HE IS
by Karla Lorraine Booker
When I was 12, I had a crush on my brother’s best friend, Kent Smith. He was really cute and that made me blush; but what I remember most was how safe he made me feel… how tender and careful he was with me. How I could tell he was looking out for my well-being whenever he was in my presence. There is no way Kent could have known how much his kindness meant to little Karla, especially as a girl who had already endured so much, including sexual abuse. Fast forward 38 years to 2013 when, through the wonder that is Facebook, I saw his name on my sorority sister’s page. My heart went pitterpat and I smiled effortlessly. I immediately
26