Her Freed Spirit

Slow Dances

The found raiser begins with Mr. White taking the stage with a mic in his hand. Mr White is 5'10 with an average body shape. His salt and pepper hair betrays his face. It shows he is in his fourties while his face can easily pass for a 30 year old. He always seems to have a slight tan to his white skin. I guess it's the perks of living in Miami.

"Good evening ladies and gentleman. Let me begin with thanking you for attending the Annual Taylor Charity Ball. As some of you may know I'm Christian White. The CEO of Taylor charity ball. This company was founded in Miami and always looks to give back to the community it has called home for over 80 years. I would like to ask members of the Taylor family to come up and grace us with a few words." Mr. White says with a smile. Jeremiah gets up from his seat and comes over to my chair helping me up. We make our way to the stage where we are met with Mr. White or Chris as he always begs us to call him. He gives Jeremiah a hug while I get a kiss on the check.

Jeremiah looks at me while the ballroom is filled with hushed voices. Probably due to this being the first time the Taylor family has been present at an event. Well we always are present but they never knew. Since I'm close to graduating High School, Uncle Mike and Jeremiah thought it would be a good idea for the public to put faces to our names. We live the normal life our parents always wanted but it's nothing wrong with accepting the family business.

Jeremiah holds the mic to his mouth and begins to speak. "Good evening everyone I'm Jeremiah Taylor. I would like to thank each and every one of you for taking the time out of your busy lives to be here tonight. Tonight is about changing lives and giving help to those who need it. All of us in this room have been blessed to not need help but we never know when things will change. So keep that in mind tonight as you give to those less fortunate than you. Thank you. Now my Sister would like to speak." Jeremiah finishes his speech while handing me the mic and pushing me closer to the eyes looking at us.

I take a few deep breaths and close my eyes before speaking. "Hello. I'm Sophia Taylor and tonight I ask that you give more than just money to those in need. We ask that you take the time to help make our community, you community better. Volunteering a few hours a month could give positive influences to youths who have a hard life. A lot of youth in our community feel as though everyone has given up on them because it seems as though life has. That's the reason we have Outreach programs so an adult will be able to mentor a child whose life could be changed from the help. Taylor Industries has always believed in helping those in need so one day they will be able to help others. We also ask that local businessmen and women offer a few hours a month teaching people tools to thrive in an work environment. We have local food drives and free child care for parents who work late. Some times in life all we need is another person to look at us and say 'I see your struggles and I'm here to help'. So with that being said there are clothes donations and food donations in the back hallway for those who have brought clothes and food to help our foundation. Thank you once again and please enjoy your night." I end my speech with a nervous smile and watch as people begin the applause for our speeches. Jeremiah leads me down the steps of the stage while holding my shoulders.

"You did great up there Sophy. Mom and dad would be so proud of you." He whispers to me while we make our way back to our table. Glancing at the table I see everyone smiling at us.

"Nice speech sis." Jamal said while giving us a hug. I tell him thanks and sit down in my seat. After closing my eyes for a few moments I open them to find curious Gray orbs locked on mine.

"Why so nervous? You have a speech at the Charleston community Center." Andre asks while taking the seat next to me.

"That's different. This was in front of businessmen and women who work with our company. It's like presenting myself to this world for the first time." I share my honest opinion.