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Life in the wake of the storm can wreak havoc with one's sense of right and wrong. Since August 29th, new rules apply, and NOLAFugees.com is hear to provide you with a solid compass.
This week, what happens when a spike in housing costs conflicts with one good man's sense of responsibility?

>>Dear NOLAFugees,

I’m a 30-year old out of work carpenter from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. My 8 1/2 months pregnant girlfriend—not by me, I met her that way--and I packed up our ’86 Ford Escort and moved down to New Orleans where I knew there’d be jobs for people like me. Right now, we’ve got no place to stay. Rentals are in short supply, and the prices for the vacant ones are ungodly.

The Escort is packed with all our stuff, but it hasn’t been all bad. The last few nights we’ve slept among bales of hay in City Park that we share with three Mexcians. They’ve been nice, sharing weed, tequila, and spare change. (Believe me, right now the coins feel like gold!) Every now and then animals pass through, and the stars are pretty.

The trouble is, I fear that any day now my girlfriend is going squeeze out the kid, and it would suck for him (she seems sure it’s a boy) to live like this. I know he’s not mine, so why should I care, but I’m just not that kind of person. Is there anywhere or anyone I can turn to in the city who can help out someone in our situation?


Signed,

Saint-Seeking Stepdad

>>Dear Saint-Seeking Stepdad,

Situations like this are always difficult, particularly during such a tight housing market. Having a pregnant girlfriend doesn't make it any easier, let alone a child whose seed came from somebody else's line.

As for seeking outside assistance, holiday stress compounded with the difficulties of hosting Christmas in a FEMA trailer will most likely result in the "no room at the inn" response. Especially if you are toting around a young girl both pregnant and without insurance.

On the one hand, what you are doing is noble, if a bit old-fashioned. If you have genuinely brought this girl to New Orleans in the hopes of a better life, we wish you well.

On the other hand, children born into difficult economic situations often face overwhelming odds. As James Baldwin wrote, "the determined will is rare." We are reminded of a similar story, and the outcome of that one is in debate.

We're curious. How attached are you to this girl? In our line of work, we meet many well-maintained women of means. Have you been Uptown? Just an idea.

Whatever decision you make, take a look around you. It probably does not make that much of a difference. Follow your heart.

Nolafugees.com
We've slept among bales of hay in City Park with three Mexicans.
Most likely, you'll get the old No-Room-at-the-Inn response.
Have you been Uptown lately? Just asking.
Has the hurricane caused you to face a difficult ethical dilemma in the wake of the storm? Caught in that grey area that opens after great human tragedy? Let the NOLAFugees.com be your guide. Email your quandry to editors@nolafugees.com and let us sort it out!