Page 175 - From the Outhouse 4 -21

175 | P A T R I C I A R A E M E R R I T T W H A T L E Y

Every day, when I came home from work, I found a box of hot food for our dinner on the table and an ice chest. This continued until
I was able to get a refrigerator and stove. There would also be an empty box for our dirty clothes. Ms. Josie would collect the box the

next day and return the box the following day with clean, folded clothes.

Now, how are these actions for demonstrating tough love?

The method that she used strengthened me and motivated me to get myself together. I realized that besides God being first, I was the
only one to depend on. I could not depend on others to care for me, especially my father and stepmother. So, I settled gradually into

the shotgun house and made Sanford my permanent home.

“BUT GOD”

One Saturday, I decided to go to the credit union to withdraw some money. I took my son with me. I was scantily dressed in a black

A-line skirt that was pulled up over my bust to appear as a strapless halter dress. I took all back streets to drive to the credit union

because my car was not ready for inspection (a procedure required by most states at the time). An invalid license plate was on my car,
and I didn’t have a valid driver’s license either. (I admit it, I have always lived on the edge).

Well, before I could get to the credit union, I was stopped by the police because I was speeding through a residential neighborhood.

Since I couldn’t provide the officer with a valid driver’s license, he put me in handcuffs and assisted me into the police car. The officer

transported Kamili to my friend’s home for a birthday party (I was going to the credit union to withdraw money for gas and a birthday
gift). I was so embarrassed about this incident.