The Big Night

Sara felt a swarm of buzzing wasps in her stomach. These were no mere butterfly flutters. This was her big night. She watched ladies in evening dress with faux fur capes and black velvet pumps enter the building. Men wore coats and ties. She choked on the image of them in tuxedos. Were they really all here to hear her? She tried to smooth the front of her own dress, but was afraid that her shaking hands and sweaty palms would mar the red satin.

Jenna Whittaker met her at the door. "Sara, you look wonderful!"

"Thanks." Sara's eyes scanned the crowd milling in the ornate lobby. They all looked so rich, drinking champagne and mingling in small groups.

"Are you nervous?" Jenna asked as she led Sara into the closed ballroom. Sara took in the linened tables, the hurricane lamps elegantly protecting tapered candles, and the flower arrangements that hugged the glass. The lighting in the room was dim, save for the spotlight up on stage. That's where she would stand. She gulped.

Jenna must have spotted the terror in her eyes because she clasped Sara's hands in hers. "Don't be nervous. Just be yourself. These people want to help. Just tell them your story, like you told me."

Sara nodded, but she couldn't imagine standing in front of these people and explaining how bad her home life had become. Was she supposed to tell them about not having any food for her or her baby? Was she supposed to tell them how her boyfriend left one night and called the electric company and had her electricity cut off so he could have the deposit money? Was she supposed to say how cold and scared she was, sitting there in the dark, wondering what to do? Frightened that he would come back?

She glanced over at Jenna. That was exactly what she was supposed to do. She was supposed to tug on their heartstrings and have them open their wallets to donate to the Helping Mothers fund. Jenna said she was one of their success stories and that by telling her story, she could help other young mothers who were in as desperate need as she was. Sara gulped and felt tears well in her eyes. She was grateful for all the help they'd given her. She even had a job now, and free daycare for little Tyler while she took night classes and got her GED. But how could she explain what life was really like to these people? They could never understand.