* February 23, 2016 *
Sally, our new foster care guardian, was a lot nicer than the last one.
She took Serena and I to the mall-and even gave us a little money-to shop for Maya's birthday present. We decided to get her a couple of girly coloring books, a new set of color pencils, a small sketchbook, and a step-by-step drawing book for kids. Then we were picked up and taken to a grocery store so we could buy the ingredients to make her a birthday cake.
But when we got back to Sally's house we received the greatest news of all-there was a family who was interested in adopting us. Now all we had to do was set up a few visits so that we can meet and get to know each other a little more. So I took the liberty of asking Penelope to invite them to Maya's birthday party.
Hopefully this surprise would turn out to be a good one too.
Now I was busy wrapping Maya's presents while she was downstairs working on her home school packet with Sally. Serena laughs as she finishes Maya's personal birthday card.
"She's only going to be six and she's a way better artist than I am." She shows me the sorry stick figure drawing of Maya making me laugh for the first time in a long while.
"She really is, but that's okay. You have other artistic talents that neither of us have."
"Oh really and that is?"
"Are you crazy? You're totally great with hair and makeup. You should think of a career in cosmetology," I suggest. I finish wrapping the last bundle of presents for Maya and neatly tuck it underneath Serena's bed.
"Yeah right. Just because I know how to straighten my hair and do a few fancy braids doesn't mean I should be some kind of stylist." She narrows her eyes at me and I throw my hands up in surrender.
"I can tell it's something you like to do. I'm just saying that you could totally make a career out of it."
"Okay and what about you? Are you going to pursue a career in music?"
I scoff and shake my head quickly. "No way. That's not even practical."
"But you have talent!" If by talent she was referring to my screechy barely listenable singing ,then she was seriously out of her mind.
"Let it go Serena. It's not happening. I don't even like to sing anymore and I don't know how to play any type of instrument. There's no career in music for me."
"Music is a huge industry. You could be whatever you want: a lawyer, a music producer, a talent scout, the freaking CEO of a major music label. You name it, and I bet you can do it."
"That's really nice of you to say, but I seriously don't see myself doing anything like that. " Because it all requires me to go to college and that's probably not happening...
"Well none of that matters because you're going to sing tomorrow. Maya wants you to sing the "funky" Happy Birthday song."
By funky happy birthday song, she of course meant the Stevie Wonder version of Happy Birthday.
"Aww Maya..." I whine. It's been so long since I sang anything and she wanted me to do an all-out solo for her tomorrow, but I didn't want to let her down. I mean it's the least I could do considering what she's been through these past few days.
"Yup." Serena smirks triumphantly as she finishes the long inverted fishtail braid that went down the middle of her head.
***
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Something Unexpected
Teen FictionAlana Mitchell came to accept that her life was destined to be a hard and miserable one. In her mind it was only fair. After all, it was her fault her dad was dead and her mother turned to drugs and alcohol. So she was determined to protect her litt...
