Abandon Me

October 11: Learn about my foster sibling's pasts✅

For our punishment, Josie and I had to clean the cars. David was back home for a while, so he got a good laugh out of our situation. He claimed it would be a fun bonding experience, which doesn't seem possible considering it was a punishment.

Although, it did give me a good opportunity to ask Josie about her, Jay, and Izzy's past. I was genuinely curious how they ended up with Tori, and if they had to go through anything rough like I did. It wasn't something I could casually bring up though, so I'd have to be more up front than I was hoping for.

"I'll wash and dry, you rinse," she ordered when we got outside.

I was confused as to why she wanted me to barely do any of it, especially since Josie didn't believe she deserved the punishment. "You realize that's most of the work, right?"

She groaned and replied, "I know, but I'd feel like a horrible person if I made you do it with your banged up knees. Did you really just trip?"

I didn't think anyone noticed that my knees were still hurting because I tried to avoid walking. "Yeah, I did."

"Liar," she replied without hesitation.

I couldn't argue because she was right. "Just wash the cars already if you're willing to on your own. I'll sit and watch, I guess."

She sighed and got a bucket with soap and water, then began cleaning Jay's car first. "Are you really going to just sit there? You can go inside until I need you."

I wanted to go inside because the sun was right in my eyes, but I figured now was a good time to ask about everyone's past. "I have to to ask you something."

"What?"

"If it's not too difficult to answer, can you tell me how all of you got into the foster care system? What happened to you guys?" I was so blunt, but there was no other way to ask that question.

She shielded her eyes from the sun so she could give me a confused face. "Why do you want to know that?"

I shrugged and answered, "I'm curious. Don't you want to know more about me too?"

I thought she was going to ignore me because she continued to clean. But after a minute, she bargained a deal. "Tell me how you hurt your knees and I'll share one of my sibling's stories."

I couldn't help being annoyed with her offer, but I would probably do the same thing. "Fine. Izzy escaped from school, and I saved her from being hit by a car. I basically had to dive on the cement so we could avoid the car in time."

She rolled her eyes so hard I thought they would pop out. "You're such a liar. There are so many flaws to that story." 

"It's true!" I pleaded. "Ask her yourself. I even know that she ran away because she was chasing a cricket named Ray. The school didn't call because those stupid recess monitors didn't notice she was gone."

"Bullshit," Josie said, although she sounded unsure. "It's usually easy to see when you're lying though, and it doesn't seem like you are."

"It's easy?"

She looked guilty as she contemplated if my story was false. "Well, I mean it's easy to tell when you're genuine. Anyway, did you really save my sister's life?"

I started blushing like a mad woman. "It's no big deal, just keep cleaning."

For once, she didn't stare at me with hatred. "Jay's mom died of cancer a year after he was born, and his dad left way before that. His grandpa took care of him until he was seven years old, but he died of cancer too."

"That's horrible." I didn't know what else to say. I knew asking these questions would lead to a depressing and awkward answer, but at least my curiosity was being satisfied.