My mother was worried sick about me. She thought it would be a good idea for my brother Johnny to come and stay with me and Louis. She believed that Johnny would be able to protect me. I felt a little safer with Johnny there even though I still cried myself to sleep every night. One day Johnny told me he was leaving and going back to Gary. Instantly, I felt the fear rushing back into my body. He must’ve gotten into it with Louis. Johnny said he couldn’t stay there because Louis had a bad attitude.

My children don’t often ask me about their father. Maybe it’s because they’re grown now, and they somehow knew not to ask when they were younger. I did love him. And my children are here because of him. I’m thankful that God saved me and preserved my life in order for me to take care of my children. Maybe I forgave him because of them.