Migrating Daughters
August 23
Hello Lynette!
So sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you, but the moving process was exhausting.
Well, we finally made it here to Canada, settling in Winnipeg. It’s such a shame that we had to leave Texas, but the apple states have turned dystopian since they overturned Roe vs. Wade. And now that Trump has been elected a second time, ousting Biden, it sounds like the government is planning to add to the problem of teenage pregnancy by introducing programs meant to assist them. They are literally encouraging teenage girls to get pregnant—at least, that was the rumour going around our old neighbourhood, which prompted us to get the hell out of there! Yes, we actually heard this from one of our neighbours, Pamela Nelson, and she’s making plans to move her family out of the country as well! That’s one of the major motivations for Janet and me to leave, too, and take our girls with us. After all, it’s not going to happen to Marissa or Wendy, they’re only 14 and 11!
We’ve actually had this planned for months, even during the election and those trials of Trump’s. You will recall the news that my advertising agency, A&Q, has several offices in Canada as well as all the larger cities in the U.S., and I was chosen for the transfer to Winnipeg. I thought the timing was just perfect, and Janet was actually relieved, telling me, “Canada will do more to protect the girls.” You and Mike can say what you will about Trudeau and Carney being idiots, but Canada wouldn’t be so stupid to look the other way if a teen or very young girl were to “accidentally” get pregnant.
The flight out of Houston itself was… interesting, to say the least. Most of the passengers were parents flying out with their teen daughters, and even their younger daughters and sons, too. Janet and I were talking to some of them at the airport just before we boarded, and they had the same fears we had. What if their daughters had gotten raped by some drunk asshole or horny teenager who wanted to impregnate as many young virgins as possible? We spent our whole layover in Toronto talking about this. It would kill us if that happened to Marissa, and Wendy… well, we don’t even want to think about that.
Big sister Caroline has been hosting us in her home as we wait for our furniture to arrive and be placed in ours—it’s on Regent Avenue in this area called Transcona. She’s done a great job representing us in our settlement: finding us a home, listing available schools for the girls and helping to register. Marissa and Wendy say they’re looking forward to going back in less than two weeks—they’ve bragged to their friends about getting a longer summer vacation.
That’s all on our end. How are things going back in Texas? Let us know.
Your little brother,
Jessie
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August 24
Hi, Jessie!
Mike and I were talking about your move all this week. Glad you made it to Canada safe, and frankly, I don’t blame you for leaving. I was especially fretting over Wendy ever since that story broke about that ten-year-old girl who had to cross state lines out of Ohio to get an abortion. And those idiot politicians who criticized it saying that she would “miss out on the wonderful opportunity of being a mom.” I can’t believe they’re now saying this to teenage girls: that getting pregnant and being a mother is their destiny, as if it doesn’t alternate a person’s life one bit! Wait until they realize these girls have to raise these children, too; hopefully that’ll be enough to change the song they’re singing.
We’ve had to keep Amanda grounded a bit since they started spouting this nonsense. This past summer, I, along with some of her friends’ parents, had to supervise them on their outings: movies, shopping, bowling, the arcade, even the beach and outdoor festivals. Not just drive them anymore, and Mike and I had to include her on more of our own things and make them “family” outings. Fortunately, now that school has started up again, she’s got something to distract her, but I wish we had the means and money to move. Mike says he wants to live in Vermont, New York or New Jersey, somewhere where child marriage is illegal. Here, parents have to consent for their underage children to get married. Amanda is only 13 years old; ain’t no way we’re consenting her to marry some dude in his 20s if he rapes and impregnates her.
Anyway, what’s Canada like? Last time I spoke with Carrie, she said that housing, gas and grocery prices aren’t any better there. Mike and I want details!
Take care of yourselves!
Lynette
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September 13
Hey Lynette!
