A 21 year old, single mother. Five years ago, at the age of 16, she was brutally beaten and raped by her ex boyfriend Raymond Brown.

Raymond Brown, 28, a young man who was

Nine months later after the incident, she birthed a beautiful baby boy, Christian Malik Marshall. Christian, an obedient young boy, who loves meeting new people. He's very caring and lovable. Christian is all Sarah has to a family. Sarah and Christian are strong, faithful believers in Christ, hence the name Sarah had given Christian.

That one night of the attack, Sarah's life changed forever.

I waited patiently at the bus stop, hopin' and prayin' ma' bus will come. Sorry, ma' name is Sarah Jeanie Marshall. I'm turnin' 17 in five mo' days.

I can't wait. I'm so excited. I'm goin' ta' spend ma' birthday wit' ma' parents, Kevin and Sierra Marshall. I was goin' ta' spend wit' ma' boyfrien' Raymond, but we're takin' a big break right now.

He felt like since I'm still in high school, with teenage boys, I'll cheat on him. Which is the most dumbest statement eva'. The school I go to, there's cute boys there. Plus, they're a bit stupid. What eleventh grader doesn't know how to write a proper thesis statement? Or doesn't know probability and statistics? Or pre-calculus? I mean, I was learnin' high school lessons in seventh and eighth grade.

Anyways, Ray's bein' insecure as always...

"Crap, now I'm hungry and ma' bus is down the street." I glance down the street to see a local corner store at the end of the street.

Maybe if I run down thea', buy ma' chips, my bus will show up in front of the store. Yup, exactly what I'll do.

I began to walk down to the corner store. I hear a horn beep and I turn around. I see a black Jeep ahead and immediately get nervous. I know about all the craziness in the world, I'm not dumb! And on top of dat' in the streets of New Awlins, you don't makes it ta' 24 lackin'.

BEEP BEEP

I jump hard, prayin' that it's jus' ma' imagination.

I finally made it ta' the store, thankin' God. I bought my chips and as I walked out my bus rode by, passin' me in the process.

"No!" I screamed, running after it. I groaned, throwin' ma' hands up in the air. "Crap! I'm so stupid!"

All fa' a stupid bag of hot cheetos.

When it got to far, I stopped. What am I doin' runnin' after a movin' bus.

"Aye," I turn around, seein' the black jeep. As I was about to run away, the window to the Jeep rolled down and see my boyfriend, Raymond. "Babe, get in da' car."

Raymond is 21 years old and way more mature than I am. He has tattoos on both arms and some on his chest and back. I know what you're thinkin', but he just completes me. He taught me how I am supposed to be treated by a older man and I can honestly say I want to be with him for the rest of my life. I luh him so much!

"Baybeh, you scared da' hell outta me! What da' fuck?" I say, steppin' inta' his jeep. "What're doin' hea'? You're suppose ta' be at work and who's car is this?"

"I got plans right na' and dat' shit gotta wait. Some bitch was talkin' outta the side of ha' neck earlier, na' I gotta fix ha' pro'lem." He said in his deep New Awlins accent.

"Who?"

"Don't worry 'bout dat. It's gon' get dealt wit'."

"Okay," I nod.

I lay my head on the window, feelin' sleep take over me.

"Dawg, what da' fuck she doin' hea'?! She don't need ta' be hea'. Get dat' bitch out!" I heard.

"What happen ta brin' ha' hea', my nigga?"

"Man, I ain' gettin' involved, do ya shit, dawg."

"Tell em bitch ass niggas ta leave, I need ta' be alone wit ha."

"Aight, my nigga. Do you thang and get rid of ha. We'll be down the street at Quick and Easy."

I opened my eyes as I heard a small whisper in ma' head say, "Get out." It was as if ma' body stiffened and I could sense somethin' was wrong.

I wake up fully and rush to get my things. As I rush to grab my phone, the do' opens and I see Raymond standin' thea'.

"What are you doin'?" He asked.

"I was leavin', I really need ta' get home, befo' ma' parents start ta' worry." I said back.

"You not leavin' me." He said, walkin' up on me.

I backed up, confused. "I'm not leavin' you, I'm just goin' home."

"I said you not leavin' me." He said calmly.

