The bad and the broken

Chapter 11

*Justin's POV*

Mommy? I was completely and utterly shocked. There was no way the woman on this stage could be my mother. Not with the way she carried herself, the way she spoke. She looked clean and sophisticated, and I could tell she didn't get that dress from Walmart. Pattie Mallete. My mother. I began to shiver, and the chills just woudn't go away. I felt tears rushing down my cheeks. My hands were shaking violently, and I could feel my heart throbbing in my chest. I was having a panic attack.

Someone took my had gently. I knew it was probably Drea, but I didn't have the strength to check. I kept my eyes glued to the stage, where my mother was still talking, even after the doors closed behind me. Drea had taken me into the foyer, and was helping me sit down on a sofa.

"Justin," she said, calmly, "did you bring your inhaler, sweetie? You're hyperventilating."

I nodded weakly, fiddling in my pants pocket. It was much harder to maneuver when my hands were still shaking. Drea took my hand away from my pocket and retrieved the inhaler herself. She helped me get my dose. I closed my eyes and tried to calm down. I could hear a patter of applause from inside. Drea Still held my shaking hands in her own. She stroked my fingers lightly. Inside, I wanted to scream at her. I wanted to pull my hands away, and go find somewhere to get high. She was tracing my tattoos now. I wanted desperately to escape the anger I felt ,but I simply didn't have the strength.

Just as I was starting to feel better, a side door I hadn't noticed before opened. my mother came out, clutching a cell phone and a water bottle. she was starting to dial a number when she looked over and noticed us. She did a double take. I prayed that she wouldn't come over. But Jesus was never quite on my side, and she ran towards us.

"Justin? Gosh it really is you! I haven't seen you since you were little! I just knew you'd get adopted right away. Is this you're foster sister?" Pattie smiled down at me with so much bubbliness I felt sick.

How dare she? My mother gave me away when I was nine years old. She seemed perfectly fine with that. I could feel the panic rolling off me, fury replacing it. My first instinct was to get physical, but I knew it wasn't worth it. It was obvious she had been doing better, and she hadn't even bothered to contact me before now. I decided the best way to handle this was to not speak at all.

After a few moments Drea spoke up. "No Ms. Mallete, I'm not his sister. I'm his... friend. Justin hasn't been adopted, and he's been in more than a few different homes. Which, if I may point out, wouldn't have happened if he'd just stayed with you."

My mothe's smile began to fade. "Excuse me but you may not point that out. You don't have any idea what my situation was. I had all the reason in the world to make the choice I did, and even if I didn't, it isn't you're business. So I'm going to have a nice conversation with my son, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't interrupt."

"Pattie," I interjected, "don't talk to her that way. She's been there for me ore than you have, and I've known her for three days! I thought it would be okay if you met her, since you seem better, but you're still a selfish piece of trash. Now, I'm taking my girlfriend outside, and we are leaving. Don't contact me. I don't want to see your miserable face for at least a few years." And with that, I stood and dragged Drea to the doors.

*Andrea's POV*

Girlfriend? He really just called me his girlfriend. What does this mean? He couldn't have forgiven me that easily. Justin pulled me over to a bench and practically pushed me so I was sitting on it. I felt like i was in elementary school again, getting in trouble. He dialed a number, probably a cab, and then