatever it takes for the ones we love.