And Then There Were Three - Adopted by Jizzie

9-

Katelyn

We were half way into the hour long drive. Before we left, I was worried that the drive would be awkward, with it being so long and all. However, we had talked about all sorts, from my favourite things to Meri and Buddy. We sang along to the radio and I felt so happy. No one had asked me any fully serious questions yet, either.

"Uh, Katelyn...can I ask you something?" Joel asked.

"Sure,"

"What happened to your parents? And, why did it take so long for you to be adopted?" He asked.

I gulped. I'd never really thought about it, but I suppose I'd never really wanted to think about it. I saw Lizzie give Joel a bit of a nervous glance.

"Um, I can't really remember very well myself, but Mrs Thomas told me. She said they got in a car crash when it was raining hard. Something to do with slippy roads and a drink driver. I was too young to properly remember them I suppose, but I do still think about them..." I trailed off at the end. I looked at the floor, desperately trying not to let this ruin anything.

"And about it taking so long to be adopted, I guess I just never clicked with anyone. I've always been quite shy which I suppose put people off. Plus, Lauren and Eva had always talked bad about me and people always believed them over the shy girl. I don't know really, but it doesn't matter now because I'm happy. " I smiled out of the window, trying not to reveal that I had a few tears in my eyes. I hoped that I hadn't made anything awkward or messed it up.

After that, it was silent for a little while. The music still played but none of us talked. I was worried that I'd messed up.

"I... I'm sorry," I croaked.

"What for?" Lizzie asked, turning around.

"I got a little upset, when there was no reason to. I've messed up the good mood." I frowned.

Joel pulled over into a bay. Both Lizzie and Joel turned around.

"Hey, you haven't messed up at all. Plus, you're bound to get upset. It's your birth parents we're talking about, and they're not here. It's ok to get upset." Lizzie smiled.

I smiled back.

"I'm sorry Kaitlyn. I didn't want to upset you, I just wanted to ask to learn a little more about you. I'm sorry." Joel frowned.

"Don't be sorry Joel, you're right. It's best to get things like that set down before things go any further. Can we go back to how things were earlier?" I asked.

"Of course."

We pulled back onto the road, laughing and joking, singing loudly to music. These were going to be the best days.