ght of it happening to her daughter.”
“So I made her a promise. Told her I’d take care of Destiny until you got out. She smiled. Squeezed my hand. Then she was gone.”
“I promised a mother I’d protect her child. That’s what men do.” Thomas shifted Destiny in his arms.
“After she passed, I contacted CPS. Told them about the promise. They weren’t going to let me take her. I’m sixty-eight, single, ride a motorcycle. I look like exactly the kind of person they don’t give babies to.”
“So how did you get her?”
“I got forty-three character witnesses to testify on my behalf. I hired a family attorney. I passed every background check, home inspection, and parenting class they threw at me.” He smiled slightly. “Took six weeks, but I got emergency foster custody. And I promised the judge I’d bring Destiny to see you every single week until you get out.”
I couldn’t process what I was hearing. This stranger. This old white biker. Had fought the system to take custody of my Black daughter. Had promised my dying wife he’d raise our child. Had shown up at a prison to let me see my baby.
“Why?” I whispered. “You don’t know me. You don’t owe me anything.”
Thomas looked at Destiny, then back at me. “Because fifty years ago, I was you. Twenty-two years old. Locked up for stupid choices. My wife was pregnant. She died in a car accident while I was inside. My son went to foster care.”Continue reading…