Sorry for the delay, but it’s still crazy busy here. As an update, Janet and I officially moved into our new house, and the girls are already in school. You’re absolutely right about the housing thing, our mortgage is around $175,000 annually. Fortunately, my position at the agency can cover most of it, but Carrie had to encourage Janet to land a job herself. We’ve also seen the gas prices, one Domo has the price set at $1.43 per litre, while the 7-Eleven down the street set it at $1.39 per litre. Our first grocery trip for our new home came close to $200.00, and this included price-slashing deals we found. These conservative neighbours we’ve met keep saying that Trump will be able to bring all these prices down once he fixes the economy, but I think he’s planning to keep them high to appease all his rich buddies.
Janet and I were talking about that poor girl in Ohio ever since you brought it up. I’m still surprised her parents weren’t persecuted. That actually happened to some friends of ours, Charles and Debbie Stuntman—their daughter, Lexy, was friends with Marissa. Lexy got pregnant at a Valentine’s Day party after being drugged and raped by some players on the high school football team. They were brought up on charges, but Debbie had to fly Lexy to California to have an abortion and tell everyone it was a mother-daughter retreat. Yeah, parents can be charged for making their daughters abort, like a man doing it to his wife/girlfriend. That was what clinched the deal for us, especially since Debbie was screaming at the authorities that it was her choice and that, “Lexy’s not ready to be a mother!” Glad you and Mike are keeping Amanda safe, but you need to keep her away from those house parties and tell her friends with boyfriends that they need to come over without them in tow.
Well, gotta go for now. Just informing you on the situation in Canada. Praying for you down there.
Love,
Jessie
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September 15
Hey Jess!
In the first place, some of our more patriotic friends keep criticizing you and Caroline for fleeing America. “Don’t they love this country anymore?” they ask us. But we argue that Caroline was smart for making good on her promise to leave in the first Trump presidency. We’ve been arguing with these same people over the abortion ordeal.
Yeah, Mike and I do remember the Stuntman affair. The same thing happened to the parents of our son Taylor’s friend after his little sister—14 years old, mind you—got pregnant and they made her abort when she didn’t want to. Since when is it a crime to take proper action on your children? Instead, these pro-lifers just wag their fingers at us, saying that we should tell our kids not to have sex. Um, that would require keeping a constant watch on them, and that wouldn’t even be realistic in a novel.
I don’t know, perhaps you and Janet can invest in chastity belts for your girls?
Anyway, Taylor’s friend’s parents are named Gordon and Laura Wilhelm. There’s a protest happening at City Hall this Saturday, we’ll be calling for both the Stuntmans and the Wilhelms to be freed, then we’ll be marching through downtown Houston to protest for abortion rights. Wish for everything to be successful. I’ll send you pictures with our signs.
Love,
Lynette
P.S.: $1.39 for gas is really nothing when you think about it. Here, it’s about $3.59, which is pretty much the same when you convert the currencies.
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September 20
Hey Jess and Jan!
Just got back from the protest about an hour ago, and the turnout was amazing. You wouldn’t believe the number of parents who showed up with their teenagers. Signs were too numerous to mention here, but apparently, they wanted to send a message that their teen daughters were NOT getting pregnant. Mike and I talked to many of them about you, and they said they couldn’t afford to just leave the country like you did. They want to know how you plan to get citizenship and all that.
Well, apparently, the host and leader of the rally also knew Chuck and Debbie because she also spoke about their freedom and justice with much passion. I raised my hand and said the Stuntmans were also your friends, so to my surprise, she invited me up to say a few impromptu words. I told them about you living in Canada and how your last conversation with them prompted your move. I recalled every word you told me. I told them you were lucky to have so much money and success, along with Carrie’s support as you make a new life in a new country. “But not all of us can do this,” I called, “so to those who stay here, we have to march to protect our daughters.” There was also room in my speech for the Wilhelms, so I expressed my outrage. “Why are parents being persecuted for just being parents and saying that their teens are not getting pregnant and giving birth?” I think you can agree that we can’t just send our unwed teens to another country like they did in the fifties. And I don’t know of any homes for unwed mothers that are still around.
