Chapter 26
1041words
She smiled, "Thank you, Tiffany. It means a lot to me to hear you say that."
I took a breath before telling her the truth, "My real name is Jakobia Taylor, Tiffany is a made-up name I use. I told Valdo last night. I'm sorry I lied, but I had to be careful."
She smiled, "It's okay, honey. I used to tell people my name is Summer and let me guess; you're not twenty you're eighteen."
I nod, "I'll be nineteen in a few months."
She smiled, "You'll be happy to know that you're not the youngest in my program. The youngest is fourteen."
I looked at her with raised eyebrows, "Her name is Christina and just like us she thought her boyfriend had some sort of feelings for her, but unlike us, her parents are supporting her 100%. They've decided to give the baby up for adoption when it arrives. They think that's the best option for her since she's so young." I felt pity for poor Christina, the fact that she had to give her baby up. Just the thought of doing that makes my head hurt. For the six months I've found out I was pregnant I've been nothing but happy about my baby, just sad about things turned out.
"She sounds strong." I imputed.
Hannah nodded her head, "She is and very intelligent too."
The car stopped slowly, and Hannah both looked through our window. "We're here." Hannah opened her door and exited the vehicle, and I followed after her. I looked around and noticed that we were no longer in the upscale side of the city but in a middle class to poor community based on the surroundings.
"Welcome to Harlem, northern Manhattan." she looked around the place and smile like it was the best place on earth. She stopped then pointed at the building in front of us, "Welcome to the Dakoda Foundation for Single Mothers."
I looked at the building that had her name on it and smiled. She made it from poverty; I can too.
"After we got married, Kevin surprised me with this. I told him it was my dream to help women who are in the same position I was, and he made my dream come true." As she gave her husband praised, I remembered that I still don't know how they got together.
She held my elbow and walked us towards the door of the building. She opened the door and entered. "We're a little late, so some of the ladies are probably here already." We walked down the narrow dark pathway until we reached the end. "This was the only building on sale, but I don't mind the little walk." At the end of the pathway, we exit in a big room. There were about six women their, all engaged in a deep conversation.
"Good morning, ladies." They all stopped and looked up at the voice. When they saw Hannah, their faces all lit up with a smile. I could tell they loved her and they did so because she had made a change in their life one way or another.
Hannah pat my shoulders, "This is Jakobia." she turned to me and smiled, "Introduce yourself."
I looked at the older woman nervously. It felt like I was the new kid in school again, and I hated that feeling after moving so many times as a child. I looked at women who were smiling and me, and it gave me a little confidence. In my previous school, the students never smiled at me, and now these women were smiling at me like they were happy to have me. I pushed away all the terrible memories of the past and smiled at them. "My name is Jabokia Taylor. I'm eighteen, and I'm seven months pregnant. I was homeless a few days ago. I like building things, and I can't bake to save my life."
They laughed then they all said, "Welcome to DFSM." I smiled at them then they started to come towards me, one by one.
A woman who was around twenty-three with dirty blonde hair came up to me, "I'm Emily. I am twenty-one. I have two kids, Jason and Harry. Their father is in prison for raping a ten-year-old girl. Nice to meet you." she held out her hands, and I shook it. She didn't look sad when she told me her story; it seems like she's said it so many times that it lost its meaning. The man she loved was a paedophile. Finding that out must have hurt.
Another woman with dark hair and hazel eyes came up to me and hugged me when she released me, she smiled. "I'm Zuria Giovanni. I have a son, Alessandro. My husband died three years ago, he was shot fifteen times." she took a deep breath. She continued, " I was homeless like you until I met Gabriele, so I have an idea what you've been through. You can talk to me anytime you want, I'm always available." she wiped away a tear that had fallen and smiled then moved away so the other ladies could get a try.
A young redhead came to me and gave me a shy smile, "I'm Christina. I'm fourteen, five months pregnant. I'm the youngest here. I was stupid enough to believe my boyfriend and then boom pregnant at fourteen."
I rest my hands on her shoulders, "Don't worry. I was stupid too. I made history repeat itself. My mother kicked me out, at least you still have your parents."
"At least you get to keep your baby." My heart sank at her words. I could tell she wanted to keep her baby, but her parents won't allow her, they were probably forcing her to give away the baby, and because was so young she didn't have much choice in the matter.
