Why do I feel this way?

Chapter 112: Few and Far Between

A few months had passed. School had started for Ciara and Jamie. Vivian asked for the two to be in the same classroom and considering the circumstances the administrators allowed it. Zuri had moved up to the pre-school room and they both were thriving. The hard nights were few and far between. Their visitation routine had been effective for the girls.

Today was another visitation with Camille and the girls were super excited. Throughout the busy week, there weren't many opportunities for Ciara and Zuri to call their mom. And, when they were asked by Siobhan or Vivian they declined. The girls had been doing that more and more lately, but Viv and Bon never asked questions— just followed their lead.

Siobhan collected Jamie and Ciara from school as Vivian collected Zuri from the Knight Nursery and headed to the same park they had been meeting Camille once a week for months. All the siblings were there waiting, but this time was different than the others. Camille had been late a couple times, but only by a few minutes. This time the foster parents watched as each child took their turn glancing towards the park entrance checking for their mom's car to enter. It never did.

The caseworker mumbled under her breath, "I was afraid of this..." It caught the foster parents off guard because this seemed unusual to all of them. Vivian questioned, "What do you mean? She's never missed a visit..." Laurel looked up and made sure the kids weren't anywhere near them. "She didn't pass her latest drug test. It's possible that she is using today and just didn't show. I hate to immediately assume that, but this was a major hurdle last time. It's why it took her a year and a half to get them back."

All the adults hung their heads slightly and sighed with the same sentiment— hoping that wasn't the case. Each family called for the kids to start loading up to leave. The siblings said bye to each other, their presence a little heavier. It was silent as everyone returned to their cars. Disappointment was clearly displayed on each of the kids' faces. None of them cried, it was just quiet.

When the Serpent- Clark's arrived home, they had made a plan to watch a movie together after dinner. Siobhan started cooking as Vivian played with the kids. Zuri was more clingy than usual, sitting in Vivian's lap, wrapping her arms around her neck, laying her cheek against her shoulder.

While they ate, Jamie and Ciara were talking about school. "I feel sorry for Mrs. Stevens. Did you see what happened when she asked Kyle for the scissors?" Jamie nodded, "Yeah, he almost stabbed her in the wrist! Did you see the red mark it made?" Siobhan interjected, "He what?!" Ciara looked at her, "Our classmate got mad at the teacher for asking for the scissors he was playing with in class. He tried to stab her, but she pulled back. The scissors scraped her wrist."

Vivian and Siobhan caught each other's eyes as they widened. "Is your teacher okay?" Jamie spoke up, "Yeah. She's used to it." Ciara whispered, "Some of the kids are really good, but some are just mean. Mrs. Stevens is a nice teacher. I don't know why they act like that." Siobhan placed her fork down, "Viv, maybe we should put a gift together for her? Some treats to help her through the week?" The brunette chuckled, "We should. Kids are brutal these days."

As they continued eating, the two told more stories and also shared things they had learned in class. Zuri climbed into Siobhan's lap as she ate her meal. The younger girl expressed her jealousy about not being at big school with them. "It's not fair that I can't go to big school! When do I get to go, momma?" Siobhan kissed the top of her head, "Soon enough, sweetie."

It was finally movie time and Ciara sat next to Siobhan on the couch. "Can I lay on you, Bonnie?" The blonde smiled down at her, wrapping her arm over her shoulder, "Absolutely, sweet girl." Zuri cuddled up to Ciara and Jamie curled up with Vivian as they watched the movie.

Later as the two women were putting the girls to bed, Ciara whispered, "why didn't she come today? Did she forget about us?" Vivian's heart felt like it stopped beating for a moment. "No, honey. I don't know why she didn't come, but she loves you two so much. She could never forget about you..." Vivian hugged Ciara as Siobhan hugged Zuri. The younger girl mumbled into Siobhan's chest, "I'm sad..." Ciara wrapped her arms around Vivian, peaking over her shoulder, "Me too, Zuri." Time seemed to stop in that moment as the girls quietly processed what they felt.