The march was unbelievable. We got a lot of people honking for support as they drove past, but a considerable amount of others were yelling out their windows, saying we were going to hell and such. One mother even yelled that we couldn’t supervise our daughters, and do we know what a belt and paddle are for. “Why can’t you control your daughters?” Fortunately, security was there to keep things from getting violent, as I saw when one group of men—around Mike’s and my age group—started charging at us and they tackled them back. They were screaming the same things about abortion being murder, calling us baby-killers and that teens should sacrifice for the greater good (whatever that was.) I could tell who tried to retaliate because they were yelling back things about pregnancy ruining young girls’ lives and life beginning at first breath. All I know was that Mike and I had to step back and shield Amanda so she wouldn’t get hurt. But we stayed close enough to the front to stay on cameras for the media coverage.
I’m sending the photos of us to your phone right now. Watch your WhatsApp.
Talk to you later!
Lynette
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September 20
Hi Lynette!
Just saw your pictures, and I must say you have not lost your creative spark. “Keep Your Conservative Laws Off My Daughter?” “My Girl’s Not Getting Involved in Your Greater Good?” I would’ve just put, “I’d Rather See the Population Drop” or “Fewer Babies = Better Country.”
I also saw news footage of the protests on CNN, Fox News and all the other news stations, including CBC and CTV NewsWorld, which we just discovered. It’s not just Houston, it’s also in San Francisco, L.A., New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami, the Twin Cities and don’t get me started on Washington D.C. It’s in every larger city in America, and I saw a lot of family experts, talk show hosts and other celebrities speak in the Washington march.
Wow, it seems that a lot of people are ticked about this teen pregnancy thing. TBH, I do remember getting a message about this protest in my e-mail, but I checked the virtual map and there weren’t any such events happening in Canada. Still, I’m glad the march in Houston was a success. I hope that’s enough to get the government to make… certain changes.
Please let me know how things go. My next transfer will probably dictate when I come back, but I will wait until these people come to their senses. Not a second before.
Love,
Jessie
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September 26
Jess!
You won’t believe what’s been happening to me this week. Mike and I are being harassed about that march! Thankfully, it kind of stopped a couple of days ago, but we’re still in recovery mode.
First, I think I should tell you a few things about this pro-life woman who works a few cubicles away from me, her name’s Charlene. She approached my space Monday morning and started grilling me. Apparently, she saw me on the news, and it was as if I had no right to even be anywhere near downtown that day. She started preaching about how life is precious and begins at conception, and that no one has any right to decide to take that life just because someone is too young to be a mother.
“Why should a baby be put to death just because the mother is ten or eleven years old?” she yelled at me and wouldn’t stop to let me explain. “And why the hell should rape and incest be a reason to kill an unborn child? That baby didn’t rape the mother! And do you honestly think it’s the baby’s fault that his or her parents are siblings or cousins? Is that the best you can do?”
I had to scream at her even louder to shut up, so loud I think I was heard all over the office. Right away, I started to ask what she would do if her 11-year-old daughter were to get pregnant just because some man that you trusted was raping and assaulting her while she was out somewhere and turned up pregnant. I said to her, “It’s more than just siblings and cousins necking each other. What if the man doing it was your husband or boyfriend, or even your brother? You’re not going to seriously tell me that you would let your girl carry the pregnancy and raise the baby, would you?”
She had to think about it, but she still replied with, “Well, of course it would be a tragedy, but I’m not going to have her take her plight out on her baby by making her abort or abuse it half to death. She’s gotta take responsibility for her own part.”
I was floored, just floored, and said, “She may know how to say no, but not all men will just listen and accept it. Don’t you know what pregnancy and motherhood will do to her? What are you going to do, send her off to Europe or with relatives living far away so she can just have her baby? What happens if she has a miscarriage or dies?”
