Pure

22

-Demi

I'm just not sure what to make of it.
I did my best not to listen to the conversation. I felt she needed her privacy. I was actually surprised that she didn't run up to her room. But I really concentrated hard on anything other then listening and I actually didn't hear a word. So when she's crying like this, I'm not sure if that's a good sign or not.
Her sister sounded so loving on the phone, she couldn't possibly be mad at her. I mean, yeah she's probably mad that she ran away, but not mad about the reason why. She really wanted to see her again when I spoke to her, so what could she already have said that doesn't have my girl already packing her bags to leave.

I really can't wrap my head around it. She's been with me for only close to two months but it's like we've already been through so much together and I really don't want her to leave. I don't feel like her mom and it was never my intention to and I'm sure her mother loves her more then I do, but my goodness I freaking love this girl more then I love myself. Especially because of all the crap she's pulled on me, for some reason it makes me love her even more. And for that reason I also know I did the right thing when I called her sister. Because as much as I don't want her to leave, I can't even begin to imagine what her family must feel like. I'm already hurting just by the thought of her leaving me, but at least I'll know she's safe and happy with the people she loves. They- on the other hand -have been living without knowing shit for the past four months. They didn't know where she was, how she was or if she even still was. She could've been dead for all they knew. And they are her family, of course they deserve her. I just wish they lived like next to me or something so that I'd at least still get to see her sometime.

"Hey girly," I whisper, as I stroke her hair. "Wanna tell me what happened? Why are you so sad?"

She takes a deep breath and pulls her arms back from around me, as we both sit down on the couch. "I spoke to my nephew," she has a small smile on her face. "I haven't heard his voice in so long. He sounds so grown up, suddenly. As if he grew overnight, you know? And the little baby will be two months soon," she sighs. "I have been there with all of them. I can't believe I'm missing her newborn stage already. She's not even gonna know who I am like the others do," she says. "I miss them, Demi. I really really miss them. All of them, not just Tali and her family. I miss every single one of my siblings and nieces and nephews. And my parents. But also especially Tali and her kids. I practically lived in her house. She is like my second mom and her kids are almost my kids. And I'm just missing precious moments of their lives. Buddy lost his third tooth," she chuckles. "And they're all starting to go to school and learning to walk and potty training and everything. And I'm just missing it."

"Tell me about them," I offer.

"Well, buddy is the oldest. He's a super bright kid and very adorable. He's very grown up for his age. He likes to be in charge and take care of his younger siblings. Little lady just lives in her own world. She doesn't make a peep. Sometimes it's a little worrying, but the doctors say she's totally healthy. She knows how to talk, but she just has this whole other universe that plays in her head that she'd much rather be part of. In a way it's good, cause she doesn't cause much trouble. She'll just sit and play by herself for hours and then do whatever she's told. Freckles is a bit more of a trouble maker. He likes to make his existence known whenever he can in a lot of different ways. He's kinda pulling Goldie girl into it with him too and it's loud and hard for my sister, but absolutely adorable also. Two little troubles really. And then there's the baby, which I've never met but looks exactly like freckles did when he was born- just in a girl version."

"What's with all their names?" I can't help but ask.

She laughs and shrugs. "I'm not entirely sure, actually. Well, I mean freckles is pretty obvious. His face is just completely covered in freckles, so that's where he gets his name. And by the looks of it we might get a freckles number two with the baby. Goldie girl just has this crazy golden hair color. It actually started off at goldilocks, but we changed it to Goldie girl, cause bud bud claimed she wouldn't wanna be goldilocks when she got older. Him and the little lady, I'm not entirely sure. I mean, my niece just looked like this little princess when she was born, you know? She looked like she'd turn into one of those kids that's just always playing with dolls and houses and make up and just become a little lady," she laughs. "So that's where she got hers I guess. And then bud bud has no reason other then that we just started calling him that and it stuck."