DNA or Nurture

Abandoned

Nine year old twins, Harvey Allen, who has Down Syndrome and Harper Allison Shepherd are the kids of Amelia Shepherd. Amelia was raped and impregnated by her uncle when she was fifteen. Amelia does drugs and alcohol to help forget the fact that she was raped by someone she trusted.

One day when Harper and Harvey walk home from school, their mom isn't home and their house is surrounded by social services and police officers.

"What's going on, officer?" Harper asked concerned while also staying close to her brother in case she needs to protect him.

"Where's my mommy?" Harvey asked

"Are you two Harper and Harvey Shepherd?" The officer asked

Harper and Harvey nodded with worried looks on their faces.

"When was the last time you saw your mom?" The officer asked

Harvey stared at the police officer, pursed his lips together and then looked at his sister.

Harper saw the look on brother's face and quickly replied, "This morning when we left school."

"Are you sure?" The officer asked looking skeptically at the kids

Harper nodded, "Yes I'm sure. She probably just went to the store and will be back soon."

Harvey looked down not able to handle the look the officer was giving him and his sister.

The officer bent down to Harvey's level and lifted the little boy's chin a little, "Your sister is lying, isn't she?" The officer paused waiting for an answer, "When did you last see your mother?"

Harvey sighed and nodded, "We saw her last week." Then he asked worried, "Is my mommy okay? Mommy was supposed to meet my teacher for a parent teacher meeting."

"we don't know where she is, but I need you to go with this nice lady over here." The officer said "She's a social worker. She's going to find you a safe home to stay in while we try to find your mom."

Harvey nodded even though he was scared. It was times like this he wished he had a dad.

"What if our mom comes back?" Harper asked "She always comes back, and when she does she won't know where my brother and I are. She'll be worried."

"Don't worry about your mom, kids. We'll fill her on when she returns or when we find her." The officer assured the kids

Harvey and Harper both nodded, then walked over to their social worker.

"Hi, I'm Mackenzie Matthews. I'm your social worker." Mackenzie introduced "And don't worry. I'll find you both a great foster home."

"You won't split us up, right?" Harper asked for reassurance "Because I won't leave my brother. He needs me. He can't survive without me."

"I'll do my best not to." Mackenzie replied "Its hard to place one kid sometimes, let alone two." Harper and Harvey nodded

Mackenzie showed the kids to her car, and then drove them to social services. The kids waited in Mackenzie's office while she made calls to find a foster home for both Harper and Harvey.

A couple hours later Mackenzie's boss, Tracy walked into her office.

"Miss Matthews, it's almost five." Tracy said "You need to find a home for those kids by 5:30 or you'll have to take them to a group home until you can find them a foster home."

Mackenzie nodded, "Yes ma'am."

"Miss Matthews? What's a group home?" Harvey asked

"It's a temporary placement home until a foster home can be found." Mackenzie replied to which Harvey nodded