I woke up in a hospital bed as I heard the monitor beep at a steady paste.I looked up to see a man with a clip board and smile on his face.
"You're finally awake."he said as he smiled at me.
"What happened?"I asked as I felt a headache coming in.
"Well you got into a car accident a few hours ago,but you'll be fine and would be able to go home by tomorrow."he said as I nodded my head.
"I'll be back to check on you in a few."he said as he exited the room.
Ughhhh.I looked at the time on my right as it read 5:58am.I sat up quickly as I grabbed the phone and called my mom.
"Hello"she said with a aggravated voice.
"Umm this is Aaliyah,can you watch Derrick for a couple more hours?"I said as all I heard was silence."....I got into a car accident and I don't know when I be able to get him."I said as my heart raced.
Nothing is more important to me than my son and I just want the best for him in every way but I just keep falling short.
"Hell no!I told you when you dropped him off what was the deal so I made him walk home."she said and hung up on me.
What the fuck!Tears streamed down my face as I processed in what she told me.She made a five year old walked home by his self late at night.I couldn't believe she just did that I jumped up as I felt pain in my back but brushed it off and put on my clothes and shoes.Anything could happen to him,especially walking from my mom house to mines.I don't even think he knows the way.
Manny things ran through my mind as I ran out of the hospital not giving a damn about what they had to say.
I looked around the parking lot looking for my car but to my surprise I crashed it so no I don't have a car any more.
I ran down the street and to the bus stop as I seen the bus coming my way.
"What's up with yo fine ass?"this ugly man said as he walked up to me.He smelled like horse shit and collar greens.
I ignored him as I got onto the bus as he mumbled "bitch!" Under his breath.I sat down as the bus pulled off.The 15 minute ride felt like eternity as it came to a stop.I jumped off the bus and ran all the way home and to my front porch to nothing.
I opened my front door and called the police and told them everything that happened.And you know what they told me?
We cannot file a missing report nor look for him because it haven't been 24 hours.
This is some bullshit.I threw my phone across the room as it smashed into little pieces.I didn't care,I want my son and I don't know where he is.
I screamed and cried for what seem like a hour as I got up off the floor and went outside.Aching back,headache,sleepy it don't matter I need to find him.
I walked down the street and followed the route all the way to my so call mom house.It seemed to take forever as I walked along the road as I seen the sun about to come up.I was tired but more importantly scared for my son.
I walked past stores asking people have they seen him but ended up empty handed.I blame my mom for this shit but I also blame myself for putting him in bad hands.But the weird thing about it is,he's always there with his grandma because I had no one to watch him so for this to be happening I'm surprised.
I walked with my head held low as I passed a dumster as a hobo sat down on the ground rocking back and forth.I walked over to him.
"Ummm excuse me have you seen my son?"I asked as he looked to me and back to the ground.
He held his head up as I looked into his eyes.His eyes told a story,that I my self couldn't understand.
His skin was pale,he was dark brown,had a head full of hair,he was skinny,with a mustache and he had light brown eyes.One of the lightest I've seen.
"How do he look?"he said in a deep voice.
"He's light brown,brown eyes,curly brown hair and he's five years old.The last time I seen him he had on a white polo shirt,khaki pants and a pair of white nike's."I said as tears fell down my face.
My chest felt heavy as he nodded his head.
"What's his name?"
"Derrick."I said quickly as he nodded again.
"Yes I have seen him."he said as my heart skipped a beat.
"Where is he?When did you see him?Is he okay?"I asked as my breathing got heavy.
"He's right here."he said as he opened up the box as my little Derrick layed there sound asleep.His shoes were gone and so was his shirt.His face was dirty and he had a couple cuts on his arms and a bruise on his back.I cried as I ran to him.I took him out the box and held him rocking back and forth as he cried.
"Mommy I was scared."he said as I cried harder.
"I'm so sorry."I said as I repeated myself over and over again.
I turned to my right as the guy looked at me.
"Thank y-you so much." I said as I cried.
"You're welcome."
I wipped my tears as I held my son tight.
"Mommy made a mistake and that mistake won't be made again."I told derrick has he held onto me tight with his eye's closed.
"I found him in the alley crying as a guy took his shoes and slammed him to the ground and walked away.A couple kids beat him up and I went over there and got him.I asked him where he stayed at but he couldn't tell me so I decided to watch after him and keep him safe."he said with sadness in his eyes.
"Thank you."I said as I hugged him.
Without him I would have never found my son,he could have been dead for all I know so I really appreciate what he has done.
"You're welcome."I said as I stood up and walked away.
I walked and turned in my tracks as I looked back at the skinny man sitting on the ground.
I walked back towards him as he showed no expression on his face.
"Im about to get something to eat,you can come if you want."I said as his eyes brighten up then saddened.
"That would be nice,but I dont have no money."he said as held a warm smile.
"It's okay,I'll pay for you it's the least I can do."I said as he stood up as Derrick held his tiny arms out to him.
He picked him up as Derrick talked to him the whole way to Golden Corral.
We walked in as I payed for us all to get in and got our food.I got Derrick pancakes,eggs, and a blueberry muffin.I got my self pancakes,bacon,eggs and a biscuit.I sat Derrick down as I waited for the man to come back.
Five minutes later he came back with two full plates of food.He had pancakes,waffles,eggs,biscuits, sausage,bacon,toast,a cinnamon bun and a blueberry muffin.
People looked at him like he was out of place as I rolled my eyes.People can be so damn rude.
"So what's your name?"I asked as he added sugar to his coffee.
"Travis Maraj,im 45 years old so how about you?"he asked as he sipped his coffee.
"I'm Aaliyah maraj and im 22 years old."I said as the conversation went on from there.
"So what is you story?"I asked curious.
"Well that depends,what do you want to know?"
"Well do you have any family?"I asked as he looked down at his plate and back up at me.
"Yes,I have one son name Tyre he's 24 and I have a daughter name Aaliyah and she's 22 just like you."
I looked into his familiar eyes as I shook my head at the crazy thought I was having.
"Umm....."I said as he looked at me.
"Is your mom name Sarah Washington?"he asked as my heart skipped a beat.
"Yes".
