The Foster

part 47

It was Friday morning. Ross had been hanging out with Tyler every day this week and we haven't said a word to each other since the night of the bonfire. Anna is still in the hospital.

Ross was watching tv and I was sitting on the bed listening to music when there was a knock on our door at around 10am.

"Camille, there's someone here at the door wanting to talk to you." Cathy said from the top of the steps.

"Okay, i'll be right there." I called. Finally, a friend wants to hang out. Maybe it's Tyler.

I ran upstairs and to the front porch. Only to see Shelly, my caseworker.

"Come to check how i'm doing? The answer is great. Anything else?" I said to her.

"Camille, why can't we just get along?" Shelly asked.

"If you actually don't know then it's no use trying to explain it to you." I sighed.

"Well, I came to pick you up. Long story short, Cathy is only permitted to watching two children at a time. There's three of you. Unfortunately, you will have to go to respite until Anna is out of the hospital." Shelly told me.

"What? She's already watched us for a few nights and everything has been fine. Anna should be out any day now. I have school." I felt my throat crack. Although I didn't love Cathy's house, I couldn't leave Ross. God, I can't stay mad at him.

"She has to get surgery and then recover. Afterwards she will be fine. It's not too far, now can you please pack a bag? I already explained everything to Cathy." Shelly asked.

I went inside and almost lost my breath as I closed the door behind me. Where was I going? Maybe they won't like me. How long will I have to stay? I can't leave Ross. I haven't slept without him for what seems like forever.

I walked downstairs to see him sitting up waiting on me.

"Who was it?" He asked. "What's wrong?" He must've seen it in my face.

"I... I have to go to respite. For who knows how long." I said. After I explained everything to him, there was silence.

"I can go with you." He said. We both know that's not going to happen.

My bag was already packed so I could leave whenever I wanted. I grabbed the backpack and put my wallet and phone in it.

Ross pulled me into a really tight hug. I could feel his breath tighten in my neck. As he pulled away, he left a lingering kiss on my lips. I started to tear up.

"I don't want to leave you." I whispered, looking at him.

"It won't be for long, we will be fine. Call me as soon as you get there and we can make plans for me to pick you up tonight. Okay?" He tried to comfort me. I nodded my head and gave him one more kiss before walking upstairs.

"Ready?" Shelly asked. She tried to hold my bag for me but I kept it.

"See you later, have fun!" Cathy called as we walked out the door. I ignored her and walked straight to Shelly's car. She got in after me and hesitated for a second.

"Why do you like this family so much?" Shelly asked.

"Anna is the only one who I believe truly loves me. Can we go now?" I asked. Without another word, Shelly started driving. We passed the school, then the town we always hung out in. After a while of driving, we turned onto a road off the main.

"It's only about an hour away from Anna's house, we're almost there. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, but there are other kids your age there too. A girl and a boy. You shouldn't have to be here for too long." Shelly told me. I didn't say anything.