The Wish

Part One, Chapter Four

I never thought I'd get to the point where I'd be stuck in a mental hospital, but here I was. The nurse showed me my room where I'd be staying the next week. I immediately hated it. I looked at the girl whom I assumed was my roommate. She looked like she was crying.

"H-hi," I stuttered, "I'm Arabella."

"My name's Catelyn," the girl said, "What are you in for?"

"I threatened to kill myself in front of my mother," I stated, "We got into a huge argument before I was sent here."

"You mean that wasn't your mom you were hugging and crying with out there," Catelyn asked.

"Oh, her," I replied, "She's a really close friend. I consider her more of a mom to me than my biological mother."

Catelyn and I talked until it was time to turn the lights off. She was more welcoming than some of the other kids that were there. The first day was a little rough. The counselors and nurses had me doing worksheets and school work that Jasmine had brought over for me. I wasn't too fond of the group sessions. Jasmine and Mark called me after breakfast. I couldn't wait for them to come and visit.

When six o'clock rolled around, I waited in the common room for Jasmine and Mark to show up. I ran up and hugged both of them when they walked in the room.

"I've missed you guys so much," I said as we sat down.

"We've missed you," Mark said, "Cotton and Seven miss you, too."

"Belle, honey, we need to talk," Jasmine started with a serious tone in her voice.

"About what," I asked nervously.

Jasmine proceeded to talk about how my mom had gotten arrested for beating Adrianna. She told me that Adrianna suffered a broken arm, a broken nose, and a black eye. I knew something like this would have happened eventually, but I always expected it to be me getting hurt. My heart broke when they told me Adrianna was placed in a foster home. Jasmine and Mark said that they would fight to try to take both of us in.

"You would do that for us," I asked, "You'd really take Adrianna and I in?"

"Yes, we would," Jasmine smiled, "Belle, you are our daughter by choice and circumstance. Mark and I will always be there for you, no matter what. We are going to the courthouse tomorrow to try and get temporary custody of both of you."

I felt like crying because at that moment, I realized how much Jasmine and Mark loved me. We talked a little more about what it was like being here. Before they left they hugged me, Jasmine and I did our little routine saying, and they left. Jasmine called in the morning to let me know that she and Mark were in the courthouse waiting.

After the group session, Catelyn and I went into our room to talk. I told her everything that had happened. Catelyn told me she went through something similar when she was younger, and that her grandparents had tried filing for custody of her, but their request was denied. She told me not to get my hopes up. My nerves kept getting worse. I didn't eat much at lunch or dinner because of how nervous I was for hearing what Jasmine and Mark had to say about the hearing.

Once visiting hours came around, I paced the floor of the common room nervously. I heard two voices calling my name. When I looked over, I saw Sylvie and Carlotta standing together in the doorway.

"Oh my God," I cried, "I can't believe you guys are here!" I hugged both of them tightly.

"I came in with Mark and Jasmine," Carlotta stated, "They wanted everyone else to go ahead of them. Have to save the best for last, I guess." My hopes started going up when I heard her say they were saving the best for last.

"Joe and LouAnn are here, too," Sylvie smiled, "We all miss you, Belle. Life hasn't been the same with you here." Carlotta and Sylvie talked with me for a couple more minutes until they decided to let Joe and LouAnn come in. The whole time I talked to Joe and LouAnn, I couldn't stop thinking about what Carlotta had said. I looked forward to hearing Mark and Jasmine tell me that they won temporary custody of Adrianna and me.

When Joe and LouAnn left, Mark and Jasmine came in.

"How was the court hearing," I eagerly asked.

"It was fine," Jasmine said vaguely. She and Mark looked upset. They told me that they were both denied custody of Adrianna and myself. At first I thought they were joking, but something in my gut told me that they were serious. I asked Jasmine if she was only joking. She sighed and shook her head. Mark told me even my grandparents were denied temporary custody of us. That's when it hit me. I would have to be stuck in some foster home with strange people I never met. I probably wouldn't have a phone, and I wouldn't be able to talk to Jasmine, Sylvie, or anyone until I was released. Jasmine wiped the tears off of my cheeks with her thumbs and pulled me into a hug.

"I'm so sorry, Arabella," Jasmine apologized.

"Momma, it's not your fault," I calmly replied, "I'll admit that I'm scared beyond belief. I don't think I'll be able to handle living with strange people who don't give two shits about me. For all I know, they'll lock me in the basement and throw down a slice or two of bread three times a day." I felt Jasmine's hand strike the back of my head. It was gentle, but I knew she was hitting me harder in her mind. The three of us talked a little more until Jasmine realized that they had to feed the dogs. They both hugged me and told me they'd be back tomorrow.

I waited until it was time for everyone to go to bed to cry. This was the first time that I truly felt like the whole world was against me. I stared at the beautiful night sky through the window. The feeling that I probably wouldn't get to see Mark, Jasmine, Carlotta, Joe, LouAnn, or Sylvie hurt like a million knives repeatedly stabbing me. Catelyn woke up and came over to hug me.

"Let me guess, they were denied custody of you and your little sister," Catelyn sighed, "I'm so sorry, Arabella."

"It hurts so fucking much," I sobbed, "I was so hopeful. I wish I never had to deal with all of this. I wish I had a different family. This life I was given sucks and I want a new one."

"I wished that, too," Catelyn said, "But face it, life doesn't work that way. Come on and go to bed. Tomorrow's a new day."

I did what Catelyn said, and I went to bed. It felt like I was in some horrible nightmare that I couldn't wake up from. I woke up in the middle of the night, but to me, it felt like something was wrong. Boy, was I right. Something was wrong. Something was VERY wrong.