Amber

Chapter 7: Bad News

Amber and her sisters loved living with the Deras. Four days after moving inwith them, Mrs. Dera bought Amber her very own bed and she had gottenthe twins a bunk bed. They still had to share a room, but it was better thanliving on the couch and Amber loved it. The sisters had fun and playedtogether all day until they had to go to bed. To them, it was the best homeever, they didn't want anything to change.

Almost nine months had passed and Amber and her sisters were loving lifemore than ever. The twins had turned four and they all celebrated. Amberhad been put in school and didn't ask about her parents much anymore,which calmed Mrs. Dera, at least know she doesn't have to know the truthabout her parents.When Mr. Dera became ill, Mrs. Dera spoke to the police and told them her and her husband were getting to old and weak to raise three little girls. Thepolice agreed with them and told Amber and her sisters that they would haveto go live with their aunt Sophie. They really didn't want to because theyloved the Deras, but, after Mrs. Dera explained it to Amber, she finallyagreed.Five weeks later, they went to live with their Aunt Sophie in Bainville,45 minutes away. Sophie was 25. She was a very nice lady who worked atthe hospital almost all day, but still had time to keep up her house and have adescent social life. She wasn't married, but she didn't care, she loved her life,and everything about it. She lived in a big and pretty house. Actually, itwasn't that big, but to Amber it was, and she got her own room aside thetwins, she wasn't used to that. When their aunt went to work, they stayedwith Mandy, Sophie's best friend. Mandy was like a best friend that the girlsnever had. She was 24, always hyper, very skinny, pretty, made friends witheverybody, and had a really nice personality. Amber and her sisters weregoing to love life at their aunts.One night, when their aunt was home, they were all gathered in theliving room, their aunt watching her favorite show "Wheel of Fortune" andAmber and her sisters playing with their toys, when they got a call. It wasOfficer G! Amber couldn't believe it. It had been almost five months sinceshe heard from him.

"Yes, yes I understand. Thank you so much for thecall," aunt Sophie said, then she hung up.

"Amber, sweetie, come here."Amber then got up and went into her aunts arms. "I hate to tell you this, butsweet Mr. Dera died. He had a heart attack. He was such a great person."

"No, no he didn't aunt Soph, he's at home, with Mrs. Dera." Amber smiled,but she could see that her aunt was serious and her smile went away. By thistime, they both had tears they were trying to hold back.

"Amber, I'm sorry.He died and Mrs. Dera is in the hospital." When Amber heard that, shestormed out of the living room and went straight to her room, and startedcrying into her pillow.

"Girls, it's bed time. Go brush your teeth and go tobed," their aunt said. The girls got up and did as they were told. Sophie wentto Amber's room to see if she was ok.When she reached Ambers room, the door was locked. "Amber, I'm so sorrythis happened but if it makes you feel any better, they were my friends tooand I love and miss them as much as you do. Please open your door."Amber barely opened her door to a crack.

"Really? You love and miss themtoo?"

"Of course I do. They babysat me when i was little." her aunt smiled whenshe said that."Really?"

"Yep. In fact, I was your age when my dad died. I remember it was thehardest time ever. But Amber, do you know what happened?" Amber leanedinto her. "It hurt at first, but eventually, I felt better and you will too. I knowyou will. You're so very strong and brave. Don't worry, ok? Go to bed fortonight, we'll talk more about this tomorrow. I have to go check on yoursisters. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Aunt Sophie," Amber said as she stopped crying and gave heraunt a little kiss.

The next morning, when everybody woke up, they went to visit Mrs.Dera in the hospital. When they got there, Mrs. Dera was awake and eatingher dinner. Mrs. Dera was so excited to see them."Hi, Mrs. Dera!" Amber and her sisters said as they went to give her a hug.