diff --git a/counter.py b/counter.py
index 1e2fb56..09a4a59 100644
--- a/counter.py
+++ b/counter.py
@@ -2,34 +2,54 @@
 
 from os.path import exists
 import sys
-from pickle import dump, load
+import pickle
 
 def update_counter(file_name, reset=False):
-	""" Updates a counter stored in the file 'file_name'
-
-		A new counter will be created and initialized to 1 if none exists or if
-		the reset flag is True.
-
-		If the counter already exists and reset is False, the counter's value will
-		be incremented.
-
-		file_name: the file that stores the counter to be incremented.  If the file
-				   doesn't exist, a counter is created and initialized to 1.
-		reset: True if the counter in the file should be rest.
-		returns: the new counter value
-
-	>>> update_counter('blah.txt',True)
-	1
-	>>> update_counter('blah.txt')
-	2
-	>>> update_counter('blah2.txt',True)
-	1
-	>>> update_counter('blah.txt')
-	3
-	>>> update_counter('blah2.txt')
-	2
-	"""
-	pass
+    """ Updates a counter stored in the file 'file_name'
+
+    A new counter will be created and initialized to 1 if none exists or if
+    the reset flag is True.
+
+    If the counter already exists and reset is False, the counter's value will
+    be incremented.
+
+    file_name: the file that stores the counter to be incremented.  If the file
+    doesn't exist, a counter is created and initialized to 1.
+    reset: True if the counter in the file should be rest.
+    returns: the new counter value
+
+    >>> update_counter('blah.txt',True)
+    1
+    >>> update_counter('blah.txt')
+    2
+    >>> update_counter('blah2.txt',True)
+    1
+    >>> update_counter('blah.txt')
+    3
+    >>> update_counter('blah2.txt')
+    2
+    """
+    if not exists(file_name) or reset:
+        #initialize to 1
+        f = open(file_name, 'w')
+        d = pickle.dump(1, f)
+        f.close()
+
+        #check that it worked
+        check = open(file_name, 'r')
+        initialized_value = pickle.load(check)
+        return initialized_value
+    else:
+        #open and find the value
+        f = open(file_name, 'r')
+        value = pickle.load(f) + 1
+        f.close()
+        
+        #open and write a new value
+        f = open(file_name, 'w')
+        d = pickle.dump(value, f)
+        f.close()
+        return value
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
 	if len(sys.argv) < 2: