Crossroads - Juan Roberts

Allison lives off of LaBrea, just North of the 110 in a 900 square foot kitchenette. A single mother of two, with 3 years of college, she struggles through her last year on $23,000 annually. More times than not lately, she finds herself having to explain to her kids that there is nothing to eat, because the WIC rations are gone. The rent is 2 months past due and the next notice will be to leave (to put it nicely). Her pride will not let her ask for another dime from anyone -- not even momma.

She struggles hard to find a solution, but most times she chooses the wrong thing - drinking, dating the occasional guy, scheming debtors, shoplifting (but she almost got caught once and it scared her into premature graying) and possibly suicide. Serving as a Christian Education Leader in her church allows her to relieve the pressure a couple times a week, but even that is getting reeeeaaal thiiiiiiin. She listens intently to every word coming forth, but her faith is a mist in her life right now. She asks her Pastor about some leads on jobs or even if she could work around the church, but she gets the non-revenue generating response, "I'll pray for you."

Her baby girl, Jovan, was just diagnosed with a disease that is promising to require extensive medical treatments for years. Allison is beyond desperate -- preacher says pray, streets say steal, devil says self-kill. While talking to one of her remaining friends, a brand new suggestion reveals itself. The friend says that the idea could provide her the money she needs to relieve the pressure that is drowning her noble fortitude out. Hmmmmm.

Fast forward 6 months to the Starlight Motel, Las Vegas, NV. Allison is now Copper, a private dancer that visits Vegas two weekends a month and makes enough to support her and her family for 3 months. She is disgusted with the people (both men and women hire her), the work, the opinion she is getting of herself and the lie she is living before God.

Life is better though -- no more late payments on anything, kids fed and clothed decently, new whip, fresh apartment, money saved (even invested) and she is able to pay tithes and give offering weekly.

We see her moments before opening the bathroom door to another night of pleasuring others and degrading herself. She stares in the mirror contemplating if she should rescind her current life for the former image of overwhelming despair. The music is playing, the couple is waiting, Absolut® has her smoothed out, the next few moments of her life could dictate her destiny. She feels at the crossroads of manging it all. She calls her Pastor and he says that he has noticed that the Lord has made a way in her life and that he is pleased that his prayers are working for her ... and that he would see her Wednesday at Bible Class, since she is on the road.

She is weak in the knees as she stands, facing her own private reality, pleading with God to save her.

What does she do?