"Ray, I have ta' leave--"

"NO!" He grabbed my arm, grippin' it in his muscled hand. He grabbed my shoulder shovin' me ta' the wall. He walked up, slappin' me ta' the ground.

"Ray!" I screamed, tears threatenin' to spill. "Why are you doin' this ta' me?"

"Shut up, bitch. I told ya I was gon' get cha shit one way or anotha, didn't I?" He yelled.

"Ray. I-I don't understand. Just let me leave, please, let me leave. I'm sorry." I said.

"Gimme what I want, bitch, or ima take dat shit real muthafuckin' quick." He said and I jumped off the floor quickly, headin' for the do'.

He grabbed me by the waist, throwin' me onna' floor again. He got down on one knee, holdin' ma' head still befo' sendin' punches to ma' face. I scream, tryin' to block.

"Stop!" I yelled, scratchin' him in the eyes. "Get off me."

He got up, kickin' me in the sides multiple times. I cried out in pain. He jerked me up on my feet and spat in my face... literally.

I push him off me, wiping his disgustin' saliva off my face and slapped him hard.

"You bitch." He punched me in the eye and I fall on the bed crying as I cradled my eye.

"Please," I cried, scootin' away from him.

"Nah. I'm takin' ya' shit taday."

He tore my clothes off me and swiftly unzipped his pants.

"Please, I won't tell anyone anythin', just let me leave. I promise, you won't ever see me again, please let me go." I begged, hopin' he'd come to his senses.

"I said shut the fuck up. Like I muthafuckin' said, I'm takin' my shit. Na' shut up and spread dem legs, bitch."

"Get off me!" I screamed, punchin' his square in the nose. As the blood rushed out his nose, I ran toward the door, not caring that I was only in my undergarments. I ran to the livin' room befo' I was thrown on the couch. I screamed loud, hopin' the people walkin' by would hear my loud screams.

"I got cha' na'." I raise my fist to throw more punches. He grabs both my wrists with his left hand, while the right hand was slowly makin' me unconscious.

I feel liquid runnin' down ma' face to ma' neck, covering ma' chest. "Please." I said, chokin' on my own blood.

"Die, bitch."

I opened my eyes as much as I could before utterin' my last two words. "Fuck you."

He punched me one more time, knockin' me completely out.

◈◈◈◈◈

For the next months, I had stayed hea' with Ray. I had finally turned 17 on the 20th of September and all I got was beat and beat and guess what beat. As New Years rolled around I was finally found by the police who had been searchin' fa' me for two months now. They put Raymond in jail with no bail for illegal possession of drugs, sexual assault, and attempted murder.

My parents were so happy I was home, but when they found out I was pregnant with a bastard child, they became infuriated. The gave me an option of gettin' a abortion or go to my aunts house in Atlanta and keep the baby. At first I really wanted to get an abortion. I didn't want anything to do with any thing that came from Raymond, but I couldn't kill ma' child.

My decision was final and as they promised, they shipped me off to Atlanta to my aunt's house to have nothing to do with me.

I dropped out of school my 12th grade year, because of bullyin' and harassment.

FLASHBACK

"Ms. Marshall, please report to the main office." Mr. James said.

I nodded and tried to get out the desk, but it was hard to. My back ached and my feet were swollen.

"Fat ass." I heard someone mumble before the whole class burst out in laughter.

"John, shut up. At least she has a reason to be big. What's your reason, big bitch?" My only friend Leena said, rollin' her eyes.

"Shut up Lee, whicho dick suckin' ass."

That was the last thing I heard before I'm waddled my way out of class and into the office.

"Sarah, Mrs. Johnson asked to speak with you." The assistant principal asked.

I nodded and asked, "Is she ready na'?"

"Not yet, give her twenty minutes, she's in a meeting with a parent." I nodded.

I rubbed my belly, feeling the baby kick. I was going on 8 months and my baby made sure to let itself known.

"What are you having?" Some girl asked.

I shrugged, "I ounno' the gender."

"Is your boyfriend happy?"

"I don't have a boyfriend." I said, sighin' feelin' ma' angel power kick me.

"How'd you get pregnant then?"

Bad choice number one:

"I was raped by my ex."

"Damn girl. I'd abort that damn mistake real quick."

