Page 75 of Love From the Ashes

“My husband, Reid Morgan, was responsible for that. He thought documenting my story by putting everything I went through down on paper, along with my thoughts and fears, would be therapeutic and help me heal. And he was right. Talking about it and facing it head-on helped me move past the pain and deal with it in a healthy and productive way. Both my husband and his mother, Virginia Morgan, helped me see that I didn’t need to be embarrassed by my past. I didn’t choose it, and we can’t always control the hand dealt us, but we can certainly rise above it with the right resources. In my case, an abundance of love, understanding, and support from my husband and his mother helped make the difference.”

“You are such an inspiration to those facing difficult and challenging times. Along that line, I understand Morgan Systems has partnered with a local women’s shelter for more than twenty years. Your program trains and mentors women from the shelter in various jobs, hiring them full-time when possible. Your mother-in-law and company owner, Virginia Morgan, created the program. I understand it is now under your stewardship, and you’ve branched out, encouraging other Boston businesses to do the same. What made you get involved like that?”

“As you’re aware, since you read my book, I found myself at a women’s shelter due to circumstances beyond my control. It was yet another low point in my life, and I desperately needed help. I received that help when the shelter director sent me here to interview for a job. Morgan Systems, in particular Virginia Morgan, gave me a chance, and that chance turned my life around. I wanted to do the same thing for others and to encourage other companies to get involved. There truly are not enough resources available, particularly for women needing help. I was also fortunate to have a manager here at Morgan Systems who believed in me. He saw I possessed an array of untapped skills and became my mentor. His kindness and encouragement were instrumental, along with my husband’s support, in pushing me to continue my education, which I thought was out of my reach. And I’m happy to say I just received my bachelor’s degree in marketing because of it.”

“That’s quite a feat. I understand you dropped out of high school and pushed yourself to get your GED years later.”

“I did, and following it up with a bachelor’s degree feels wonderfully satisfying, especially after thinking for so long that it was an unattainable goal.”

“What’s next on the horizon for you?”

“Well, I’m currently collaborating with Virginia Morgan on finding sponsorships and funding for a day center for troubled teens. I grew up in a toxic and abusive environment, constantly scared and feeling cornered, with no escape hatch. I lived day to day with no hope of a happy or normal future. I was fifteen when I traded my body and self-respect to a man much older than me to protect myself from physical harm and a forced future of prostitution. It was humiliating and degrading, and something I would never have done had I had options and resources at my fingertips. If we can save just one teenager from becoming another negative statistic and put them on a positive path, then we’ve succeeded in our goal of making a difference.”

“What do you envision this project to look like?”

“Our goal is to create a safe place for troubled youth where they can receive counseling, partake in a mentoring program if they so choose, receive referrals for shelters and housing if they need to escape from a toxic environment, take free classes that teach basic life and work skills, and offer employment assistance. It sounds like a lofty goal, but I want to offer access to resources that I wish I’d had when I faced a future of hopelessness.”

“I commend you for your desire and dedication to take on this project. I understand you and your husband have a daughter and expect another child soon. Did having a child play into your decision to help troubled teens?”

“To a small degree, it did. Our daughter will be four years old in a couple of months, and she is such a treasure. My husband adores her as she does him, and we provide her with a balanced, safe, loving, and protected environment. I want to help youth who have no idea what that is like.”

“Again, I commend you for your contributions to the Boston community and desire to help our youth. I enjoyed meeting you and appreciate your giving me your time for this interview. I wish you the best in all your endeavors.”

“Thank you, Mr. Shaw. Let me walk you out.” I got up from my chair when Mr. Shaw stood and escorted him to the exit by Mavin’s desk.

“Thank you again, Ms. Morgan.”

“You’re welcome, Mr. Shaw. If you have any other questions about our programs, please feel free to contact me.”

“I will. Have a good day.”

“You as well.” I watched Mr. Shaw exit through the door to the lobby, and then I turned to Mavin. “I think the interview went well. If we’re lucky, it might open the door to some added funding for the youth day center. Speaking of the day center, is Ginny here? We have our meeting to discuss the sponsorships and funding in a few minutes.”

“I’m here,” Ginny said, walking up behind me.

The door to the lobby opened right then, and we both turned, spotting Reid walking toward us with our daughter by his side, the two of them holding hands.

“Look who I found,” Reid said, grinning at us.

“You mean look who you just pulled from day care,” I laughed.

“Hey, her teacher didn’t mind. Besides, it’s Friday, and I’ve taken care of everything I needed to work on today and have no more meetings or conference calls this afternoon. I figured I could spend some time with Evie and have a warm bubble bath waiting for you when you get home, seeing how you deserve some extra attention after everything you’ve accomplished recently.”

“Oh, I won’t argue with that.”

“Daddy, can we read a story?” Evie looked up at her father and tugged on his hand. “I want the fish story.”

“Yes, sweet pea, of course. We can read some books while we wait for Mommy to get home. She and Grandma still have some work to do.”

Mavin and Ginny looked at each other and smiled.

“He spoils her, doesn’t he?” Mavin said in a teasing tone to Ginny.

“Yes, he does. My granddaughter has her father wrapped around her little pinky.”

“Hey, only a little. I do have my limits,” Reid said, laughing.

I shook my head and grinned, turning to Ginny and Mavin. “No, he doesn’t. He spoils her constantly.”

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