PULSE [H.S]

094

"Foster care is a system where kids go to be rescued, but they often end up stuck in." — Mary-Frances O'Connor

The house looks the same as I remember it.

It's a nice blue house that has a maroon trim around it. I always liked the color combination. It made the house unique. It definitely stands out from all of the other boring-looking houses in the neighborhood. I can even see the octagon shaped window of the room I stayed in.

I glance at Harry as he parks in front of the house. I say to him, "You don't have to come in if you don't want to."

"I want to," he says, even though his face is full of worry. They haven't seen Harry in so long, they might not even recognize him at this point.

The three of us walk up to the house, and I knock on the door. Nerves hit me suddenly, the weight of what we are about to ask of them dawning on me. This is a long shot.

Mary opens the door, and I smile when I see her graying hair and welcoming presence. Her jaw drops when she sees me, and she's completely overcome with shock. The shock quickly turns into excitement as she smiles and pulls me into a tight hug.

She says, "Oh, my sweet Kizalyn, it's been so long."

"Hi Mary," I say, smiling. "It's great to see you."

In that moment, I am reverted back to my sixteen-year-old self. I am a heartbroken child who just found my mother dead and was consequently separated from my sister. I am a girl who found warmth in the embrace of someone who showed me love and kindness from the moment I met her. I'm someone who didn't know how desperately she needed a hug.

As we are still embracing, Marry yells back into the house, "George! Kizalyn is here!"

When Mary lets me go, her eyes fall down on Jackson, who is peeking around my body to see her. Her eyebrows furrow. She looks back up at me and says, "It hasn't been that long, has it?"

"No," I laugh. "This is Jackson. We were hoping to talk to you if you have time."

Mary nods, ushering us into her home without any hesitation. Jackson steps inside, taking his shoes off before fully entering the house. I watch as Mary looks behind us, seeing Harry.

Harry's head is hung low, and he looks so much younger right now than he is. He looks young, nervous, and scared. He hasn't seen Mary in a really long time, and they didn't part on the best of terms.

Mary presses her hand to her heart as she says, "Harry?"

Harry looks up at her, his eyes full of emotion. My heart swells as Mary remembers him. I could cry as Mary gasps and pulls Harry into a big hug. 

Harry says, "Hello."

"I must be dreaming," Mary says as she takes in Harry's appearance. She says, "I never thought I would see you again. Look how big you are! And you still have those wonderful emerald eyes."

Harry smiles softly, and Mary ushers us all inside again. She shows Jackson some toys in the living room, and he takes interest in one of the books she has. Harry and I follow Mary into the kitchen.

She glances at us and then says, "This feels like a conversation that requires tea."

She puts a tea kettle on for us as George enters the kitchen. He says, "There's my girl," as he pulls me in for a short hug.

When his eyes meet Harry's, his eyes widen, and he takes a step back. He says, "You look like just as much trouble as you were when you were half your size."