Chapter 31—Raine

These kids have meant so much to me over the years. When I left them, I was guilty. I tried not to think about them so that I wouldn’t have to feel that pain. But I was never able to put them out of my mind. I'm so happy to be here with them right now. I was worried they were mad at me. But all I feel right now is love. My fear of Ezekiel kept me from saving them sooner. But Jade helped me to open up, and to want more from life. She blames herself for the leak of that video. But if it wasn’t for that, these woman and children would all still be slaves. Jade not only saved me, but she in essence saved them too.

We spend the day talking and laughing with my family. I hope we can all stay in touch when they are back with their original families. The women who don’t have any parents alive told us they want to be somewhere close to us. That makes me really pleased. I can stay close to these kids. Maybe I can still teach them things. Help them adjust to this new world they will be thrown into.

Mom is talking with the women. She is reassuring them that they are safe. She suggests that they all get some counseling. She tells them that they are valuable, and they aren’t ruined. He took a part of their lives, but not all of it. She tells them they are all beautiful and precious. He beat down these women so badly. It’s disgusting. They don’t seem to have any self-confidence. But Mom did. She told me once that she always had hope because of me.

We say some very long, tearful goodbyes and promise to stay in touch. The little ones are holding me around the neck, trying to keep me here. I would take every one of them home with me if I could.

We take a very long plane ride home. I wish I could just be alone with Jade for a while and talk to her about how I'm feeling right now. I also feel anxious about heading back to a possible confrontation with Ezekiel. I know he’s out there looking for us. And he has no intention of letting me live. Jade is asleep with her head on my shoulder. I turn and give her a little kiss on the top of her head. I can still smell the strawberries. That smell will forever remind me of Jade. I'm thinking seriously about telling Mom how I really feel about her. I have no idea how that conversation will go down.

Now that we have decided to tell the police about our life, I think I'm ready to contact my real Dad. I felt so good seeing those kids today. I wonder how he would feel about meeting me. Would he freak out, or be happy? I guess I won’t know until I give him the chance to show me. I'm going to tell Mom tomorrow.

When we land, I wake Jade and we head back to our car in the parking lot. Its late at night. So, there aren’t many people in the airport. All the restaurants in the airport are closed. So instead of heading straight home, we drive thru In N Out burger. I could eat a horse. Jade laughs at me. Mom is asleep in the front seat. Jonah is driving with the music playing. “I was so proud of you today,” Jade whispers in my ear as I eat. “Is that so?” She nods. “Seeing you with your brothers and sisters. The way you entertained them with your story, and then your music. I just wanted to kiss you.” A smile consumes my whole face. “Well, I guess I need to play with little kids more often then, huh?”

We get back to Jades and Jonah carries my sleeping Mom in. He puts her in the guest room. Jade and I sit at the kitchen table talking about everything that happened today. I tell her a few things about some of the kids she met today. We are laughing and enjoying ourselves like we did before I told her all my secrets. It feels comfortable again. I'm not afraid of what she is thinking of me. I know she loves me despite my past.

“I want to meet my Dad,” I tell her suddenly. “Raine. I think that’s awesome! I know he’s going to be so happy to get to know you. You are really an amazing person. He will be proud of his son.” “I hope so Jade. But what if he has a life now that he doesn’t want to change. He has a wife. She probably wouldn’t be happy to suddenly have an ex-girlfriend and a kid show up.” She laughs. “Raine, you aren’t exactly a little kid she’s going to have to take care of. And your Mom obviously has a boyfriend she loves. So, she isn’t a threat to her.” “I guess you’re right. I'm just a little nervous. I'm going to ask Mom tomorrow to get in touch with him.” Jade and I decide we need some sleep. She heads to her room, and I go to the office. It’s been a long, eventful day. I fall right to sleep.