It was well past noon on a Saturday when Jake opened his blood-shot eyes after 10 hours of a passed-out slumber on his parent's couch.

He was sweaty, thirsty and his head felt like a sledge hammer had hit it. It was a typical Saturday as it would take Jake most of the day to shake off a brutal hangover. He got up off the couch, relieved his full bladder and poured a large glass of water.

As he settled back on the couch and turned the TV on the phone rang. The sound was so loud it felt like the ringer was right inside his head. On the other end of the phone a voice said "Want to spend St. Patrick's Day with me?"

Jake realized who it was before the young lady uttered the word "spend." It was his girlfriend who was eight months pregnant with his child. This was the day that would change his life forever.

He knew this day was coming, but wasn't prepared. He realized that he probably would never be prepared for this. In fact, Jake was a child himself even though he was 28. A full-time job with a decent income didn't make him an adult, but his adolescent behavior did make him a child in a man's body. How was he going to care for a baby?

Wondering how he got to this point in his life, Jake jumped in the shower and headed off to the hospital. All the way to the hospital he began to think about how his life was going to change. How can you go out to the bar or and stay up until 2 a.m. drinking beer while watching reruns of "Coach" on your parent's couch and be expected to care for a baby?

Jake didn't even have a home or apartment of his own. He lived in his parent's basement, but would always tell himself that he was going to move out even though he knew it was wishful thinking. With most of his other friends getting married and buying homes, Jake felt embarrassed when comparing himself to his contemporaries.

The time flew by in the car as Jake parked his car in a spot that seemed like it was a mile from the Hospital's entrance. He thought that maybe he could figure it all out on the long walk up to the hospital room where his girlfriend would give birth to their child.

Each stride he took was a baby step. As he made his way to the hospital room on the third floor Jake began to wonder what he was going to find? What would his role be in this delivery. Although he had 10 and nephews he had never been inside a room where a child was born. Would he need to help his girlfriend, Lisa, with her breathing? Would the doctor ask him to cut the umbilical cord. He hoped the latter wasn't the case fearing that he might throw-up all over the delivery room floor.  

The elevator doors opened and Jake was on the third floor. After walking past two empty rooms he came to his destination. Immediately before turning the corner to go into the entryway of the room he knew that now was the time to change his ways.