Finding Family

by Cali Tatum

edited by: Steve Bourque

Chapter 1

The small red brick building stands unassuming.  It looks a little out of place in the middle of buildings with boards over the windows. The empty buildings are a solemn reminder that there really is a war imploding in Detroit. I pull in off of Schoolcraft and park in the street.  There is no front door. So I walk around to the back of the building off the alley. A sign reads, “God’s Property. Please Act Accordingly.” I am not sure how to behave on God’s property, but I have a feeling I am going to find out. 

The door is locked. I ring the doorbell and a man opens the door. Before my experience at City Mission, I would have referred to him as a black man. But, I have learned on God’s property, he is a brown man.  He is in his 30’s and has wonderful braids that are gathered by a band. Don’t let his title of Maintenance Director fool you. He, in essence, is the heartbeat of God’s property. Anytime anyone needs nearly anything, we have to ask Khalid. His name is as exotic as he is. He is the go-to guy and he makes things happen with a smile. He is the guardian angel on God’s property.

My first meeting is with a brown woman who sports lovely coffered curls that canopy her happy face. Her name is Toni. Her smile ricochets you into next week and she listens when you speak. You can see her thinking, processing your words. She has a photo of her son above her computer in her cubical. Her desk is in order and clean. Her attire is fresh and pressed.  She is thoughtful in every move. Toni is the Family Services Director. Her responsibilities are vast. She was the initiator of a program that provides free food for 150 people twice a month.

            If you look closely, there is a slight tightening in her eyes. She doesn’t complain, but she suffers. Unimpressed with her chronic pain, she continues to serve the oppressed and set the captives free. Her secret demon, multiple sclerosis, haunts her. You can see it in her eyes, a flash of pain, almost unnoticed to her listener. She is also a cancer survivor yet remains unflappable.