"Ma' baby ain' no mistake, I'm not tryna' be mean or anything, but can you leave me alone." I sighed.

She rolled her eyes and walked away.

I sat in the chair for almost 30 minutes before the principal came out.

"Sarah, come in."

I got up and walk into her private office. I sat down as she closed the door.

"Sarah, how are you?"

"Could be better."

"Now, I bet you're wondering why you're here and I'm going to tell you, my husband is having this huge dinner tonight and I know you're less fortunate and I'm inviting you and your bundle of joy to come."

"Okay." I said, shruggin'.

"Okay, also your grades are dropping, come look at it." Her computer was up and I walked over to it and saw almost all Fs.

"I know you're not dumb Sarah and you know you're not dumb, so what is this? You're failing all your classes. You have to improve, do you need a tutor?" He asked.

I shake my head no, with tears in ma' eyes.

"What is it then? At this rate you could be expelled."

"Can I leave?" I asked.

She sighed and nodded. I walked out and went to lunch. I grabbed my lunch and sat wit' Leena.

"You okay, you looked bummed."

Mistake number two:

"I'm failin' the twelfth grade."

"Whaa--How?!"

I shrugged.

"This is a conspiracy!"

I shrugged and noticed people were eyeballin' me. I began to feel self conscious.

"They're starin' at me." I whispered.

"Who?"

"Everyone."

She shrugged. "Let them look. Feed my nephew."

"How do you know it's a boy?"

"I don't, but I have a gut feeling it is."

"I guess."

My aunt dropped me off and as I got out the car, I could feel da' stares again.

"Goodbye Sarah." My aunt said.

I waved and walked inside the buildin'.

"Hey Sarah," I turn ta' see this hot guy named Chance in front of me.

"Yes,"

"How much do you charge for head?"

"Huh?"

"Head? How much do you charge? I heard yo shit is lit and I need my dick sucked so," he threw a dollar at me. "Get to work."

"Aye Chance, tell that bitch you want yo kids in her mouth and not in her uterus." John yelled, laughing with all his friends.

I walk away feelin' embarrassed, I feel tears spillin' out.

"AYE Y'ALL, SARAH GIVING A THREE FOR ONE SPECIAL. TWO DICKS IN HER MOUTH AND ONE IN HER PUSSY!"

"Stop, she'll tell the cops y'all raped her nasty ass."

"I heard she fucking Mrs. Johnson."

"She can fuck me. Pregnant pussy the best."

"I just need my dick suck. I know she right for that her dumb ass."

"Her dumb ass is failing the twelfth grade."

"Say she only good for sucking dick."

I had enough. I walked out of school and never returned.

On the 28th of May, my baby boy was born and he looked nothin' like Ray in ma' eyes. To me, he looked like an angel. His eyes were golden brown. His hair was a mixture of wavy and curly. I couldn't be more happy with the beautiful creature God had sent to me.

After havin' to find work desperately to provide for my son and I, my aunt kicked Christian, my son and I out.

I stayed in a shelter for three whole months, before leavin' to get a real home. Christian wasn't even one and he managed to get a serious cold that could have killed him. He stayed in the hospital with Mrs. Johnson until he got better.

And through the grace of God, he was healed and was growin' up to fast.

When I turned 18, I worked at a coffee shop and was only gettin' paid less than minimum wage fa' only fo' days. But some good came out of workin' at the coffee shop. I met with a huge music producer who was lookin' fa' people to become his assistant.

Of course I ran after the deal. At first I thought I wasn't qualified for the position, because I dropped out of school so early, but I prayed and God worked fast and diligently, I got the job and Mr. Peter Jones offered to buy my apartment and pay my rent and bills for the first five years of workin' fa' him.

One less burden off ma' shoulders.

But, I still had Chris to tend to, so I asked Peter if I could bring my son along, since I couldn't afford to get a babysitter almost every day. Mr. Jones was more than okay with me bringin' ma' son along with me ta' work.

As Christian got older, so did I. I was no longer naïve. I knew how dangerous this world could get. My family had disowned me and I was by ma'self and for the first time since Ray, I was aight with ma' life.

God hadn't forgot about me, when everyone else did. God had love on me, when everyone else didn't. When I had no one, God sent me a beautiful, intelligent son.

All in all, I was lost and now I have a purpose in life.