Empty

Florida and the Boys Across the Street

     "We're here" Mrs. Richard said in an excited tone of voice.
    
     I gave a half-hearted smile and grabbed my bag. Mrs. Richard came around and opened the door for me. That was a nice gesture, I thought. She then opened the trunk of her Honda Civic and and pulled out my luggage, handing it to me.
    
     "Thank you so much, Mrs. Richard- I mean Elizabeth," I said, blushing. She smiled, nodded her head, and closed the trunk and locked her car.
    
     "You can't even do one layup," Said an unknown voice.
    
     I looked around, and across the street were two boys, around my age playing basketball. My eyes widened. This was just great, I thought, just great.
    
     "You can come on in, Rory! No need to be afraid, we don't bite!" Mrs. Richard yelled from the door and chuckled at her overused pun.
    
     Apparently she had gotten the boy's attention, they both looked over at us. I blushed, and looked away, heading inside the large brick house with my luggage in hand.
    
     "I'm pretty sure that you're aware I have a daughter your age, correct?"
    
     "Yes ma'am, Lilly, right?"
    
     "That's right! She's just upstairs, if you'd like to go meet her. Actually I'll call her down-LILLY! COME DOWN AND MEET RORY!"
    
     A few minutes later, a tall girl appeared in the living room. Her golden blonde pulled into a side braid. She was very pretty and skinny. She looked at bit snobby, but I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, right?
    
     "Lilly, this is Rory. Rory, this is Lilly," Mrs. Richard said, and smiled.
    
     "Hey," Lilly carelessly said, rolling her eyes, ambling back up the stairs.
    
     "Don't worry about her, she's just really busy at the moment," Mrs. Richard said hopefully.
    
     "I nodded my head, "Do you mind showing me where my room is Mrs. Richard?"
    
     "Oh yes, of course! It's just right up the stairs! I'll take you!"
    
     She picked up one of my bags and started to head up the stairs. I picked up my other bag, and followed after her.
    
     "Thank you so much Elizabeth, for everything," I said honestly to her. Mrs. Richard nodded her head, "It's my pleasure."

     As we went up the stair I marveled at their family photos. They all looked so happy, even Mr. Richard, who I hadn't yet met. He was handsome and tall. He looked a bit rough, but it was covered up by the smile on his eyes. What a beautiful family, I thought. Blue eyes and blonde hair. I would never fit in with my dark hair and green eyes. But, I remembered what another foster parent had said to me, it's not about fitting it, it's about feeling comfortable.

     Elizabeth led me down a hall, "This is Lily's room, I'd suggest not going in there without knocking, she loves her privacy," she said while pointing to a door on the right. I nodded my head as she lead me further, showing me a bathroom and a few hall closets.
     "Ok, and here we are," Elizabeth said, opening a white door on the right.  My eyes widened as they met with baby blue walls covered with small zoo animals dancing about.
    
     "Oh I'm sorry about the walls, this used to be Lilly's room as a baby. We can paint over it, whatever color you'd like," she said and gave me a hope-filled smile. I nodded my head and thanked her again. She put my bag onto the small twin bed covered with only a few sheets and pillows and left the room to let me get settled. I sighed and sat down on the floor. Last home I thought, last family I had to fake happiness with. This was the end, until I was all on my own. I leaned against a nearby dresser and closed my eyes, enjoying the safety of silence.