“So, what are you in for Simone? Trafficking? Reliving my past trauma

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

As Angella walked down the path, I began to slowly look around taking in what was going to be my home for the next little bit. That hit me like a ton of bricks and I stopped for a moment to catch my breath. How long was I going to be here? The thought had not really crossed my mind, but now that I was being led to what was going to be my new life, it was something I had to consider.

Angella noticed I had stopped and turned around.

“Are you okay Simone?”

I think that she saw the look on my face, so she turned around and walked back to me.

“I know. Trust me. I know. It is so overwhelming right now. It is how I felt when I first arrived five years ago.”

Her words shot through me like lightning. Five years, I thought to myself. Five years. I couldn’t even think about this right now.

“You get used to it like anything else. No worries. Let’s go! I want to introduce you to your house mates.”

Whatever had frozen my feet to the floor finally allowed me to move them. I continued to follow Angella, as she led me down a corridor, which opened up into a courtyard. Again, I allowed myself to take in the beauty of the country. There were large, looming trees, with palm shaped leaves that seemed to blanket the sky. I could still see the brightness of the sun shining through, but the trees cast a beautiful shade.

As we walked through the courtyard, I began to feel like I was in an episode of Orange Is The New Black. I was the new girl after all, so the women who were there were taking me in. I was happy in a way that I didn’t speak Spanish, because I didn’t want to know what they were saying.

“You will be staying in the house with most of the English speaking women,” Angella told me as we continued to walk through the courtyard. “Your house has women from America, the United Kingdom, and Canada. I think you will be comfortable here.”

Comfortable, I thought to myself. That was a stretch. I kept my mouth shut because I know that she was doing her best to make me feel better.

“So, what are you in for Simone? Trafficking?

“That is a great question,” I responded. “To be honest, I have no idea. The paperwork is here, but I have not been able to make sense of it. It is all in Spanish.”

“So, you are not here for trafficking?” Angella seemed surprised. “Most of the girls here are here for drug charges. I am here for trying to bring drugs back to the States for my boyfriend. I know. Stupid right? We all have to learn our lessons in life I guess. I won’t lie to you. I am shocked that you have no idea what you are in for. Don’t worry! I am sure that you will find someone to translate your paperwork for you. We’re here!”

We had stopped in front of a building that looked similar to other buildings scattered across the courtyard. There were women hanging outside of the building, carrying on with what looked like a normal day for them. Angella went to speak to the guards who were standing outside of the building, and I stood there. I took a deep breath and tried my best not to look directly at some of the women who were staring me dead in the face. It was hard to figure out what to do in the moment.

Angella finished her conversation with the guards and walked back to me.

“You’re all set Simone. Welcome to your new home. I have to head over to the church, but I will come and check on you later. The guards are going to bring you in, and you will be directed to where you are going to sleep. Good luck!”

She turned around and walked away. I just stood there. The guards gestured to me, and I took another deep breath before I walked into the house.

“Here we go Simone!”