The Smell of Lilies

Chapter 12

He took her out that night to the first place he had ever ventured to when he first moved to Chicago. It was a diner of sorts, but a little more classy and clean. The owner seemed to know Brandon when they walked in. Everybody seemed to know Brandon wherever he went. 

Brandon explained how the place and its regulars were big followers of the Chicago Bulls and was packed on game days. People would gather around the bar and gawk at the T.V. screen, hurling out insults to the opposing team and cussing out refs. It was a good way to pass time and usually fun, according to Brandon.

"My last host parent before I turned eighteen, George, was a big Patriots fan. I know it isn't basketball, but I didn't really understand what all the hype was about. He and his work buddies would sit on the couch on Sundays and have the time of their lives. One day I guess I really wanted to know what they liked about it so much so I snuck in and watched behind them. It took me a while, but I actually kind of liked it. The next day at school, I tried to play catch with some guys in my grade and they laughed at me."

Ouch. He wasn't expected that ending. 

"Do you still watch?"

"From time to time. I follow the Patriots, I guess because George did."

"Patriots aren't bad. They're playing the Ravens on the 22nd."

She nodded and took a sip of her Corona. "I know. I've got it ready to record on DVR at Leila's house."

They ordered fries and burgers, humble food. They got to talking about random things. Favorite music, favorite books, high school memories...Soon the subject of family came up again. Brandon was curious about her life as a foster child. He just didn't know how to ease into without the possibility of striking a nerve.

"How many foster homes were you and your sister in?" he tried.

"Five. We were in an orphanage up until I was four. Leila was two. We stayed with Mike and Christina for a few years, up until first grade I think. And then they were having their own child so they couldn't keep us. Tom and Candice were next. We stayed with them and a couple other foster kids until I was in fifth grade. Then came Henrietta, a widow. I think she chose us because she was lonely and wanted someone to take care of because her husband had passed. I liked her a lot. We stayed with her until I was in eighth grade. She eventually couldn't take care of us because she didn't make enough income. Emilia and Jon were next. That's when I started high school, when I first met you. The one who made me where pony tails. She was my least favorite to be honest.

"And that only lasted for a year. We moved in with Charles and Marcy then. The ones who owned the pool hall. They were really nice. Charles helped me out with college, and then even Leila. Sometimes I miss them."

"Do you have any remembrance of your parents? Do you know what happened?" He hoped it wasn't too pushy. He was just trying to understand her.

She didn't seemed phased, just a little distant as she tried to remember. Kel and Leila had always tried to remember their parents, of course. Leila hardly had a chance to remember though because she was only two. Kel's mind was fuzzy as well.

"We don't really remember them. Sometimes I try to sit and think about them, but I can't because I can't picture them. And then my mind will make up faces and personalities but they're fake and it bothers me. So I try to forget it move on. All I know is that they either didn't want us or couldn't take care of us. I don't even have a picture of them. Just two empty names."

"No memorabilia of any sort? No other legal documents?"

She shook her head. "But leads me to think that the first option is true, they just didn't want us anymore. If they had just been unable to take care of us then they must have left something, or at least visited. That's what the other parents of some foster kids did. But not us. I don't think they've passed away either. I just don't know."