Learning to Bow

Chapter 2: Wolves

No one disturbed me after I retreated into my room. That night I stared at a white ceiling with a familiar feeling of displacement. This was definitely not a dynamic I was used to. I'd never been with so many other foster kids.

When the sun started to rise, there was a small knock on my door. I pulled myself from the covers and slipped out of bed. Opening the door, I was met with the brunette.

"Jack." I said. His eyebrows were knitted together in conflict, as if he was having a headache.

"Would you like breakfast?" he asked. I turned and looked out the window near my bed. The sun was barely rising. It couldn't have been later than 7am.

"So early?" I asked, unsure. Maybe it was just him being creeptastic. He nodded.

"We're early risers. Some of us like to go for morning runs." He said. Morning runs. Right. I let out a sigh.

"Sure," I said. Lack of sleep usually translates to hunger. He flashed me a small smile before turning out of my room and down the stairs.

"Morning runs," I scoffed under my breath as I gathered a new set of crumpled clothes from my pile. As I was heading downstairs, I caught the scent of butter and something sweet. Turning down the winding stairs I found everyone sitting in the kitchen. The kitchen was fairly large, most of the cooking equipment on the east wall, a square shaped table top in the center with an attached sink, and another large round table which seated all the members of the family I'd met the night before. Jack was looking at me again, and Downing and Joseph were arguing over what looked to be a sprawled out map. Cassidy was making pancakes and shooting conspiring glances at Jack. She knew something. Willow, who was sitting at the table with Marilee, stood as I entered the kitchen.

"How did you sleep?" she asked cheerfully. I needed to remind myself how early in the day it was. This was quite unusual. She walked towards me to take my hand, but I pushed it away annoyed. She seemed shocked by my lack of deference, but undeterred she said, "You'll get used to it here, I promise!"

I said nothing and made my way to the table. I sat across from Mr.I'm-trying-to-see-into-your-soul and next to James. He had a book in one hand and a coffee mug in the other. He glanced up and smiled at me for a moment before returning his attention to the book in his hand. Microfinance was printed along the binding of the book.

"No, if we don't head south, they'll cut us off near Kettle River." Joseph said harshly just above a whisper. I frowned. Just then Cassidy appeared with a platter full of pancakes.

"Joseph, put the map away and get plates for everyone. Downing, forks," she said. Both boys stood and began gathering the requested items. 'Like dogs, they obey their master,' I thought sarcastically. James cleared his throat, as if he could hear my thoughts, and placed his book on the table.

"Let's have a nice breakfast, shall we?" He said. I wondered if that statement was directed at me, but he merely smiled at each of the faces sitting at the table. Once everyone was sitting and pancakes distributed, we again held hands forming a ring around the table. James spoke this time. "Lord, we thank you for this gathering and the meal we are about to prepare. Bless us in our time on this Earth and keep our relationships with those around us strong. In Jesus's name we pray, Amen." I rolled my eyes before they opened theirs.

"Amen."

I again sat at the table wondering how I landed in such a family. They seemed like they'd be difficult to break.

But they would. I would be leaving this house soon enough.

But first, I had to eat my pancakes.

After breakfast Cassidy asked to speak with me in private. I nodded and followed her down a corridor that led to an empty study room. She closed the door and turned to me.