“Oh, come off it!” she snapped. “What do you think this is, Africa? Malaysia? Bangladesh? You act as if it happens at an alarming rate! Here in America, childbirth mortality isn’t nearly as high. It should be the same for a 10-year-old as it would for a 25-year-old.”
That’s how our conversations went over the next two days, and she wouldn’t leave me alone until Wednesday afternoon, when I had to file a harassment report with HR. They and I sat down with her in private yesterday afternoon and threatened to terminate her if she didn’t cut it out. She was stunned, but I have seen her whispering to other co-workers and looking at me. When I told Mike, he told me he was getting the same thing from the men working at his assembly line. Same thing as what Charlene’s being telling me, word for word. One of them even said, according to him, that they’d love to find Amanda and take her with the intent to get her pregnant.
I think this was supposed to be a joke, but Mike and I do not find this funny. We’ve had to discuss this with Amanda in telling her why we’re putting more restrictions on her.
Enjoy your time in Winnipeg and try not to worry too much. I just hope the same thing doesn’t happen to your girls.
Lynette
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September 28
Hey Lyn!
I feel so horrible that you’re going through that. Did you ask Charlene what she thought about Chuck and Debbie Stuntman (though I can only guess)? You’d love it here in Canada. Here, if they do talk about abortion, they’re not nearly as preachy about it as the Americans. Why, it’s so seldom, it’s practically a non-issue here. In Canada, it’s mostly the economy vs. the environment and electric vehicles, people still masking up and all this stuff about vaccines.
Marissa and Wendy are doing great, and they’ve already made several new friends in their classes. Luckily, Marissa’s taking up sports such as volleyball and girls’ hockey, so she has something to occupy herself. Janet and I are thankful that none of Marissa’s friends are talking about having a baby, but she says there are at least three girls in her class who talk obsessively about boys. They talk lowly about Marissa’s group to others because they don’t have boyfriends. So, Marissa went up to them and told them exactly what was happening in Texas, about parents having to keep close watch upon their girls because the government is taking measures to encourage them to get pregnant—at least according to her thinking. She asked, “What would really happen if this happened to you: you got pregnant, your boyfriend left you, and you don’t have anything to help you. You think the baby’s daddy is going to marry you?”
She said these girls looked at her as if the USA has the right idea, as if being pregnant by 16 was their goal or something. She’s told us that she plans to avoid them and tell the teachers if they start harassing her. As for Wendy, she says she doesn’t have it as bad in her class. All there is, according to her, is this one very beautiful classmate who’s already developed breasts, and this girl is the same age as Wendy. She senses jealousy among some of the other girls, and they all want to be like her. Wendy just looks at her as if she’s making plans to get her on the straight-and-narrow, or so that’s what she’s telling her mother and me.
Well, that’s the update over here. Glad you and Mike are keeping Amanda on a tighter leash. She’ll actually appreciate you for it.
Your little brother,
Jessie
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September 28
Hey Jessie!
Surprisingly, Amanda’s been a little… receptive to the tighter restrictions we’re putting on her. She’s told us the only condition is that Mike and I allow her to go to some of the school dances this year. “After all,” she says, “it’s just people bopping around in fashionable outfits for two to three hours.”
But now, there seems to be a new problem at Taylor’s school (he’s a senior this year, you know). Apparently, there are junior and sophomore girls there who are talking about finding various hot boys to have babies with. Yes, these girls want to take advantage of what the government is trying to do to them. Taylor told Mike and me that several girls approached him with devious and attractive (Taylor’s words) looks in their eyes, telling him that he’d make a great father. And they’re doing this to several of the “athletes,” too. He’s said he told them “no” repeatedly, but they just replied, “Don’t you want to help out making more babies, putting more people on the planet?” As if that’s any reason to throw your life away like that. Fortunately, he knew some of them, so I called their parents when Taylor gave us names.
