unconsciously searching

Chapter 24

"Look Gem, we have no where else to place you. Either you say with the Mayers or go and live with your father"

The Burger shack was unusually empty at this time at night. Usually there were teens hanging out and getting drunk or old trashy couple on first dates. But today there didn't seem to be anyone in the joint.

I shrugged and ran my hands through my hair

"I don't want to stay with him"

I stated.

My social worker, Nina, sighed.

"Why not Gem? He lives in a nice house. And who knows, maybe you'll get to know him and you'll like

Him"

I shook my head

"No"

There was a short pause as I heard her draw a short breath, followed by a long exhale.

"Gem eventually your going to have to make peace. I know this is hard, but you can't be mad at him forever"

I looked over at Nina with a sarcastic look

"Try me".

Nina was tall, blond and weighed about 80 pounds. She had pointy glasses that matched her pointy nose. I knew she was 28, because she told me awhile back when I was first went into the foster system. Her voice was low for a chick, but that didn't bother me. Shepard saved me about a million times so far and I knew she could do it again.

"Ok gem. Here's the deal, you can stay at the adoption center for a week. But then your either going back with Mark or staying with your dad"

"Fine" well, at least that face me time to think about it.

I couldn't help but hate him. Honestly. I tried to get over it or forget about it or even walk up to his classroom and talk to him, but try as I might every time I thought about it I got angry. I hated how he made me figure it out myself, the way he defended himself! I mean, how, in any way shape or form is that ok. I hated all the birthday cards I didn't get and the morals and stupid stuff like that I was never taught. I didn't want to stay with him, I couldn't.