Latrice's Story

Chapter 4

A lifetime of emotions washed over Latrice as she watched the man who planted the seed that lead to her life, drive away. All of her hopes of one day having her daddy back, left at that moment. When Jamie got back to the car they headed to the mall. Latrice needed a distraction.. something different.. something fun. When they got to the mall, Latrice almost spent every dime she had buying clothes for her and for Jamie. They took pictures in the picture booth, played games in the arcade and ate in the food court. Just like other girls their age, Latrice and Jamie had a good time at the mall. As Latrice walked from store to store, her imagination took over. She pictured herself in a nice dress, getting ready for the school dance and being asked to the junior prom like other girls her age. As she and Jamie walked through the mall, Latrice saw herself in the little girl holding onto her mother as they walked in and out of various stores. Latrice remembered when her mother, sisters and brothers would go shopping as children. How they would have so much fun. Latrice remembered one time in particular when they went shopping and her mother bought everybody new clothes for Easter. She remembered how happy they were. Latrice remembered how they went to eat pizza as a family that day after they finished shopping. Latrice would give anything to have those days back. Watching the people in the mall triggered so many thoughts and emotions for Latrice. She assumed that everyone was living a better and happier life than she was. She would see mothers with their children, couples holding hands and teenagers laughing while having fun. She couldn't imagine that they were feeling the same internal pain she has to deal with every day. When Latrice saw that it was close to three o'clock, she put aside the money she would need for a taxi and headed to the car with Jamie. Latrice asked Jamie to drop her off so that she could get a taxi. Everytime Jamie would hear Latrice talk like that, Jamie knew Latrice was headed to see her secret person. Latrice could never let anybody know about her relationship with the pastor. Jamie dropped Latrice off and Latrice makes the journey to see her father figure, married pastor and secret lover. In Latrice's mind there was no greater wrong that she was involved in than her relationship with this man. She knows it would be an abomination to her family. The pastor's wife was her aunt's sister. Latrice knows what she is doing is so wrong, but in so many ways, she needs this man. When she sees now how insensitive and uncaring men can be, especially after being raped by Nelson, the pastor is the perfect man in her mind. In her mind, he has always looked after her and gave her money when she needed it. He came to her aunt's house on the down low and listened to her poetry while he rubbed oil on her legs. He would always ask her how she was doing and if there was anything that she needed. Her pastor, lover, has all the makings of a predator and Latrice is an unsuspecting victim. Latrice, now at her destination, gets out of the taxi and prepares her mind for her time with him.