Ugh, maybe Winnipeg is starting to look really good. Mike and I are talking about flying out for Christmas. Tay’s also talking about it, too, he’s curious about colleges and universities there. Do you think maybe you can give us a list?
Thanks, and we hope to see you at Christmas.
Lynette
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September 29
Lynette
How has Taylor been doing in school? If he’s excelling in university-based courses (whatever they are), then he should consider the Universities of Winnipeg or Manitoba. If he’s taking mostly college courses, then his best options would be Red River College (there’s one campus on William Avenue, near Princess Street, and another on Notre Dame Avenue), Robertson College, or Herzing College (the latter is on Portage Avenue.) Does he know what he wants to do in ten years’ time? I can send you the links to the colleges, but I managed to pick up brochures on my lunch break. I’ll mail them to you on my way to work tomorrow.
Take Care!
Jess
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October 4
Hey Jess!
Already got the brochures in the mail yesterday, and Taylor is looking at the community college ones. He wants to work as a legal secretary—he hopes to encourage more men to get into this field as opposed to law practice—and he’s quite interested in Robertson and Herzing. He’s not taking the courses required for university, and Mike and I don’t want him taking out expensive loans anyway. Amanda’s hoping to get into university, though, so we’ll save the Manitoba and Winnipeg ones for her. We’ll talk to her about part-time employment when she’s old enough, so this may mean fewer school dances… LOL!
Oh, and as an update on the Stuntman-Wilhelm affair, they’ve already got a trial in the works, it’s set for after the New Year. Don’t even know why they’re bothering with one, both you and I know that what they did with their daughters was right. Maybe if Chuck and Debbie are acquitted, I’ll advise them to flee to Winnipeg or maybe even Edmonton or Calgary. I’m sure they’ll fit right in in either of those cities. We’re just starting our holiday plans and booking airline tickets. Maybe when we see each other face-to-face, we can talk about it in more detail.
Catch you later!
Lynette
P.S.: Thanks for including your new phone number. I think we should call more often.
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October 26
Hi Lynette!
So, you may or may not take this as good news, but Janet and I approached both our bosses and the principal and vice-principal at Marissa and Wendy’s school this past Friday. We told them about the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend in the U.S., requesting time off for the family so we can travel to Texas with Caroline. (Carrie’s idea, and as I may have told you in our phone conversations, she’s been pressuring us a little to join her.) Sadly, both of them declined: my boss saying that the Christmas season is going to be the busiest time of year for our advertising company and I’ll be needed here to work (can’t remember what Janet’s boss said), and the school saying that they can’t excuse the girls for a few days in late November for something so trivial as visiting relatives. So, unless you and Mike and the kids can smuggle a turkey, stuffing, potatoes and assorted vegetables onto a plane, I think we’ll have to forgo Thanksgiving for a while. Carrie’s so disappointed that she’ll have to travel by herself, but I told her I’m already looking forward to having you all here for Christmas. Hope you got your itineraries already. I hear air flights can fill up fast over the holidays.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Jessie
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October 29
Hi Jess and Jan!
Mike and I already booked our Christmas trip for Winnipeg. We’ll be leaving Texas on December 22nd and returning on December 28th. Amanda said she can’t wait to see what the malls there are like. We’ll have to take her and Marissa shopping before and after the big day. So glad we have something to forget what’s happening here and what’s going on with Chuck and Debbie.
Frankly, I don’t think you want to be here for family holidays, unless you want to be pressured into giving your opinion on teenagers and abortion. Not giving you any details, but people and total strangers continue to preach to us about “making the right choice for the innocent.” Just like those Bible thumpers that make rounds in the neighbourhood, but long story short, the local authorities don’t want to get involved, apparently. These days, it’s either keep the door locked or we lose our heads. The merry season can’t come fast enough.
Don’t forget to stay in touch, and we’ll see you in seven weeks.
Love,
Lynette
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January 12
Hi Jessie and Janet!
