Reaching for Rebecca

Chapter 65

REBECCA'S POV

I sat incredibly still and braced myself for her story. I didn't want to rush Bentley because I'm sure it rivaled mine but in different ways.

"The best way I can tell this story is to go through it backwards... if that makes sense." I nod and wait for her to continue on her own time, not wanting to interrupt her head space.

"So, I just moved here not too long ago – maybe a month before I met you. The family I'm with now is nice and I think I'll end up staying here until I turn eighteen to be honest. I've been bounced around in the system forever but never really stayed long enough to get a chance to meet people... that's why I'm really glad Ryan left you alone at that baseball game so you were forced to talk to me." Bentley pauses and shoots me a shy smile. "All of the other people you've helped me befriend are amazing too and I can't thank you enough but anyways, back to the story. The reason I don't spend a lot of time at the foster homes is because I never really know what to expect. Sometimes the parents are great and other times not so much, there are issues with other kids in the house too occasionally. This house has been fine so far, but the parents are almost too relaxed and they have two of their own children and two other foster kids besides me staying there so it gets a little too hectic."

"I'm sure the Bradley's won't mind if you crash here once in a while if it gets too much, Landon does the same thing," I offer.

"What do you mean Landon does the same thing?" My mind panics and my eyes widen slightly.

"Uhm, I think that's something Landon prefers to keep secret... I'm sorry." Bentley nods along.

"No, I get it, it's okay. And thanks for the offer but I don't want to impose – I'll keep it in mind though... Continuing: The house I stayed in for about four months before now didn't have the greatest living conditions. They were trying to take advantage of the system and had the maximum number of kids staying there just so they could live off the government's dime. In other words, they didn't really care about us. It's not new to be uncared for but they rarely cooked dinner or even provided shampoo right away when we ran out. If it wasn't for Harley and me both working to provide for the younger kids I'm not sure what would've happened."

"Who's Harley?" I interrupt, unable to help myself.

"Harley is... well Harley is a year younger than us. He has a really good heart but always gave me a weird vibe. We've been in the same house before this one and I think it brought us closer together. We keep in touch still but probably only talk once or twice a week." I show my understanding with a nod even though I really want to know what she means by 'weird vibe.'

"Harley and I didn't want to report the house since there were a lot of little kids there and we know how bad these places can actually get. This house didn't have the best living conditions but at least they were safe. The house before that was where I spent most of my time. I was there from the age of seven to just before I turned sixteen." She stopped an inhaled a shaky breath. "They were kind of pulling the same thing by collecting checks but they only had two of us under their supervision. Leah was two years younger than me and quickly became like a little sister to me. We got assigned to the Marcus's at the same time and actually moved in on the same day. Mrs. Marcus, I never learned their first names, would always be gone either working or out of town. Mr. Marcus was a painter and stayed home more often than he went out."

Ryan burst through the door carrying a pizza and causing us both to jolt in surprise. I clumsily fell backwards off the bed and groaned when my head hit the floor with a loud thump. He quickly set the pizza on the dresser top and strode over to help me up.