The Light Within

The Rays Come Through

My eyes flickered between my surroundings, the green trees rushing past us as we drove. I was nervous, and happy, and angry all at the same time. Do these people actually want me? After I gave my own father away and left him? What I did was unforgivable, but I had to get out of that suffocating environment. I'm headed to a foster family. My agent says that they're kind people that have good hearts and intentions. I haven't fully wrapped the idea around my head that I was going to live with someone else, no more being independent.

"It'll be fine, Sweetie." Christy said as she took hold of my hand and rested them on the console.

I nodded my head and pulled my knees to my chest. I wasn't sure if I was ready for this or not. My father was never there for me. I grew up relying on myself, and myself only. I had no boyfriend, no siblings, and no other relatives. I only had myself. Having a whole other group of people to be there for me is undiscovered territory. My father abused me. I'm not talking a few hits here and there, I got bruises constantly, broken ribs and bones, drunken slaps with extra force, waking up in a hospital with him telling lies about how I fell or how i'm clumsy. It was traumatic and there were times when I wished I was dead.

"Okay, Will, we're here." Christy said as she started collecting her purse and other various items about the car.

How could we have already arrived?!

While the thoughts tossed around my head, I gathered my suitcase, my phone, and earbuds. It was all I had time to collect when Child Services arrived at my previous house. Goosebumps rose on my skin to just the thought of the subject.

I lightly pushed the car door shut and turned to face Christy who was now standing by the hood of the car, waiting. I walked towards her, the luggage softly bouncing against my thy.

Together, we walked forward to the light-yellow Victorian style house. The shutters around the multiple windows were white, the archway of the door made of white-stained wood as well. We walked along the white pavement pathway, and up the steps to the big, dark-blue door.

"You ready?" Christy asked.

I adjusted my suitcase in my hand and slowly nodded, but internally said 'no way in hell.'

Her hand went to the door bell, slowly pressing down. A loud chime reverberated throughout the house. Not even a split second later did we hear shuffling, and the door swung open wide.

Two people, a man and a woman, stood there. The man had salt and pepper colored hair, brown eyes, and was probably in his 50's. The woman had brown hair with white streaks, hazel eyes, and was in her mid to late 40's.

"Willow!" They said in unison. Before I had time to even comprehend what was happening, I got embraced in a warm, heart-filled hug. I stood there, my arms dangling at my side, and my eyes wide with shock.

"Uh, hello." I muttered.

The two retreated, scrambling backwards. They probably sensed it was out of boundaries for me. Good, they have brains.

"Well, come on in! You two don't need to act like strangers." The man said as he wrapped an arm around the woman's waist.

"Oh, of course they aren't, Barry, she's family now!"

"Why, I know, just being polite, Margret."

They moved out of the door frame, Barry, so he's called, went to the left, the kitchen i'm guessing by the sounds of glasses clanking and liquids being poured. Margret went straight and sat down in a family room, with white drapes, a large television, and a white couch surrounded the room. She sank down into a plush couch, waving to follow her.

Christy and I looked at each other and then back into the house. I shuffled forward with my stuff, Christy shutting the door and following behind me.

"Oh! Dear, just set your things over on that coat rack shelf in the foyer." Barry said, coming out of the blue, making me jump a bit.

I moved over to the large, wooden box that had coat hangers above it. I set my suitcase on the top of the box and took my coat off to hang it up. I started to walk over to the two ladies sitting on the couch when Barry came up beside me with a tray of drinks in his hand. He nudged me with his elbow and made me smile.

"Well, look at these two already bonding!" Margret squealed, Christy laughing as well.

I shyly walked over and sat down on the arm chair, taking in my surroundings. The table in the center of the family room was made of bamboo-like wood. The curtains sheer, letting in light through the tall-pained windows. There were shelves made of similar wood to the table holding books, family photos, and possible sentimental nick-knacks.

Barry came over, setting the tray on the table and sitting down next to his wife.

"So, how many people live here, exactly?" Christy asked, shifting a bit in her seat.

"Well, we have Ian, our son, he's 16. He lives here, of course, and his room is on the other side of the house." Barry stated. "Then we have Kylie who's only 12. She lives here as well, and her room is right next to yours, Willow." He stated.

I nodded, the attention uncomfortably shifting onto me. I clasped my hands together, my knuckles turning white. Shit, if I say nothing it'll be rude.

"Um, okay."

That didn't seem to help, an awkward silence settling in the room. I sure do know how to stop a conversation. Great.

"Well, uh, the boys will be home soon. Christy would you like to stay for dinner?" Margret asked.

Suddenly, my hearing went impaired. D-did she just say boys? As in PLURAL? I thought it was ONE boy, and ONE girl. One male, not TWO! I can't live with TWO boys! As I came back into my senses, I saw Christy stand up and shake hands with my two new foster parents.

"I-i'm sorry, did you just say boys?" I asked uncomfortably.

"Why, yes dear. Kylie is still at school, Ian and his friend are out getting groceries. Such sweet boys. Even though Mason lives across the street, he still stays over quite a bit, he's family as well." Margret stated.

My shoulders tensed and I breathed deeply. Okay. Just one semi-brother, and his friend. I can deal with that right? Only three boys in the house. They won't be like HIM. It'll be okay.