joe's foster home // fillie

t h r e e

chapter three

5:36 pm, december 20th

around five thirty in the evening was when she finally found it in herself to get up. she changed her sweatpants into a nice pair of jeans.

she still hadn't eaten a cupcake.

joe knocked on the door and came in while she was brushing her hair, sitting on the neatly made bed.

"hey," he said, his voice and smile soft as he glanced at her, "you're up,"

millie nodded.

he entered the room and closed the door, his hand still on the knob, his back to the door, as he asked, "is it okay if i relay the rest of the information on you?"

millie nodded.

joe sat down on sadie's bed across from her, as he leaned over, his hands folded. he seemed more serious, his hardened stare focused on the ground before glancing up to look at her, as he said, "i reviewed your case before you got here,"

millie nodded, swallowing.

she didn't want to talk about it. or think about it. breaking down in front of twice would be awful.

"and.....i just first want to say that i'm so sorry. and i know that your family can never be replaced. so please don't think what we're trying to replace them. they're—well, your family," joe said.

for some reason, him saying that made her feel a little bit better.

"we just want to support you and have you know that you have people that care about you," he continued.

millie nodded, sucking in a deep breath, "it's okay,"

she wasn't sure if she was lying or not.

joe nodded in reassurance, continuing, "okay. that being said, if you don't feel like someone's treating you right either here, at school, or on the street, you come to me, and i beat their ass,"

millie bit the inside of her cheek, trying to hold back a smile.

joe smiled before trying to return to his more serious tone, "i work from home, so i'll be here all day in case something happens at school or if you need to stay home, again, you just need to communicate with me,"

millie tilted her head, "what do you work as?"

joe shrugged, "i do a lot. tutoring. food catering. graphic design. a lot of little jobs i can do at home because i want to be here for you guys,"

millie nodded, as he continued, "so if you need anything, i'll only be a phone call away. and your phone's coming in in a week or so, don't worry,"

millie smiled, placing her brush back in her bag.

"tomorrow the kids all have work, so you and i are gonna hit up walmart for food and other stuff. you can make a list if you want to buy some of your favorite foods or some clothes,"

"work?" millie asked, tilting her head.

"yeah, they all work at the starcourt mall. i try to encourage all of my kids who are of age to get a job to help pay for college. it also gives you guys real world working experience. plus, i get a few hours off,"