Echo Of Her Cry

By Jamie Jones

Myla Pickins was the average carefree teenager living what seemed to be the perfect life. With successful parents in the food industry, a fun-spirited best friend, and the love & attention of almost every high school girl's dream guy, life couldn't be more rewarding-that is until devastating news, at least for an unwed teenager, abruptly halts her fun. While eventually accepting the upcoming role of motherhood, and with the support of her parents and boyfriend, Bernard, Myla begins to understand the changes she needs to make to improve her life. But the story is just beginning to unfold. Discover the shocking secret that will turn her world upside-down and force her to make decisions she never imagined. Will she break under pressure, or will she find the strength to move forward?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jamie Jones
• Release date: May 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9780985495602

Jamie Jones

Jamie Jones is ready for her close up. She always did have a passion for writing since she was a little girl. Going from writing stories that only her family could read and writing scripts as a little girl in which she would act out all the characters; this 27 year old stay at home mom decided she is ready to share her passion of writing with the world. She once had a desire to have a successful music career, until she realized that being an author was not only a passion but it just fit her perfectly. After facing a number of rejections growing up trying to strive for a music career; she decided she would self-publish her debut novel, Echo of Her Cry to be in control of her own destiny. That’s when Passion Street Publications was born in which she is the CEO and Founder of. Jamie makes it clear that she would love to be signed to the right publisher. Until then; she is determined to be a respected self-published author.Jamie loves being with her family. She and her husband and 2 year old daughter reside in Houston, Texas.

Book preview

Echo of Her Cry

Myla’s Journey to Find Peace From Within

Echo of her cry

Smashwords EDITION

* * * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

Delphine Publications on Smashwords

© 2011 Delphine Publications

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Prologue: No one should EVER have to end up here…

I lie face down on the concrete. Bloody, bruised, crying, struggling to stand…where am I? Who can I call for help? Immediately a vision of my cell phone popped into my head. I saw it just where I left it–in Benny’s room. I crawl, finding the strength to rise to my feet. I’m not very familiar with the location, but I think it’s close to my cousin’s house. I manage to hail a taxi that is leaving the neighborhood. It feels as though only seconds have passed as the driver parks. I limp until houses are within view. Thankfully, the neighborhood is way closer to Dennis than I thought. Staggering, I head down the street, constantly looking over my shoulder hoping they’re not behind me. The very thought forces me to try my hardest to run, regardless of the pain. Weak and numb from walking, my legs give way, forcing me to the ground. The initial shock of the pavement crashing into my face leaves me breathless, so breathless I fall into the temporary comfort of my body lying still. The comfort lasts but a second as thoughts of my attackers finding me jolt me to my feet. The next few moments are a blur, but I am thankful to find myself at Dennis’ doorstep. ‘Ding-dong!’ Screams of terror fire from the mouth of his wife, Joanna, at the sight of my bloody and swollen face. I still remember that horrific moment like yesterday. Like a CD spinning on repeat, it plays over and over and over in my head.

Chapter 1: Can’t live with ‘em, Can Hardly live without ‘em

I’m Myla Pickins. I’m nineteen years old, and I’m a native of Atlanta, Georgia. This story is part of my therapy. I’m writing it because it is my way of expressing what I’ve gone through, what I’m going through and where I’d like to be. I would also like other young girls to be able to relate to my experience, to know they are not alone and to never feel ashamed. I entitled it, Echo of Her Cry–her referring to me, of course. An echo is symbolic of a repetition. My echo symbolizes constant crying. Think of how crying eventually fades. It’s all a part of my healing process! I’m still working up the courage to free myself of anything negative that I’ve allowed to paralyze my growth, though. Humph. I’ve got a long, long way to go.

Enough about that right now. I graduated from high school last year, which was a huge accomplishment for me. Yay! My parents are Deanna and Clive Pickins. They are both professional chefs. I didn’t grow up within a certain religion, but I was raised to have morals and common sense. My parents are very traditional. When they are home, it’s mandatory for us to eat our breakfast and dinner as a family. They totally speak against pre-marital sex and any guy I talk to, even if we’re just friends, will be thoroughly interrogated by my dad who, might I add, looks quite intimidating. He’s 6’3’’ and weighs over four hundred pounds. My mom, on the other hand, is 5’6’’, has silky brown skin and is kind of heavy set. She has the biggest, most beautiful brown eyes. My dad always tells the story of how her eyes caught his attention from across the room when they first met, not to mention her glowing personality.

Speaking of personality, let’s rewind to four years ago. I was fifteen in the tenth grade. My personality has always been very outgoing, and when I wanted something, I usually just went for it. You can say I’m very confident. I’m sassy but extra classy. I’m an average height with a medium frame. I hope I don’t sound too conceited by stating I’m shaped like the number eight. ‘Booyah!’ Just kidding. I love myself, but I’m far from snooty. I get my skin and eyes from my mom. My natural hair is shoulder length, but I begged my parents quite often for extensions. Sometimes they gave in to the idea, but for the most part, my mom encouraged me to embrace my youth as much as possible. I can’t shake the feeling of my hair flowing in the wind. It makes me feel like the girls in the videos, and what makes it even better is that guys at my school always told me I was pretty and that I belong in a video anyway. Pretty cool, huh?

