Valentina

Death In The Family

Upon returning home from my grocery shopping, I was taken aback to see the local police department stationed in my family's living room. Their presence and hushed conversations instantly raised my concern. As I nervously and confusedly set the groceries on the counter, I cautiously approached them.

"Um, can I help you guys or something?" I asked, hoping to shed some light on their unexpected presence in my house.

One of the deputies, whose name tag read William, looked at me intently and asked, "Are you Valentina Rose Baxter?" I was a little shocked by the question but managed to answer, "Yeah, I am. Why?"

Without uttering a word, the female police officer gestured for me to take a seat on the couch. Her gentle touch on my hand guided me to the chair beside her. Before continuing, she handed me a small box and said, "Before I say anything else, I want to give you something. Your mom wanted me to give this to you."

Opening the package, my perplexity deepened as I discovered my mother's wedding and engagement rings inside. "Why are you handing me my mom's wedding and engagement ring?" I asked, my voice trembling with uncertainty.

As the officer broke the heartbreaking news, her expression grew even darker. She sought support from her colleagues, her eyes glancing at them for encouragement before she continued, "Unfortunately, your mother, Hollie Nicole Minchey, your stepdad, Jonathan Paul Minchey, and your baby brother, Colton James Minchey, were involved in a car accident this afternoon."

"And your mom and stepdad didn't make it," she added, her words carrying a tremendous weight that overwhelmed me. The weight of grief and sorrow bore down on me, leaving me unable to control my sadness. I fought to control my emotions, to prevent myself from yelling, crying, or even lashing out at the officers or my surroundings. The devastation hit me hard—my mother, my idol, and my family had all passed away. In that moment, despair threatened to consume me entirely, and I even briefly considered taking my own life. But somehow, amidst the overwhelming pain, I managed to maintain some sort of composure.

"So, I guess Colton and I will be living with my dad now," I remarked, my voice full of disappointment and sadness.

William glanced at his fellow officer, then turned towards the front entrance. "About that, Hazel, come in," he called out. A young lady entered the room, holding a folder in her hands. "Greetings, Valentina," she said, taking a seat across from me. "My name is Hazel, and I'm your social worker."

I couldn't help but inquire, "So, I take it that I will now be living with my dad, Michael, my stepmother, my stepsister, and my half-brother?"

Hazel's gentle voice responded, "Actually, you won't be living with your dad because he isn't your biological father. He is not related to you in any way." I sat there, dumbfounded, struggling to understand the seriousness of what she was saying.

You actually will be living full-time with my brothers who—"

"Pardon me, did you just say brothers?" I interjected, my mind desperately trying to process this new and unexpected information. "I don't have any other siblings, besides my step sister and half brother, Colton."

Elizabeth cast a pitying glance my way. "I apologize, sweetheart, but you do have another family in New York. Eros Bonamici, your eldest brother, is the legal guardian of both you and your brother," she kindly informed me.

I was so overcome with emotion that I collapsed back into the couch, my thoughts spinning in a whirlwind of confusion and pain. I instinctively slipped my mother's rings onto my finger, finding solace in their familiar presence. The silence in the room was broken by Hazel. "Your trip to New York will be leaving in an hour. Once you've packed your belongings, a car will arrive to take you and your brother," she informed me kindly, emphasizing the next steps in this unexpected journey.