True Identity

Chapter 3

Nia wakes feeling clean and refreshed. She goes out of the room to find her clothes all clean and folded by the door. She brings them in and sets them on the bed. She then goes downstairs to the kitchen where cinnamon rolls were being made. Logan was already down there, playing a game with James. Nia joins Heather in the kitchen.

"Good morning Leanne," she says.

"Morning," Nia says.

Heather smiles, then frowns. "Your hair looks like it is a bit of a hassle. Do you need any help with it?"

Nia chuckles. "Good luck, I tried to detangle it last night."

"Would a haircut help?" Heather asks.

Nia shrugs. "Probably."

"My hairdresser also works with your hair type. I could get you an appointment with her."

"I don't have the money for that," Nia says.

"Why would you pay for it?" Heather asks, confused. "My treat."

Nia looks confused. "I... I guess."

Heather smiles. "I'll call her after breakfast. Also, if you and Logan could give me your bags, I can wash those for you too."

After breakfast, Heather and Leanne head to the hair salon. Once in the chair though, Nia's tics start to pick up.

The hairdresser frowns thoughtfully. "This will be a challenge, but I can do it."

Nia looks at her. "Really...?"

The hairdresser shugs. "I'll figure it out, you just relax and try to enjoy."

Two hours later Nia's hair has been detangled, cut, and re-braided. She looks in the mirror and smiles. "Wow... Thank you so much."

The hairdresser chuckles. "You are very welcome."

After paying, Heather leads Nia to the car. "How about we get some lunch and then go shopping for some new clothes?"

Nia raises an eyebrow. "Why are you doing all these nice things for me?"

Heather shrugs. "Because I want to."

"Because you want me to like you? To do something for you?" Nia asks, suspicious.

"Well, I would like you to like me, but also I know that life has been hard for you, and I want to help try to make it a little better, even if it is only for a while."

Nia looks down and thinks this over. "Okay."

Heather smiles and they head to a sandwich shop for lunch. After sandwiches and cream soda, something new to Nia, they went and got her some basic necessities of clothes: under clothes, some t-shirts, jeans, a few sweatshirts, and a nice jacket. They also got a new duffle bad for Nia's things, but she insisted on keeping the backpack she already had. Heather does insist though, on getting Nia some new shoes. While Nia loved her boots, she knew they wouldn't last her much longer. Especially if she and Logan were going to run. Heather gets Nia some new boots, similar to the ones she had, and a pair of tennis shoes. Once they get back, Nia finds that James had done something similar with Logan. Later that night, the two teens talked quietly in Nia's room.

"It feels like a trap." Logan says."Once we try to do something, they will guilt trip us with all this stuff they bought for us."

Nia nods a bit. "It does feel that way, but Heather... she seemed so... genuine."

"They seem nice, but most aren't." Logan says.

"I haven't ever gotten anyone this nice."

"Well yeah, everyone hates you because of your tics."

Nia's eyes grow wide as they fill with tears. Logan bites his lip. "Nia... I'm sorry... that was mean... I didn't ..."

Nia turns away. "Go away, I want to get ready for bed."

Logan hesitates, then goes out.

By the next morning, what Logan said still stung, but they were friends again. They spend the day helping James with yard work. Unlike her previous family, he was genuinely thankful, and that night they watched a movie as a family. Is that really how it felt? Yes. A family. After Heather and James had gone to bed, Logan sneaks into Nia's room.

"You ready to leave tomorrow night?"

She hesitates, then sits up straight. "I'm not leaving."

Logan is floored. "What? That's ridiculous. They seem nice right now, but you will see. They will be like everyone else within a week."

Nia shrugs. "Maybe. But I think you are wrong."

The next night, Logan comes into Nia's room at about two in the morning. "Nia... please come with me."

Nia wakes and sits, sighing. "Logan, I love you like you are my brother... but I think I love these people too."

"But I love you more than a sister..." he says softly. He leans in, trying to kiss her.

She pushes him away. "I don't love you like that. Stop trying to influence me to come." She is shaking and her tics pick up in a bad way. "Just leave... Okay?"

Logan hesitates, then turns and leaves. Nia curls up and cries.

Heather hears Nia crying and goes in. "Nia, what is wrong?"

Nia sniffles."Just... just a bad dream..." she lies.

Heather sighs. "What was it about?" se sits on the edge of the bed and rubs Nia's back.

Nia starts to cry harder. "You... you remind me of my Umama."

Heather smiles slightly. "Oh... Is that good or bad?"

"I... don't know."

Heather nods. "That's okay. It's hard to lose people we love so dearly. My dad passed away a few years ago... and even though I was an adult... it still hurts."

"Will it ever not hurt?"

"No, probably not. You will miss her forever I'm sure."

"Oh."

"But eventually, It's wont hurt quite as bad... you'll find ways to cope. I'm not here to replace your Umama, just to help you get the care you need until you are old enough to care for yourself. You've only got two years until the foster system kicks you out... I hope that you can know that we will be here for you... even if you aren't with us at that point."

Nia cries softly, grief and gratefulness filling her.

Heather gently rubs her back until she falls asleep.