Jennifer Jareau's Daughter

Chapter 6

Jennifer's POV:

As we pull into the orphanage I watch as Max rushes out of the car and runs inside. I quickly try to follow her but before I can stop her from leaving my side she runs upstairs and slam the door. I am left alone with who I assume is the owner of the orphanage. I look around and realize just how bad this place actually is. Most of the food is severely out of date, there is dishes literally everywhere, the floors are caked with dirt and there's bugs crawling all over them, and this place has way more children then it's supposed too. How is this place still open? Why isn't it closed? This is the place Max has been living in and out of for years? I am interrupted by the noise of someone clearing out their throat. I look up and see the owner is starring at me waiting for me to speak.

"Hi I'm Jennifer Jareau and I'm Max's biological mom I was wondering if I could adopt her if that is at all possible?" I ask

"I'm Mrs Kane I should warn you about a few things with Max. Mrs Jareau, Max has depression, an eating disorder, and she's been abused by almost every home she was in. You need to be patient and gentle with her. I am just not sure if you are fully prepared or equipped to handle her." Mrs Kane explains making my heart drop into my stomach

"I understand she's been through more than any ten year old should go through. I reassure you I'm in this in the long run with her." I reply

"Okay well I see your mind is made up here these are the papers you need to sign." Mrs Kane says once she finds the papers in her office

"Of course thank you! I appreciate you giving me this chance and letting me take her home." I reply as I quickly signed them

"Let's go tell Max. God knows she's gonna be happy to leave. She's been trying to escape this place for years." Mrs Kane says as I follow her upstairs to Max's room

Once I open the door I couldn't believe what I was seeing. There on her bed was Max with her sleeve rolled up about to burn her arm. Once she notices us she quickly hides the lighter. I look and see Mrs Kane has already left. I rush to her bed side before she can roll down her sleeves I see all the new and old burn scars. So I was right the ledges Sarah and Miles talked her off of was like the ledge Roslyn couldn't be talked down from. I look down at Max and see no emotion behind her eyes. I pull her in a hug trying to stop the tears that threatens to pool out of my eyes. Max is tense at first but then slowly she hugs me back relaxing.

"It'll be okay Max we'll get through this. You'll be okay honey. Why don't we pack up your stuff and then head home." I say

"Okay." Max whispers as she quickly gets up packing the few items she has I make a mental note to take her shopping for more clothes

"Alright sweetheart let's go." I say sighing as we both head to the car Max saying nothing as we pull out of the driveway

When I look to the backseat I see Max with her headphones in and her eyes closed. Max is asleep from the emotional exhaustion of today. How could I not notice she self harms. She wears long sleeved shirts, she tugs at her sleeves when she is anxious, and she wears bracelets as extra protection from anyone seeing any scars. I should have never given her up. I should have kept her. I can't help but wonder what happened in the car ride that made her want to hurt herself. She was fine after we dropped her friends off. As I am filled with all these thoughts and emotions swirling around me that's when it hits me. Did she hear the call with Will? Does she know about Henry? I can't control the guilt that's burning in my chest. What have I done? I'm interrupted from my thoughts when I hear my phone ring. I stare at my phone confused I don't recognize the number. As I answer it I hear Miles on the other end of the phone. Why is Miles calling me? How did he get my number? I can't help but feel like this call isn't going to be good.