Jillian Rose

Bonus Chapter

"One two buckle my shoe. Three four knock at the door. Five six pickup sticks, Seven eight lay them straight. Nine Ten, a big fat hen." I sang as I fixed the covers on the bunk bed. I felt the butterflies in my stomach as I saw the blue sedan pull into our driveway. I inhaled deeply and placed my hand on my stomach.

"Relax," Chad said as he wiped the oil from his hands. I hadn't heard him come home. Chad had just opened his own garage less than a year ago. He had been working long hours as the only mechanic at Harris and Sons Auto Service.

"I can't help it."

"They'll love you. They always do."

I smiled up at Chad. His eyes wrinkled when he smiled. His black hair was speckled with grey. I could smell the motor oil on him.

I ran down the hall as the doorbell rang. I fixed my dress and opened the door slowly, trying not to channel Suzy Homemaker. I had to appear normal. I was a waitress not a 50's house wife.

"Hi, Jillian? My name is Alexandra Carlton. We spoke on the phone," The woman said as she extended her hand.

I shook it politely. "Yes of course."

"This is Olivia," she said as she motioned towards the teenage girl next to her. "And this is Oliver," she motioned to the pre-teen boy she was holding by the shoulder.

I smiled and motioned for them to come into the house.

"They don't talk much."

"Go ahead and make yourself at home," I said to Oliva.

"Go fuck yourself," she said as she walked off.

"...that's the only thing she says," Alexandra Carlton said with tight lips and wide eyes. "Oliver, on the other hand, hasn't said a word since they took him into custody."

"When was that?"

"Two years ago."

"Olivia just...She doesn't trust adults. She keeps making up lies about her foster parents, teachers, other case workers-"

"Children don't lie about that! As her caseworker you need to listen to her."

"I do listen, that's why she keeps being moved. After the disaster you and your husband made for the system in Sansapolis...things are different."

"Good, maybe you should start believing her."

"You'll learn," Alexandra Carlton said as she headed back to her car.

"What was that about?" Chad asked as he removed the suitcase from my hand.

"Nothing...Can you show Oliver to his room. I'll take Olivia."

I read in their file that they had been taken from their parents care at gun point by the police in a shootout that resulted in their deaths. She was 12 at the time. He was 9.

I saw Olivia staring at me out of the corner of my eye. I took her bag from her and led her down the hall to her bedroom. She followed me reluctantly. She watched Chad as he led Oliver to his room.

"You're right across the hall," I said pushing her door open. "You and your brother are safe here."

She glared at me.

"I know they all say that. You don't have to trust me. Just respect the house rules, Okay....We do believe you, if it matters."

"Fuck off," she said ripping her bag from me and shutting the door in my face.

I nodded slowly and turned away from the door. She was going to be a fun one. The difficult ones were my favorite.

"Jillian."

I looked around and took a deep breath. There was no one there.

"Jillian if you can hear me open your eyes."

There was that feeling again. I closed my eyes and pressed my hand into my stomach to calm the butterflies as they attempted to escape.

"What's wrong?" Chad said putting his hand on my shoulder.

I exhaled slowly. I placed my hand over his and squeezed it gently. "Nothing," I said running my hands over my dress. "It's nothing." I forced a smile.

"You're hearing the voices again, aren't you?

"It'll pass. It always does."

"This isn't real," Oliver said standing in his doorway.

I knelt down slowly to meet him at his level. I tried to keep the look of shock from my face. He spoke! He hadn't spoken in 2 years. "What are you talking about, sweetie?"

"You're going to have choose where to go eventually," Olivia said standing next to Oliver.

I stood up slowly and turned towards Olivia's closed door. I looked over at Chad who was wiping his hands on an old rag. I straightened my dress. I pushed the uneasy feeling in my stomach down. Something wasn't right. I pushed the thought out of my mind. "No" I said softly. "You're safe here. We're all safe here. We don't have to go anywhere." 

"Jillian."