Crystal Cook- Journal 6

Jackie Washington is a single parent. She has a thirteen year old daughter named Johanna. Times have been really hard for her and Johanna lately. She was recently laid off from her job of twenty years and she has not received child support in over three years. Her girlfriend Sasha talked her into relocating to Baltimore Maryland. At first Jackie was hesitant on relocating. She had lived in Cincinnati all her life and really had not been outside of the city for more than a week. But she thought, what do I have to lose, It cant be any worse than it is now. While unpacking, Jackie thought about all of the things that she would have to do to prepare for her new life. She needed to go to her interview on Thursday, she still had to get Sasha back and forth to school everyday because she was not comfortable allowing her to ride the bus yet. She needed to go to the grocery store. She wanted to make sure that she registered to vote and she also wanted to get a driver's license for the state of Maryland. She wondered if moving in the beginning of fall was such a good ideal but then she wanted to make sure that Johanna was settled in school and did not want her to fall behind. Jackie was very grateful to Sasha for setting up the interview but she was still nervous.
Friday was finally here. Jackie was excited about starting her new job on Monday. Even with all of her years of experience with the State of Ohio, she knew that the State of Maryland would be totally different, but she was up for the challenge. Jackie had just gotten off of the phone with Sasha when she heard Johanna come through the door.
"Hey Mom, how was your day today?"
" Baby today was a good day. I got a phone call today about the job and they want me to start on Monday."
"That's great mommy. Now we can go shopping."
"Hold up sister, not so fast. With the exception of groceries, we won't be shopping anytime soon unless we miraculously receive a check from your dad."
"Well I guess that rules that one out," Johanna said while rolling her eyes. They both started laughing.
"I talked to Sasha today and she wants us to go to church with her on Sunday. Is that cool with you?" Jackie was asking to be polite because she already knew that Johanna didn't have a choice...she was going to go.
"Sure mom, not that I have a choice." said Johanna.
When Jackie woke up Sunday morning she thought to herself, this weekend is going by so fast. She was really tired from the previous week with all of the unpacking and getting settled in but she wanted to make sure that she got up for church. She was going to go and give thanks for all of the positive things going on in her life and the negative things as well. Those are her learning tools. If she did not have to experience some hardships, she may be more likely to take the good things for granted. Jackie went into Johanna's room to wake her up and decided to make breakfast for them while Johanna was in the bathroom. They can both get a little antsy when they are hungry.
When Jackie pulled up to New Hope Church of Christ, her mouth dropped opened. She was not use to a church so large and there were people everywhere. She thought to herself, how in the
world am I going to find Sasha in there?
......To be continued