�I�m thinking of checking into some college classes,� I told him excitedly.
�Why, do you want to leave me?� he replied fearfully.
�No, I want to be a teacher and improve our life,� I answered confused.
�If you go to college you might meet a smart guy and leave me, and I don�t want to lose you,� he said looking down at his feet.
�I love you, and I would never leave you for another guy. You are smarter than I am, I think you should take some courses and use your talent.� I said looking into his eyes and trying to convince him of his worth.
�You can�t change your life, �born on welfare, die on welfare�. You have to live the life you were born with,� he answered hopelessly. �I�m not smart enough for college and nobody would want to hire me even if I went to college.�
�Well I wasn�t born on welfare and I don�t plan on Michelle dying on welfare,� I replied defiantly.
I almost believed him, but then I slowly started to realize his drinking was hurting our family. He would tell his parents that we need money for diapers then spend it on beer. He would spend a lot of time at a friend�s house, getting high, and he couldn�t keep a job. I had to choose between my love for him or Michelle's future. I had to leave.
When I left him, I told him if he could keep the apartment and pay the bills for three months I would consider coming back. He had another woman moved in with him a month later. He couldn�t handle being alone. We set up weekend visitations, and I toldhim he could get Michelle on some weekdays if he wanted to. I wasn�t sure if I could trust him, but I felt Michelle had a right to know her father, and I knew he loved her dearly.
