“What exactly is going on?”
Gianna gestured toward a chair.
“Please sit down. There’s something I should’ve told you yesterday.”
***
“First, how’s Sophie?” I asked.
Gianna smiled.
“She’s still in intensive care, but the doctors are encouraged.”
I felt relieved.
“Please sit down.”
Gianna folded her hands.
“Six years ago, I was 17 and pregnant.”
I waited.
“My parents weren’t supportive. I had nowhere stable to live, and I was terrified.”
She looked toward the doorway.
“Someone told me about this center. I came here hoping they could help.”
“I was 17 and pregnant.”
She picked up a photo that featured my daughter.
“That’s when I met Emily.”
My throat tightened.
“She changed my life.”
She explained that Emily was volunteering as a family support counselor.
When Gianna arrived, she was close to dropping out of school.
“She changed my life.”
“Your daughter sat with me for three hours,” Gianna said. “I kept apologizing for taking up her time. She told me, ‘People aren’t a waste of time.'”
