Jumping back in for a moment, as a friend commented on this (the effect on Willow) today. She was 14 when her big sister got pregnant, a Big Deal in their conservative family. How did it affect her?

- Her mother watched her like a hawk, which ruined their relationship for 15-20 years
- She was terrified of both sex AND pregnancy, eventually spending a good-sized chunk on therapists
- She grew up with the idea that if she ever did anything wrong, it would be Found Out and Made Public and she would Shame the Family and Break Her Mother's Heart. When she finally left home, and moved 700 miles away to college, she spent the entire first semester drunk. Has no memory of most of her second year.

There were other family issues, I'm sure, that enhanced the problem, but Shel said the overreaction to her sister's error cost her a great deal.

I'm sure Willow will pay a price for this whole last year - which, I think, is why I was concerned about her after this event. No 14 year old needs publicity (that she didn't ask for), and no 14 year old will walk away from it unscathed.



Julia
A 45’s quicker than 409
Betty’s cleaning’ house for the very last time
Betty’s bein’ bad