Confessions of a Bunny

~**Ruby**~

This teacher was boring me to death with his lecture on how molecules are formed. Everyone in here should know how molecules are formed, its honors Chemistry class, but of course someone had to ask a more in-depth question now we have to hear about it for the next 15 minutes. I was just about to nod off when the door opened, and an office aid walked in to deliver a message to the teacher. Cierra! Huh I said caught off guard by the teacher calling my name. You're being called to the office. The office, why? Don't know someone is here for you he said extending the note towards me. I gathered my stuff and proceeded to the office. In the last 4 years I'd never been called to the office for anything. As I walked to the office all I could think was please don't let it be something to do with my grandmother. I know she'd been going through it lately, but she was slowly getting better. When I turned the corner, I saw a face I hadn't seen in what seemed like years.

Jessie! Cierra, she said smiling at me as we hugged. What are you doing here? I can't come see an old friend. I haven't seen you in like 4 years. I know and I am sorry about that, I got busy with work and something else she said showing me her left hand. You got married? Engaged, we're getting married in a few months. Congratulations! Thanks, you're probably wondering why I am here. Kind of. Let's go have some lunch. You signed me out. Perk of being your social worker she said smirking as we walked out the school. We went a few blocks away to a little pizza spot. So how is New York life treating you? It's different than Oklahoma, but it's nice and everything is so close. A few months ago, me and my grandmother went to Philadelphia. Really that must have been exciting. It was I'd never ridden a train before. You know what I don't think I've ever ridden a train either now that I think about it, she said laughing a little bit. We made more small talk before she finally got to the point of her visit. I am really happy to hear that you're doing well Cierra. It took a little adjustment, but I am good now, looking forward to finishing out my junior and senior year and then off to college. That's right she said looking off a little bit. What is it Jessie, you're making me nervous? I have some news for you. Ok I said bracing myself. I think we've found your mother's parents. Excuse me! She slid over the picture of them. Meet Elijah and Helen, your grandparents. Where...I didn't give up looking for them and possibly other family members. I went back through everything we had and finally found a cousin and she gave me these pictures. She looks like my mother I said looking at the woman. That's your grandmother. Are they still alive? Sadly, no they died about 10 years after your mother was born. Together I said running my hand along the picture. A tornado came through the town they were living in, and they were part of the casualties. They have any other children. Yes, they did, your mother had a sister and two brothers. However, since the parents both died, they went into foster care and were eventually adopted. Those records are sealed, and I wouldn't even know the first place to start that search. I understand looking at the picture. The cousin was able to send me a few pictures of them and at least give you a little closure on that. Thank you, I said smiling a little bit.

There is something else as well she said looking down before looking at me. Your brother. My brother, I said perking up at the sound of that, I wondered about him every day since I left Oklahoma. What's the matter with my brother? Your stepfather and his girlfriend were arrested for running drugs out of the beauty salon, your brother is in foster care and a family wants to adopt him. Yeah, right Emmanuel would never let that happen he has too much family for that. Quite the contrary I am not sure who those people were he was passing off as family, but they weren't. How do you know all of this? I am a social worker and when his name came up on my case docket here recently, I knew it was him. You've been watching out for him. I have, I made you that promise that I would look out for him. Who were those people that he was passing off as family then? Associates and friends, I guess, when we reached out to them to take your brother none of them would respond and the person, we assumed to be his sister, said she was in no relation to him, and she didn't want the baby. You have any pictures of him? I do she said giving me the 3 pictures of him. He was so cute. What I am doing is highly unorthodox and I could probably lose my job for it, but you are his family his only known family and...You want me to take him? No of course not you're not old enough to do so. What I wanted to do is ask you for your consent to let the family adopt him. He's been with them for the last year and is settled into a routine and family. Are they black? They are she said nodding. What religion are they? Christian, I believe. And if they adopt him, will they change his name again. The last name yes, the first name possibly but most don't. I thought for a minute, before speaking again I am fine with them adopting him, and if they do change his name If they could change it to either Elijah or Benjamin, I think my mother would like that. I think she would too, she said smiling. One day I want to be able to find him and tell him how much his mother loved him and wanted him. I know which is why I wanted to get your permission to share your name and information with them. The adoption would be open but only for communication between you and the family. Your stepfathers' rights are being terminated and given that you are the only other blood relative you'd be the only one that could request information or ask to see him. I am ok with that; I won't bother him until he's of age to want to know me. I don't want to confuse him. He's lucky to have a sister like you. I wish my mom could be here to see him and us. I believe she's watching over you two from heaven.