Daja & Diamond

It began on a steamy summer afternoon well over twelve months ago. Late that morning, Daja shielded her eyes as she exited her office building into the bright sunshine. Out for a quick lunch break, she had about twenty minutes before her next meeting. That was just enough time to stand in line, grab a deli salad and drink, and begin eating while she hurried back to her office.

The summer heatwave wasn't much of a bother for Daja. The temperatures were not very different from what she'd experienced in childhood. She also felt the stress of a short walk in sweltering temperatures was nothing compared to the debilitating obstacles faced by a lot of people all too early in their lives. She had faced early obstacles and had embraced a road of endurance. At that very moment, she was an example of perseverance--she had to have the strength and drive for that afternoon's meetings, so she was walking over a steamy sidewalk to acquire the sustenance her body needed later that day. 

As she neared the deli door, Daja peered through the wide storefront windows to gauge the number of customers waiting to place orders. The size of the crowd would tell her how much time she'd have to enjoy her meal as she rushed back to the office. The sun's glare obscured her view of the interior of the little deli, but her effort to orient her eyes brought her vision to a young lady who, at that moment, approached Daja from behind. She saw the woman linger behind her for a few moments, and Daja slowed her momentum to allow the woman to catch up to her and speak.

"I watched you walk over here," the woman said. "You're pretty. Have you thought about modeling?"

Daja slowly turned to look directly at this stranger. She was a younger woman, but she spoke with confidence that could only come from experience. A certain weariness in her eyes muted the youth that should have been present in her face. She returned Daja's gaze but did not wait for an answer.

"Yeah, you look really pretty. Are you from here?"  The woman paused, a questioning look appearing on her face. "I have a connection for you," she continued. "It's an opportunity. I work for this local agency."

Daja watched the woman silently, noticing when the uneasiness began appearing in her eyes. Furtively, the woman looked from Daja's face to Daja's left down the sidewalk. She turned her head and looked quickly at the street over her shoulder. She then looked back to Daja and said, "You ok? You need some help? I know some people. Call this number." She pushed a piece of paper toward Daja.

Daja adopted a relaxed posture. She wanted to look casual to anyone who was watching them. But, with a very even tone, looking directly into the woman's eyes, Daja said, "Give me your card. I'm going to give you mine. I will help you when you are ready."

The woman's body pivoted slightly, barely turning away as if she would leave Daja. But a puzzled look came over her face. It only lasted a moment before the hardness returned. The woman said, "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm trying to help you. It's easy money."

"Look at me," Daja said. "I know what is happening. I used to be here. Where is he? Behind you? Down the street? In the car?"

Before the woman could turn to leave, Daja smiled. She wanted anyone watching to think this was a normal interaction between a regular office worker and a sidewalk solicitor. Daja quickly reached into her pocket and grabbed a card. With her other hand, she pushed her palm toward the woman, clearly indicating to any observer that Daja was rejecting the offer. She wanted it all to look normal.

"Give me your card," Daja said evenly. "Take this card. Don't ask what it's about. Don't even read it. Just keep it. Use it when you're ready. I will be there."

It happened in just about five seconds. Anger flashed briefly on the woman's face. Then, her expression went blank again. But, a small glimmer of understanding shone briefly in her eyes. It was so small--but Daja saw it. The woman dropped her eyes to look down at Daja's feet. She dropped her arms to her side. Then, with an irregular suddenness, the woman straightened her back and began to turn away from Daja.

Hurriedly, Daja reached out and took the paper in the woman's hand.  She stuffed her card in its place. The young woman balled up the card in her hand. She balled it up. But she did not toss it to the ground.

At that moment, another woman--one younger than Daja--pushed the deli door open, and said "Excuse me." The new woman smiled at them both, then began to move away from the deli to Daja's left. Simultaneously, the young woman who had stopped Daja pivoted away, hustling quickly after the new woman. She glared at Daja as she moved away from her. 

As she opened the door for herself and moved into the deli, Daja heard the young woman say, "You look pretty. You should think about modeling."

***

That was a year ago. This morning, Daja received the call. She tapped the screen on her phone and said calmly, "Hello. Daja here. How can I help you?"

"My name is Diamond. You said you'd help me."

Daja paused for a moment, searching her memory for that event. But the occasion didn't matter. The details weren't the point. The woman was the point. A woman named Diamond was now asking for help, and Daja received the call. 

"Where can we meet?" Daja asked. 

"You tell me. I just want to talk."  

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This fictitious story about the SRG Figurines is drawn from a true-life story that is well-known within the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force. For more information on the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, see www.mdhumantrafficking.org.