Free In Times of Trouble by Yolonda Tonette Sanders

RJ used to venture into high-risk areas such as this in Baltimore during their evangelistic missions. Truth-be-told, this neighborhood seemed mild compared to some of their ministry spots. Still, how anyone could live under such conditions was a mystery. Lisa used to be sympathetic to these kinds of people until the night she was arrested and accused of being one of them.
    Still standing at the door, Lisa knocked harder this time. She hated coming over unannounced, but Liv was right—she had to nip this in the bud face-to-face. Considering the circumstances, the element of surprise was best.
    Suddenly the door opened, and to Lisa’s surprise, a young heavyset white woman with dusty blonde hair and several tattoosappeared, holding an infant baby girl on her hip. “Can I help you?” she asked suspiciously.
    â€œIs this the home of Kyle Lewis? I need to speak with his mother.”
    â€œI’m Kyle’s mother. Who are you?”
    â€œ You’re Kyle’s mother?” Lisa couldn’t believe that she’d heard the lady correctly. She looked too young to have a seventeen-year-old son.
    â€œThat’s what I said; who are you?”
    â€œUm. . .I’m Lisa Hampton.”
    â€œ Hampton as in Chanelle Hampton?”
    â€œYes. I’m her mother.”
    â€œOh, wow.” She smiled brightly, opening the screen door latch. “Please forgive my rudeness. Most people who come by here aren’t dressed as nicely as you are, so I didn’t know what to think. My first thought was that maybe you were a social worker or something. Anyhow, I’m sorry. Please, come in! Excuse the mess. We need to be out of here by the end of the month and, as you can see, I have tons of things to pack still.”
    â€œDon’t worry about it,” Lisa said politely, but the filthy carpet, cluttered boxes, and dusty furniture were enough to make anyone feel uneasy. The smell of smoked cigarettes didn’t help either.
    â€œI’m Stacie. It’s so nice to meet you.” She extended her hand and Lisa faked a smile to shake it. “Let me move some of these clothes out the way so you can sit down.” When Stacie set the baby on the floor so she could free her hands to make room on the couch, Lisa shuddered. The dingy carpet wasn’t fit for a cockroach—though she’d bet there was a cluster of them living there. “The least I can do is make you feel at home while you’re here.”
    Stacie could try all she wanted to make Lisa feel “at home,” but it wasn’t going to happen! As soon as Lisa’s bottom was introducedto the sofa, it screamed for relief from the uncomfortable springs. “I’m sorry for dropping by like this; I wanted to speak with you about Chanelle and Kyle.”
    â€œNo—No!” Stacie said to the baby girl who began pulling more junk out of the boxes. “Excuse me for just a second. . .Jameela!” she yelled. “Come get Nia. I have company.”
    â€œCompany” was a funny word for her to use. Lisa felt too uncomfortable in this pigsty to be considered as such.
    â€œSorry to interrupt you like that. I should’ve known better than to think she would stay out of things.” A young, biracial girl came into the room and got the baby. She didn’t bother making eye contact or acknowledging Lisa, which further proved Olivia’s point that this woman was ghetto. A decent mother would raise her children to be respectful and to speak to adults, especially when in the comfort of their own home. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you. I’ve been telling Chanelle for months now that we should get together. She’s been such a positive influence on Kyle. I can tell she comes from a real good home.”
    That little liar told me she met Kyle a few weeks ago! Lisa thought to herself.
    â€œI love your daughter like she’s one of my