The Foster

part 50

I was woken up by Jake shaking my arm.

"Someone is here to see you." He told me.

"Huh? Who?" I said in that weird just-woke-up voice.

"Your caseworker. She says get dressed and go downstairs to see her." Jake explained. He left my room and I got dressed. I still looked pretty rough, so I combed my hair and washed my face.

"Camille!" Shelly said when she saw me.

"Shelly." I said in a less excited tone.

"I have good news. We are going to see Anna in the hospital. She is allowed to have visitors now." Shelly told me.

"Really? Okay, let's go." I said. This was probably the only time she has seen me excited. We walked out to her car and got in.

"Another thing, I'm not going to be the one taking you. Belle is a nice lady who will be your new caseworker. She has been working with me for years and is now taking over my position. I'm sure you will like her, and I decided to let her take you so you two can bond a little. She's meeting us not too far from here." Shelly explained.

"Oh. Uh... okay." I said. It was going to be so weird now. A complete stranger asking me about my entire life. What does she already know about me?

We met Belle at a gas station and I got into her car.

"Hello! I'm Belle. Nice to finally meet you, i've heard so much." Bella said. She looked not much older than me, maybe early twenties. Her hair was dark brown and wavy, and she wore big glasses. She was so cute. "The hospital is not too far away. I was thinking I could drop you off then go get some lunch to bring back for us three to eat."

"Sounds good. Surely Anna is sick of hospital food by now." I said.

"So... tell me about your biological parents." Belle started.

"Well there's not much to tell. My dad left me and my mom... uh, she uh, she passed away. So there's that." I choked out.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Have you had any contact with your father?" She asked.

"Actually no. I don't know if anyone has tried to reach out to him, but I sure haven't. I have a sister named Claire though. She left with my dad. No contact with her either." I said.

"Sounds like you live a pretty crazy life. Who do you live with now?" Belle asked.

"Well i'm temporarily staying with Earl, but I live with Anna, Ross, and little baby Julia. And that's where I want to stay." I told her.

"That's my plan. I want what's best for you. Why do you think Anna's home is best for you?" Belle looked at me.

"Well, Anna is so supportive and she knows what it's like to be a teenager these days. She's not too much older than me, and that's how I like it. She can be a friend and a parent at the same time. Ross being there is a plus too. He's my best friend, without him I don't know where I would be. Probably friendless since he is the one who introduces me to everyone." I explained.

"And you don't think it's a problem that Anna is so young? What if Ross left, would you still want to stay with Anna?" Belle questioned.

"I mean I haven't thought too far into it. So far I just know that I belong with Ross and Anna." I said.

"Then that is what I will try to help you do." Belle said.

She pulled into the hospital and dropped me off at the door. A nurse showed me the way to Anna's room. I knocked lightly and walked in.

"You up?" I said quietly. Anna opened her eyes and looked at me.

"Aw baby, come here." She held out her arms and I leaned into them. Her embrace felt amazing at this moment in time. I needed it.

"I missed you." I said as I pulled away.

"Oh, I've missed you too. How have you been? How are Ross and Julia? Why aren't they here?" She questioned.

"I had to go to another house until you get better. Ross and Julia are still staying with Cathy. They took my phone, that's why I didn't call you." I told her.

"Took your phone? Why won't they let you stay with Cathy?" Anna asked, she was starting to get frustrated. I knew that wouldn't be good in her condition.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. I even have a friend at the new house. I couldn't stay with Cathy because legally she can only look after two minors at a time. But i'm sure Ross and Julia are in good hands. I can look after myself." I assured her.

"I wish I wasn't here. I need to be home looking after you three." Anna said.

"Get all healed up, then you can be with us. You're looking better." I lied.

"Really? I just took a shower by myself this morning. I used to need help. They say i'm getting better and I should be going home in a few days. Sorry to ruin your break from school. On the good side, you only have 5 days of school, then it's winter break!" Anna exclaimed.

"You better be healthy by christmas break. My first christmas with you." I smiled.

"I can't wait." Anna held my hand.

Belle walked in with our food and sat down. We all started eating panera and watched what was on tv while we ate.

"I've heard a lot about you, Anna. From what I can tell, Camille thinks very highly of you." Belle stated.

"Well good, I think very highly of her." Anna chuckled.

After hanging out for a while, Belle asked to speak to Anna along. I walked out and sat on a bench in the hall. I started getting nervous. I always do when someone talks about something they don't want me to know. Did I do something wrong?

It was a long few minutes, but finally Belle came out. She said Anna needed some rest and that it was time to go. It was sad and I felt the need to cry, but held it in. I didn't want to leave her alone. Or at all, really.

"You have a court date tomorrow, I'm going to fight for you to go up for adoption. If that's what you want anyways, is it?" Belle asked once we were in the car.

"Well, yeah that would be nice. I still don't understand why I haven't been up for adoption since I got put into foster care." I told her.

"It's because you have a dad out there somewhere. You can come to court with me if you want, it will be good for you to talk to the judge." Belle said.

"Oh, uh, okay. Sure. What time is it? Should I dress nice? I don't have many nice clothes, especially at Earls house. What is it for exactly?" I questioned.

"Chill out." She laughed. "You don't need to worry. I'll pick you up around noon. Just wear your casual clothes, it isn't a formal meeting. The judge just wants to speak about your case again now that you are sixteen."

"Should I prepare some kind of speech?" I asked. I was so nervous.

"No, nothing like that. It will be a short meeting, he might just ask you a few questions, that's all. I'll be right by your side the whole time." Belle assured me.

After I agreed to go, we stopped talking as much. I was really tired and think I drifted off for a bit.

At the house, Belle just dropped my off. Inside, Everyone was watching a movie downstairs including Jake.

"How did it go?" Earl asked.

"Uh, good. She's picking me up at noon tomorrow for court." I said, stop walking. He left it at that and I went upstairs. I was exhausted so I took a shower and went straight to bed.