Thank you ,
Malica
The Call
Ring,ring,ring I pick up the phone hello.
Hello my name is Lien how may I help you.
Silence as I pause so the other person can speak.
Hello this is Lien…. I hear the sniffling of what seems to be a young lady on the line. As she whispers my name is Sarah Lee.
I asked are you okay Sarah Lee? Are you in a safe place? Sarah Lee assured me she was okay. Sarah’s voice said otherwise. A five minute call quickly went to forty-five minutes of listening why she called my number by mistake. Sarah Lee and I agreed shortly after to meet immediately.
As I grabbed my keys and purse quickly ran out the door. Internally having a conversation weighing justice. Is it worth the risk? The answer was already within me screaming yes!!!! Entering the building the smell greeted me far before any face. I proceeded until Sarah Lee said Lien it’s me. 5’7 100 lbs. sopping wet, matted shoulder length hair, no shoes, and tattered clothing. My heart immediately broke for Sarah Lee it wasn’t for the current situation but for everyone who hurt her. I knew revenge was her aroma and this call was not by mistake.
Sarah Lee used her voice for the very first time. She was sick of being sick and was done; willing to run for freedom at all cost. The whisper quickly turned into grit with hope and confidence. I knew this wasn’t a teenager but a woman wrapped in wounds of shame. This woman was willing to let go of clothing of death. The future began to look brighter and we haven’t even made it to the house.
Fear spoke again but another step to trust was made. Weeping as the door opened and I said welcome home. Welcome home? Yes! Let me show you to your room. Over the door to her new room said Hope. The tour ended and I asked do you want to take a shower and eat? Yes,Yes but I have no clothes was her response. Don’t worry we do. Lien is this a dream are you an Angel? No, just someone who answered the call. Tears welled up we hugged this is another step we will walk together you are not alone.
I sat across the table knowing this was going to be a fight. As she ate plate after plate my thought, where is this food going? Lien? Yes, I have something to tell you go ahead. I think I am pregnant I just want to go home back to Boise. If that’s what you want I will make arrangements tomorrow morning. There is a movie playing in the living room have a seat on the couch and try to relax. I grabbed a comb and brush walked into the living room would you or should I? Sarah Lee said would you please? Yes, of course I sat next to her on the couch and started working. Emotions were flying like a tennis match back and forth. Sarah Lee grabbed my hand apologizing did I hurt you? No, was her response how can someone love me so much and you just met me. Hmmm… your worth it.
Sarah Lee tossed and turned unable to sleep so she knocked on the door. Rolling over I it was three am I got up. Are you okay? No, not really it’s to quiet. We walked to the kitchen offered her some chamomile tea and discussion. The download from the last twenty-four hours outweighed what some endure in a lifetime. Sarah Lee asked are you scared of me now? No. Quite the contrary hopeful the call was not a mistake.
I explained to Sarah Lee that we all have the option to answer a call.
Each of us can answer a call to something or someone. We were all created for a purpose.
Why do this?
What I didn’t say in the story is I have been fighting for justice since I was five years old answering calls since then in many varied ways. When Sarah Lee called I was sitting in a safe house as an Abolitionist for Human Trafficking hoping for an opportunity to serve. Sarah Lee experienced being trafficked in servitude, labor, and sexually trafficked.
Unfortunately, Sarah Lee’s story ended with me in 24 hours. I continue to answer the calls to see others walk in freedom, identity and so much more around the world. I’ve learned to let others in and release them when they are ready to go.
1 (888) 373-7888
National Human Trafficking Hotline
SMS: 233733 (Text “HELP” or “INFO”)
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Languages: English, Spanish and 200 more languages
Website: humantraffickinghotline.org
Malica Williams
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