Joey

Chapter one

Joey. I named him before he was even a thought. I had always imagined having kids after I had a successful and stable career, but life had other plans. I had my baby boy at 15, as I had been raped by my father's best friend. When my mother found out I was raped she didn't care, or well not till she found out about him. She packed my bags and sent me to a foster home. After 8 months my water broke and out came Joey, but I had to make a choice to run away or to let my child be given to a couple who couldn't conceive, I had to decide by tonight.

I chose almost immediately, I chose to be selfish and keep him. So I waited for the nurse to fall asleep in the chair and I ran. I ran towards the nursery and I took my baby. I knew it was gonna be hard to get out of the hospital, but I didn't care. I ran through the hallway til I heard rather loud footsteps. I managed to get to the closest room, clutching my baby boy to my chest and I hid under a rather large and out of place desk. I prayed that Joey would not cry. The footsteps grew louder and a single tear ran down my cheek. Then I heard a voice," Come out, I'm not going to hurt you." The voice turned out to be a middle-aged doctor. Tears began to pour down and soon enough I was balling.

"Please don't take him from me," I choked out. I expected no compassion from this man, but the expression I received from staring into his eyes was nothing but guilt.

" I won't" he muttered briskly, he looked at me and before I could so much as react, his hand reached and pulled the fire alarm. When the alarm started to blare, the doctor began to sprint and motioned for me to follow. I did my best to keep up and to make sure that Joey would not get hurt. I kept up with him until we got to the second floor where he took me to a room and gave me my things. We barely managed to leave the building when the alarms shut off. We got into his car and sped off.

"Why are you helping us?" I asked quietly so to not wake Joey from his slumber, but the doctor didn't answer and kept his eyes fixed on the road.

"Where are you taking us?" I asked him urgently

This time he answered," To a women's shelter, where they'll take care of you and your baby till you can be on your own."

The rest of the car ride was completely silent.

*****

When we arrived at the women's shelter, I was given a room and some food for myself and everything Joey would need. There was a knock on the door, and an old lady came in," Here is a list of your chores that you must do," she practically growled.

" Yes ma'am, I will do them to my best ability," I answered politely. She glared but nodded. 

" Your child will be assigned a caregiver while you do your chores, and you will receive a minimum wage pay for all of your child's needs." She stated and left. 

I looked down at my baby and smiled. We made it.