A New Life

Adoption Day

Ms. Trace told us all to be very polite. Today's adoption day, and were all told to remain upstairs as usual. If someone wants to adopt us, they will come retrieve us themselves, Ms. Trace says.

I really hope I get adopted. I can't take it much longer. I'm in constant pain. I have bruises and scars all over, especially the areas I was beaten with a stick.

I'm sitting on my mattress right now. All the other girls are out in the hallway peeking at the people downstairs. Apparently, there's one boy down there who's a celebrity or something. Rumor has it he's a country singer.

Gah, I'd love a country singer to adopt me. I could live in a nice house, probably in Nashville, and it would be an amazing life. My favorite, all time singer is Luke Bryan. He's been with me through it all. His song "Drink A Beer" and "You Don't Know Jack" are the only two songs I've listened to since my father died, but I haven't been able to listen to them much. Ms. Trace took my phone the second I arrived. 😒 So now I have no family, and no Luke Bryan. So I sit, and hum the lyrics to these songs every moment of everyday, because what can a girl like me do?

My thoughts are interrupted when a man walks through the door followed by Ms. Trace. "You don't want her. She's a pain in the butt." "I want her," he says. "No," Ms. Trace says. "You must not have understood. I. Want. Her. This is a shelter for girls where people come to adopt them. I'm here to adopt her," he says once again very firmly. "Fine, I must go full out the papers." I must be hallucinating. This man looks just like Luke Bryan.

I get up, and walk closer. I'm just about close enough to him to realize that it's THE Luke Bryan until he scares me by speaking. I jump. "Woah! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare ya baby girl." "Are you gonna adopt me?" "Well, I've been looking for a daughter, my wife and I have. I think you'd be perfect," he says. "Really??" I can't help, but release a smile. "Yup, why don't you tell me about yourself?" "I'm Cheyenne, I'm 14, and my father died not too long ago." He frowns, "I'm sorry. I hope coming to live with me will change things. I've heard about this place, and the things that happen. I'm home from touring right now. Caroline and I want BoBo and Taterbug to have a big sister. So what do ya say? By the way, you seem really familiar. Have you ever been to one of my concerts?!" I smile again and reply," Yes, but who are Bobo & Taterbug? I went once last year, and sat in the pit section. It was the best night of my life. You and your music have done more for me than anyone ever will." "Aww, thanks baby girl. Is it ok if I call ya that? Bobo & Taterbug are my kids." "Sure, I'm so happy to be leaving this place!! Do ya think Bobo & Taterbug will like me?" He grins, "I'm sure they will! Now lets sign the papers, and get ya out of here."