I’m in love with a taxi ‘loader man’

Dear Pastor,

I am a regular reader of your column. I am having a problem. I consider that you are the best person to turn to for advice.

I am 17 years old and I am in love. People say that a 17-year-old girl cannot be in love because she doesn't fully understand love. I believe that they are wrong because I truly love my boyfriend. He is everything to me. He is five years older than I am. I remember having a problem. I was really in need of some food stuff and I went to my father, but he chased me away and told me that he was not even sure that I am his daughter. When I told my boyfriend, he told me where I should meet him and I went. He gave me all the money I needed. It was enough to buy groceries and some girl stuff. Then he told me to hurry up and go home before it got dark.

This man is just a hustler on the street. He tries to get passengers to board taxis when they are heading out of town. He almost got into a fight because other men are out there doing the same thing and they were trying to pull away his passengers from him. But the taxi man had to stand up for him and let them know that he is a good youth.

I remember that day when my mother saw what I brought home, she cried; and she told me that she wanted to meet the man who gave me money to buy them. I told her that I got them from the man who likes me, and she said I should like him back. I took my boyfriend to meet my mother and now they are good friends. When my mother asked him where he works, he said he is doing his own business. When we were alone, I asked him what kind of business he does because that is not a business. But he said yes, he considers the work he is doing as a business.

I have never contacted my father again for any help. My mother told me that she could not stand my father any more because anytime she asked him for money to support me, he told her that she would have to come and be prepared to spread her legs. So she stopped going to see him.

My boyfriend and I are very careful because I do not want to get pregnant. I do not have enough subjects, so I am going to evening classes and he is paying for them. Sometimes I wish my boyfriend could stay with me. My mother would not be against that, but we do not have the convenience. His mother has two other children and she is trying her best with them.

R.A.

Dear R.A.,

I hope that you would be true to this young man and not play around with other guys.

You are a young woman, so you should consider your future. You should also encourage your boyfriend to go back to school. Encourage him to consider HEART. I am glad that your mother likes him. Don't fool around and have unprotected sex. I wish you well.

Pastor