Well, it was the last day of school; I was hanging with my best friend, Benita. Now she’s what you call wild. She’s very cocky, too. She’s on the slim side, very tall and even resembles Tyra Banks a little. When we first met, we didn’t get along, but the more we got to know each other, the more we became inseparable. We were always together. When you saw her, you saw me vice versa. I had a crush on her next door neighbor, also a student at our school, and he made it clear that he felt the same way about me. Anyway, Benita said she would give us some space while she chatted on the phone with her boyfriend. First of all, her mom, Miss Terri, was supposed to be watching us, but she trusted us enough to give us space to have a little fun around the house or in her yard while she took at nap. I mean, we’d never given her a reason not to trust us, so we made it quite easy to blink and not make her feel like she had to keep a close eye on us.

My parents were in California on a cooking assignment for a special event. My mother trusted Miss Terri because she had met her and because of my friendship with Benita. Back to my crush – snow white teeth, mesmerizing smile, chocolate skin, pipin’ arms, buff chest, low haircut, even with his hat oh-so-heavenly cute! Bernard Lewis. He’s what I considered perfect. He was very popular at our school. I wouldn’t be surprised if every girl day dreamed about him. He was just that handsome. Everybody called him Benny. He was two years older than me, which made him seventeen. He had a very laid back attitude. Nothing seemed to bother him, and he spoke in one even tone the majority of the time. It was something about his nonchalant attitude that I just couldn’t get enough of.

Well anyway, he was at home with his older brother. But that didn’t matter. His brother allowed him to do anything he wanted to do. Very weird guy. He never spoke to me; he would just open the door and call Benny to the front of the house. So this being the last day of school, I went over to Benny’s house to talk. He invited me into his bedroom. I was a little nervous at first, but I proceeded because I really liked the guy. I mean, I say crush but dang, we’d been knowing each other for two years, so we weren’t necessarily strangers. We used to hang out at our school in study hall all the time. As we sat on the bed, we talked about getting to know each other on a personal level. That conversation must have lasted about an hour. I was starting to get nervous that Miss Terri was up from her nap, and that feeling intensified when my cell phone rang. It was Benita.

My mom is wanting to know where you are. I told her you went to speak to your aunt for a minute and that you were gonna head back shortly.

She cleared her throat and coughed. That was our cover code. When we were covering for each other, we would clear our throat and cough so the other would know to play along. I didn’t have an aunt that stayed nearby. Benita knew, but Miss Terri didn’t, and that’s all that mattered. Although I had a cousin she’d met before who lives around the corner, I wasn’t going to risk saying his name and have her possibly call and check. Miss Terri grabbed the phone from Benita.

Myla, now you know better young lady. You need to get back now! I am responsible for you!

Yes! Umm….I’m at my aunt’s, but I’ll be back shortly.

If you’d rather stay there, you and I need to clear that up with your mom.

No. I’m on my way! I yelled nervously.

She handed the phone back to Benita while stating in the background that she was headed to the grocery store and that her oldest daughter was on her way.

As nervous as I was feeling, I wasn’t leaving Benny anytime soon. And knowing Miss Terri was headed to the store made me even less nervous. I had more time on my hands. I was always a risk-taker, especially when it came to Benny.

Where does your aunt stay?

I don’t have an aunt in this area.

He laughed, Y’all are some risky girls. I would love to see the look on your face if she asked your mama about her.

Putting my hand on my chest, I let out a nervous laugh.

Don’t say that! I would just faint.

Even knowing Benita’s sister was on her way didn’t bother me. She was similar to Benny’s brother, seemed like. She didn’t care what Benita and I did as long as we were safe. As I watched from the window as Miss Terri backed out of the driveway, I resumed my conversation with Benny. He started smiling as he grabbed my arm.

So I’m gonna get right to the point. I like you.

I blushed trying not to laugh and replied shyly,

I know you do. I like you, too.

Trying to pretend I wasn’t excited about him liking me, I looked away, played with my hair a bit and put my hand on my hip.

I’m going to head back next door before Miss Terri gets back, but I would like to exchange numbers.

He slowly looked me up…and down.

What are you rushing for? We got time. Just chill for a minute.

I agreed that I would stay a little while longer.

So, Myla, tell me what kinds of things you like to do for fun.

Well, because of my confident personality, it may be hard to believe that it’s something so simple; anything that involves people I love is priceless to me. Whether it’s going to a restaurant, attending a family get together, having a girls’ night out or a picnic, it doesn’t matter. I’m very easy to please when it comes to recreation.

He looked a