Fostered

Chapter Four

The police officer driving the car pays no attention to my episode in the backseat. I slam my hands against the steel mesh that separates us. He continues driving and I just become increasingly hysterical. I tangle my fingers through my hair and bring my knees to my chest, coughing and sobbing uncontrollably. I can't stop seeing the image of Ethan's body in my head. I slam the heel of my palm against my temple in an effort to rid myself of the memory.

I am unsuccessful, of course. But I'm willing to try anything to make it go away. I start coughing harder and wipe at the snot that drips from my nose. I've never cried so hard. I lie down on my side and get in the fetal position. I cry and cry until the car comes to a stop. The back door opens and I instantly jump from my position, I fling myself out the door and attempt to take off running. But the police officer throws his arms around me and picks me up like a toddler. My body goes limp and pathetic as I bury my face in his collarbone and cry harder than before. He holds me close and closes the door of the car. He begins walking to the station and he strokes my hair gently.

My breath is extremely uneven and awkward. Eventually, I run out of tears and I just begin sniffling. We reach the station and the police officer takes me into the back waiting area that is surrounded by desks and other officers. He sets me down on an ugly light green couch with wooden arm rests. A nice female officer brings me a blanket and wraps me up, asking me if I need anything to eat or drink.

I just stare at the floor and shiver in fear. I try to keep my eyes open, but they begin feeling heavier and heavier. I'm just about to fall asleep when I hear a loud crash and someone yelling.

"Dammit, Evan!" I hear Henry's voice boom downstairs.

My eyelids open and I roll over sluggishly. I hear more commotion downstairs and I decide to investigate. I get out of bed and begin ambling to the stairs. I make my way to the first floor and round the corner to see Evan laughing nervously while Steven eats a bowl of cereal with an annoyed expression. Henry is on the floor, picking up shards of a broken jar of mayonnaise.

Calla appears behind me and gives me a bit of a scare. She runs a hand through her messy hair and snickers.

"Another broken jar, Evan?" She teases.

"Like you haven't made a mess before." He says defensively, pulling a breakfast burrito out of the microwave with a second to spare.

"Not as many as you." Calla smirks and then walks to the window, "It's nice outside. We should go swimming."

"You guys should swim! I wish I could, but I'm leaving for work in a few hours. Big surgery today. And don't forget your mom is going to Buffalo tonight to visit Lori." Henry reminds his kids.

"Oh, thank god. I was scared you were going to say Lori was visiting." Steven exhales loudly.

"Not after last time," Evan laughs.

Henry resists laughing and tosses the broken glass into the trashcan. He checks for any glass that he missed and then goes upstairs to get ready for work. I pour myself a bowl of Rice Krispies after Calla shows me where everything is in the kitchen. I eat breakfast with Steven, Evan, and Calla. For once, Evan doesn't bother me about Ethan. Instead, we discuss plans for the day and what we'll do for dinner since we'll be home alone.

After breakfast, we end up going to the Boulevard Mall and spending the day there. Before we left Henry gave me two hundred dollars to get what I wanted and I nearly pissed my pants. Calla told me to ignore it and just buy some stuff I would like. I hesitate, but when we show up at the mall, I feel the impulse to buy some new things. Evan and Steven branch off and do their own thing, leaving Calla and I in each other's company. We walk around the mall and occasionally examine a store.