Finding Home

Chapter 9

For the rest of the day, Mer, Rebecca and I cozied up onto one of the soft, comfy, grey couches in the hangout room. I dove into all of Rebecca's stories. Lost in lands of love and fantasy. Adventure and mystery. Her words felt so real and so true. I couldn't believe how good she was.
Rebecca was also lost in a world of her own. She was deep in another book she'd been writing for months. It was a collection of her favourite poems she'd written throughout her life and I couldn't wait to read it once she'd finished. Mer was working on an English paper for school. We were all so consumed with our task that the time felt as if it had flown out the window that had been beside us. It was honestly an afternoon I'll never forget. It was so odd not have any responsibilities to complete or worry about. I found I couldn't imagine an afternoon where I hadn't been panicked that Mama would get mad at me if something wasn't finished. It was a perfect afternoon.
We stayed in the hangout room until we were all informed that it was dinner time. Giggling, all three of us raced down the stairs and snagged three seats at the back of the dining room.
The room was set up with a couple of large tables at the front and smaller two to four person tables scattered all around the large, wide room. We reached the only three person table in the entire space, all of us sliding into our seats as dramatically as a baseball player sliding into home. The meal was steaming grilled cheese sandwiches with a variety of warm filled soup. I smiled as I lifted my first spoonful up to my mouth. The warm liquid tasted amazing running down my throat. We happily joked, as we munched on cheesy gooey sandwiches.
After the meal, I was desperately seeking some alone time. Being an introvert I knew I needed my time alone especially now that my life felt like it had been wrung out and flipped backwards and then forwards again. I excused myself from Mer and Rebecca and wished them a good night. I was looking forward to crawling into my bed with the only book I'd had in my school bag. It was A Wrinkle In Time. I'd read it so many times I could easily tell the story, word for word, detail for detail, by heart. I was already flying through time and space with Mrs. Whatist, Mrs. Who, and Miss Which as I rounded the corner almost running face first into Lauren.
"Anna! What perfect timing! I was on my way to the dining room to find you. I wanted to inform you that Ms. Lewis will be coming by on Monday to chat with you and then to take you to your home to collect your things." I was confused by her news, wasn't Monday a school day? Wouldn't I be at school?
"Um, I don't mean to be rude, but isn't Monday a school day?" I questioned timidly.
"Yes, you are completely correct. However seeing how the last couple weeks haven't been the easiest on you, and now adjusting to your new temporary home, we thought it'd be best if you spent the week here, adjusting and getting comfortable. It'll also give us some private time to talk and sort out a couple small details. Does that sound all right?" I nodded, my head bobbling stupidly like a bobble head. "Yes, thank you." I felt relief rush all over me.
Lauren gently touched my arm with a small smile, I returned it and we both parted.

I climbed up the stairs to my room and sprawled out onto the bed. Sighing, I couldn't believe how lucky I was. I'd been dreading going back to school on Monday. I've been dreading facing Mr. Rolando and Tasha and all the other kids, but most of all I'd been dreading seeing Cameron again. This hadn't been the first time he picked on me. In the past, he used whatever he could to torture me. The news that I'd become a foster kid had probably already gotten around. I didn't want to face him yet, I don't think I could. He had made me his life long goal of torment from the day he met me. I didn't understand why, but I did know this new development in my life would definitely benefit him more than me.

I remember when Mama had gone through a particularly rough patch, she had been dating this guy on and off and it was an off period. She was grumpy and lazy and in no way helpful. She also happened to be out of work. Not just for a week or so, but several months. We were at a loss for food and the bare necessities. I remember needing new clothing, seeing as I'd been growing, but she wouldn't get me any. All my current clothes were too tight or either spotted in holes, large sags or stains. One day I couldn't find one piece of clothing that would possibly fit me, so I confronted her. I remember going up to Mama as an eight year old kid in tears because I didn't have a single shirt I could fit over my round head. She'd scowled at me. She lectured me on being responsible and savings and the silliness of new clothes. It was all just a blur of words and insults. I'd continued to sob, when finally, frustrated, she turned to her closet and pulled out her smallest pair of pants, drenched in rips and stains. She then stomped across the room and threw open her dresser, after searching through its contents for a minute, a lumpy, wrinkled shirt was tossed over to me. She'd thrusted them at me like they were a pile of old, stinky trash and stomped away. I remember sinking to the floor and stuffing my swollen, tear-stained face into the old clothes.