“Anna Christine Chaplin!”
That was my mother. Well, foster mother really. I think that she quite enjoys yelling and screaming at me. It helps her pass the time. She’s also an alcoholic. Her name is Fortuna Von Fezchuck.
My name is Anna Christine Chaplin. When my biological mother abandoned me at birth, she left me on the doorstep of a foster care facility with a note that had my name printed on it in clear, block letters. I always try to imagine what she looks like, by constructing her looks from my own facial structure.
A new guidance councillor came to town yesterday. I know because I was called to the office to talk to him. Apparently, because I have no friends, I’m messed up. Well, at least they got that part right. I’m just not worthy of having any friends.
Of course, teachers and guidance councillors don’t agree with me. They think that everybody should have at least one good friend. Somebody like me? With friends? I don’t think so. My life is way too messed up.
At that moment, I catch sight of my foster mother walking unsteadily down the stairs. My stomach clenches, as I was expecting what was about to happen. My mother had already seen me, so I could not quickly slip out the door to school.
She yells at me, mentioning that she has already called me, although I don’t know why. To my knowledge, I haven’t done anything to get her this mad. I guess I was wrong.
I flinch, already feeling the stinging slap landing on my right cheekbone. When it comes, however, it is unlike any I have ever received.
I gasp, unsure about why this hit was so much stronger and more painful than any other. I look up into my mother’s blazing eyes, and see that she’s furious. I’m not sure why.
I turn, and fly out the door, heading outside, away from the smell of vodka and the stinging slaps I always receive. I am glad that it is a school day. Weekends, I have to hang out in the back alley, reading, because my mother might have a key to my room; I’ve never asked. I wonder what she would say if I told her what I actually thought of her and my life living with her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she just started hitting me and yelling at me. That’s the only way she knows how to handle kids.
During math, I am once again called to the office. When I arrive, the guidance councillor, Quentin Beauregard, is standing in the doorway waiting for me.
We go to his office and, somehow, he gets me to tell him all about being abandoned by my mom and why I have no friends.
“…I’m just not worthy.” I finish, when talking about my lack of friendships.
“Everybody can have a friend” He told me, “even you.” And then sends me off to class.
At the end of the day, I walk home, hoping that my mother was passed out somewhere. Unfortunately, I have no luck with that. She stomps toward me, yelling as she walks, and I get a surge of anger; something I have never experienced before.
“STOP IT!” I scream “I DON’T DESERVE TO BE TREATED THIS WAY! LEAVE ME ALONE!” And then I ran to the phone and called Mr. Beauregard.
He shows up with someone from a rehab facility, and we stand watching as they lead my mother away. He tells me that I can stay at his house for the night, with him and his wife. I gasp, blinking back tears, as this is the first time anyone has ever shown me any kind of affection.
In the end, Mr. Beauregard adopts me. I now call him Dad. We have found my real mother, and it turns out I was abandoned because she was poor and unable to afford a child. I see her every weekend, slowly getting to know her. It turned out her name is Janice Chaplin. My biological father, Carl Richards, is a rich old fellow who wanted nothing to do with neither my mom nor I. He is now helping raise me, as he sends a check to Dad every other weekend; to help cover my expenses. I am also making many friends. Turns out even the most popular girl in school wanted to be my friend! This is the first time I have ever been happy. Just the thought is making me happier!
