In December 1972, Lillian met Zack Melendez at an open mic in a barbecue restaurant. Zack performed anti-war ballads with a smooth voice and sought Lillian out afterward. They began dating intensely, with Zack courting her with flowers and attention, while Lillian chose to wait for the right moment to become intimate.

On the night of the Vietnam ceasefire, Zack’s band, Zack and the Blacktoppers, played an outdoor set in Fort Worth. Energized by the moment and Zack’s focus on her, Lillian decided to sleep with him, believing she would be his “first that mattered.” Their connection deepened, and by the following year they felt like a glamorous, enviable couple.

Months into the relationship, Lillian saw Zack as the love of her life and a source of hope after the deaths of both her parents. When her period was late, she repeated affirmations to calm herself as the days passed and a doctor confirmed she was pregnant.

Lillian planned to tell Zack on the Texas Christian University campus, wearing a gingham dress she thought looked maternal. She imagined supporting his career and even joining him on the road with their baby. Zack arrived upbeat and immediately shared news that the band was going on tour, describing industry opportunities and the need for sacrifices.

Before Lillian could speak, Zack said he believed it was best if they part ways, framing it as necessary for his success and expecting her to be happy for him. He spoke about potential label attention and the demands of touring, while Lillian listened in shock.

Overwhelmed and nauseated, Lillian chose not to tell Zack about the pregnancy. She swallowed the news, letting it sit within her as he ended the relationship and moved toward his ambitions, leaving her alone with the knowledge of the child.