Adopted By Polly Gray

Chapter 14: The Letters

TW: Slight homophobic talk, mentions of suicide

Starlene wasn't believing what she was hearing. Polly wasn't her mother? This wasn't right. Polly would've told her if she wasn't, right? The more she sat with her thoughts racing through her head the more the little things she questioned added up. Why Polly didn't have pictures of her while she was pregnant with Starlene or right after she was born. Why Ada would make comments about how the of Romani magic was drawn to the family when referring to Starlene rather than being within the family. It all made sense now, Johnny was right. Polly Gray was not her mother, but the question now was who is her mother and how did she end up with Polly?

"Little Miss? Phil touched her shoulder carefully.

"Huh?" Starlene had once again got found herself getting pulled from her mind.

"We're here. Jones and Franny are waiting inside to meet you." He smiled.

"What about my things?"

"Already got them taken care of!" Johnny had her belongings in his arms.

Starlene nodded and as she went to rub the tiredness from her eyes she felt something wet on her face. It was at that moment she realized that at some point she had been crying over the news. She quickly got herself together before sliding over the seat and exiting the vehicle.

"Where's Scott? Starlene asked as she stretches after her feet hit the ground.

"The old man already is making himself comfortable inside. Franny made a feast to welcome you home. So, Scott naturally has already taken it upon himself to start the celebrations." Johnny laughed.

"Franny made dinner, well don't mind if I do!" Phil took the last few things out of the car and hurried inside.

Starlene went to walk inside but found herself stuck in her spot.

"Well, you coming?" Johnny turned around when he realized he didn't hear any footsteps behind him.

"What you said, it's really true, isn't it?" Starlene sighed.

Johnny felt bad for the young girl. Her whole life was thrown upside down within a few hours and it only was going to continue to get thrown around.

"Yeah, it is. I'm sorry I had to be the one to tell you." 

"It's okay. In a way I'm glad I didn't hear it from Jones first. Him and I don't get along all too well." She let out an awkward laugh.

"Well, Franny has him on a tight rope now. He won't hurt you ever again and if he does, well, Franny will have it taken care of." Johnny readjusted his grip on Starlene's things.

"So, is Franny my- "She went to say mother, but she couldn't. It felt wrong to call any other woman that wasn't Polly her mum. Polly is her mum, or at least was her mum for her whole life.

Johnny shook his head, "No, Franny's not your biological mother. I don't know who is, but I know for certain it's not Franny."

"Now come on, the foods either going to get cold or eaten up by Scott and Phil if we don't head inside." Johnny tried to lighten the mood before heading off to the house.

Starlene took a moment to look at what would be her new home. It was a big house, practically a mansion. Something she would fantasize rich people to live in. It was light brown brick with a slightly darker brown roof from what she could tell in the dark. The windows had white panes and the front door was also white. They were a few balconies she suspected were connected to bedrooms. It definitely wasn't like her mum's house. This was grand, almost regal. How could a cop afford a place like this? She thought to herself. After taking it all in she finally mustered up the courage to go inside.