Free Fallen Angel From Revenge to Redemption by Deborah R. Brandon Page B

loss wages, and pain and suffering. We all had a good laugh at Lamar’s expense. He was a good guy even though he was a little over the top. No one could say that he didn’t keep it real.
    Sam and Domonique were enjoying their relationship. They looked like teenagers in love. Lamar and Maribel were getting super close; he was playing with a little fire himself. Mario kept trying to flirt with Vanessa but she would not give him even a little bit of play.
    As for me, I know that I am in love with Shanice but she wasn’t ready to hear that. She cared for me and that was enough for now. The fact that she was here, offering support and throwing out good ideas to help spoke more than any words that she could have spoken aloud.
    I probably have loved Shanice since my eyes caught hers from across the dance floor. The lights changed the color of her highlights as she danced back and forth to the rhythm of the music. There was so much positive energy wrapped around her. Everything was so light and carefree. Now they were heavy. She was doing everything that I needed her to do by just being here.
    I am a man, I can handle my own. Yet, it is nice not to have to travel this road alone.

 
                       ~Shanice~
         4 months later
    When everything feels like an uphill struggle just think of the view from the top. -Unknown
    I am sitting in a coffee house across from the county courthouse, waiting on Vanessa, Domonique and Lamar to arrive.  It is a registered historical landmark. Yet, its beauty is lost on me. Our lives have been turned upside down on this witch hunt but we have stayed strong through the whole experience. Please don’t get me wrong, we have had our moments.
    Darren has done his part to try to make the best of a bad situation. He has worked odd jobs for people in the community. He volunteered more at The Help Center. He worked with a lot of boys from the Boys and Girls club. We had eaten dinner with both his family and mine.
    On the downside his child’s mother did use this situation as a means to keep him from his son. This almost broke Darren. It was hard sitting beside him and not having the means to help him or comfort him. I did the only thing that I knew to do, which was pray for God to right this wrongs. If it wasn’t for my belief in a Higher Power, I would have gone crazy.
    Darren decided to wait until all the court stuff was settled before going to court to get visitation and custody settled.
    I had met Manny a couple of times before this mess. He was a kind and sweet little guy. He loves his daddy. I didn’t know that I could love someone’s child as much as I love Manny, but I do. I thought that it would be hard seeing as I wouldn’t be able to have any of my own. Surprisingly, loving Manny came to me easy.
    My crew arrived and we quickly placed our order. The waitress left and we began to talk immediately.
    “How are you holding up?” Lamar asked showing his concern.
    “I am good,” I replied looking up to meet his eyes.
    “Lair,” he said as he leaned in and rubbed my back as a show of support and comfort.
    “You know me so well,” I said smiling just a little.
    “How is it going in there?” Vanessa asked.
    I let out a sigh before answering, “Several key witnesses have been called to testify. Alyssa, Omar, and Darren are the last ones to testify. They will go up after the break.
    “That is going to be hard for Alyssa,” Lamar said.
    “It’s going to be hard for all of them,” I responded. None of them are the same anymore. I am not the same anymore. I betcha that anytime I think that abuse and neglect is going on I am calling the Department of Social Services. I waited too long on this situation and maybe this didn’t have to happen,” I finished.
    “I feel you, but at the same time, if we call too much we lose our creditability,” Vanessa said.
    “Children need for someone, somewhere to be able to protect them. Children should feel safe at home and