Hope you’ve had a wonderful New Year and thank you again for hosting us over the holidays. Amanda and Taylor continue to do splendidly in school, but Amanda’s been a little more cautious and shall I say demanding, around boys, especially since the Stuntman trial is starting today. Charles and Debbie Stuntman, and Gordon and Laura Wilhelm, are each being changed for voluntary manslaughter of their daughters’ unborn babies, as well as psychological torture inflicted upon those girls, the latter of which I think is completely ridiculous. I still thank God that I was never selected for any jury duty, especially since there are two actual murder trials being scheduled around the same time. Mike and I would’ve had to bow out of this particular one anyway because of our personal connections to both couples, remembering that the Stuntmans were your friends. We’ll keep close tabs on this trial and take down as many details as possible.
Mike has suggested that you and Janet and the girls start speaking with us on Skype a little more, as opposed to e-mailing so we can have more face-to-face interactions and the girls can “hang out” with their cousins a little more on the weekends. If I can, I’ll find an interacting site that has games the kids can play as we chat. Thanks, and we can’t wait to hear from you.
Lynette
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January 13
Hi Lynette.
Can you believe that CNN and Fox News are covering the Stuntman-Wilhelm trial as if it’s the President that’s being tried again? I’m watching as much coverage as I can and taking notes. Praying for the outcome that I and other decent-thinking parents want. I agree that we should Skype over this – this is something we really need to talk about.
Love,
Jessie
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February 5
JESSIE! JANET! OMG, I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS! THE STUNTMANS AND THE WILHELMS HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY!!!! I just checked the news feed on my Wi-Fi and the five o’clock news just confirmed it! This is a day in infamy for parents everywhere! I don’t know what’s going to happen now. Please give me a call, I need to speak to both of you!
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February 8
Hi Jessie and Janet!
I’m so thankful to have Skyped with you on Friday. I think we should keep this up so Taylor and Amanda won’t forget what you and the girls look like… LOL! I’m hoping that the punishments won’t be too harsh, and I hope what you said about Charles and Debbie Stuntman is true—the most they deserve is community service, likely at a pro-life organization lecturing parents on “tough love” measures to prevent teen pregnancy. As for the Wilhelms, I think Gordon and Laura will face ten years in prison, and their daughter will wind up in kinship foster care. Like we told you, Mike and I will petition for Taylor’s buddy to come live with us, it’s only a few months until graduation.
Speaking of which, I still can’t believe what’s been going on at their school. Three girls in the sophomore class have been confirmed to be pregnant, and the fathers are rumoured to be members of the football team. I guess I should thank God Taylor and his friend play baseball and basketball, right? I’m still glad Taylor had the courage to tell these girls off and take this to the guidance counsellor. Regardless, Taylor’s applying for the Red River, Robertson and Herzing Colleges and is hinting that he might want to live under your roof while going to school.
As for Amanda, we’ve had to lay down a certain law: NO BOYFRIENDS UNTIL SHE GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL! Mike is already planning to go to his boss and Human Resources to request a transfer to a branch in a state where child marriage is illegal, even if that means taking another position. More than likely, this means we’ll have to wait another year, and tell Amanda that if she goes out, she’s going to have to be supervised by adults. I know you’re going to pull the “not all boys” thing, but there’s no such thing as being too cautious these days. Regardless, I’ll be glad to get away from Charlene and our other browbeating “friends.”
Thankfully, Amanda isn’t being the typical teenager and is taking this in stride. When Taylor started talking about going to Winnipeg, she too asked about those other universities. But then she added that a friend of hers spent two weeks in July in Toronto and Ottawa, so she’s curious about those cities. Mike told her that Canada will be much better and saner than “the new America.” For all intents and purposes, we’re sending her to college in a blue state.
Hopefully, we’ll be able to send Amanda your way in the summer, around June, even though school will likely be in session for Marissa and Wendy. Let’s talk about that in the upcoming weekend, shall we?
Talk to y’all later!
Lynette
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