I take the last suitcase and put it in the truck. I thought that this area of the city would prove to be home for us for the rest of my teenage years but, oh no, mom had to get into trouble with the police even here. I had lived in this apartment building for a little over six months. I turned and gave the place one last look. In a couple of hours time, we would be in our new home. This time it was going to be in the country near a lake. I was ready for the large yard and the barn for me and my little sister, Ashley to have fun in when we can not be outside.
“Monster, time to wake up you sleepy-head!” I said as we pulled up in front of our new home. I had been here a few days earlier to place furniture but, this was the first time with Ashley.
“Bubba, it beautiful... it is all mine?” She asked staring in bewilderment.
“Yes... but, can you share it with me and mom?” I asked knowing that with all my power we were going to live here for a long time.
“Yeah... but, no one else, ok?” She asked as I carried her towards the house. She was 7 years old but, she did not have her shoes on.
'She is more like my daughter than mom's... but, what does that matter. At least, I stepped up when she was born even though I was 10.' I thought as I was unloading all the suitcases and totes of things from our old place.
“Lets get these bags and totes put away... then, we can explore our huge yard!” I said sounding excited as I brought the last tote into Ashley's room.
I had just got done hanging up my last hoodie in my closet when Ashley came skipping in happily.
“Hey, little monster... all done?” I asked as I grabbed her and put her on my shoulders in one fluid motion.
“Mhm... lets go explore!” She said and I could hear something in her voice that just wasn't right.
“Monster, what is wrong? I want to know what is going on in the big head of yours!” I said and playfully knocked on her head.
“I was just thinking... it is summer and I have no friends here! And, you are going to be busy being big.” She said sounding so sad.
“No, me and you against the world, remember?” I said and hugged her. It was something that I say to her every time we move to a new place.
“Yeah, me and you!” She said and smiled.
“Ok, explore or watch a movie?” I asked knowing that she want to explore.
“Explore... peas!” She said in a little kid voice.
“Act big!” I said sternly.
“Can we explore... please!” She said with the attitude that I have learned to love from her.
“Ok, explore we will!” I said as I carried her out the door.
We explored the barn where I had already put her big yard toys in. They may have only been a few of them but, they were enough for her to have a blast with. We headed towards the boundary lines I was setting for her.
“Hey, I am Katy! Welcome to Pea Valley! Hope you are getting settled in all right. Where did you guys move from?” This blonde haired beauty said as she jumped the barb wire fence and stood before us.
“Hi, I am Ashley. This is Jake, he is a little shy of girls. We moved from the city! Do you have-” Ashley started to just act like we were all the same age or something.
“Hi, as she said I am Jake! We are getting settled pretty well.” I said trying my hardest to be sociable with this girl. I had never talked to girls much. I had got scared out of my mind when I was little because, I hugged a girl and her mom started yelling at me. I had never had a girlfriend or a girl best friend.
“Well, I know just the girl for you to play with!” Katy said talking to Ashley who was still on my shoulders.
“Really, really... are you serious?” Ashley said jumping up and down on my shoulders. Well, I think bumping her butt on my shoulders is a better explanation of what she was doing.
“Yeah, she is my little sis and she is as nice as can be!” Katy said and walked to a piece of fence beside the barn and opened a little gate. I put Ashley down at that point and we followed her to meet Ashley's new friend.
While they were playing in our yard, Katy and I sat down on the ground and got to know each other a little better. We figured out that we were both going to be seniors in the fall. I told her that I was the main parent-figure for my sister. She said that she was in the same position. We realized we had a lot in common. Within a couple of weeks, we became best friends and the girls played daily.
We took them out on water, one day. We had just got done water skiing and were sitting down to a picnic lunch, when this truck pulls up on the other side of the tree we were under. I had this weird feeling that I needed to get the kids into my truck but, I just tried to pretend everything was ok. The next thing I knew. Katy had both kids in the truck and walked over to the people in the truck. At this time, I figured out that things were seriously not right. I ran over to Katy's side and automatically hugged her.
“We are Detective Swain and Officer Reed... we need to take Ms. Katy and Isabelle down to the station to talk to one of the other cops.” Said the Detective.
I looked at Katy and instantly knew how we were going to have to play it. I gave her a smile and went for it. I went to my truck and put Ashley on my back and carried Katy's little sister, Isabelle. I walked back and hugged Katy with my free arm.
“What is this about officer? We were trying to have a little family day out on the water.” I say trying to stay calm.
“Well, are you her neighbor?” Asked the Detective.
“Yes, sir!” I said and automatically knew that my mom and her parents got caught doing drugs.
“Ok, then... would you all like to talk here so that the little ones can eat or would you like to take the food down to the station with us.
“We can talk here!” I said.
After about an hour or so, the officers left. I held Katy who was crying. We both knew that the whole community would know now.
“We are going to have to sell one of our places to get out of this one and I am glad that you just turned 18. Now, we are both adults and now temporary guardians of these little monsters. We are going to move into to the same house and we are going to take this one step at a time.” I said confidently. I knew that this day would come sooner or later.
We will sell ours and live in yours. Oh and by the way, I told my friends that we are dating. So, yeah... it is official!” Katy said all happily.
The next few weeks were tough. We sold Katy's old house, re-put in the fence, and put all her stuff into my house. On top of that, I found a job and Katy signed us all four up for classes at school and watched the girls all day. We tried to make their lives as normal as we could. We had to go to court a few times to get permanent custody of the girls. We also went to our parents' sentencing hearings. During anytime that we went to court an officer would watch the girls.
We are now all going to school and I am working while Katy watches the girls. We have an awesome family life. We are now giving the girls the life that we wish we would have has as kids.
********************** Author's Note *****************************
I orginally wroten this piece for school but, I loved it so much, that I had to share it!!
