Troubled Child

Language

Riley came back into the room with a picture frame in her still shaking hands. "Here it is." She sniffed. "I keep it in my room with my most precious family photos." She said when she sat back down at the table with the girls.

"Here what is, Aunt Riley?" Holly asked looking up from the locket to the picture frame in Riley's hand.

Riley smiled up at Holly and Emily. "A picture of some people that might look a little familiar to you." She said handing the picture frame to Emily.

Emily took it with a curious smile on her face, then she sighed. "I don't know anyone in this picture, but they look so happy. It's a nice wedding photo, Miss Matthews, but no one looks familiar to me." She was about to hand the frame back, but Holly took it out of her hands. "Hey!"

"Holy Butter beans!" Holly gasped.

Emily gave her a weird look. "Butter- beans?" She laughed. "What the hell?"

"Language, little miss." Riley lectured.

"We don't swear, well we try not to." Holly shrugged. "Sometimes my Dad and Uncle Lucas let a few cuss words slip out when they are upset or when they are watching dumb sports."

"But butter beans is your replacement swear word?" Emily laughed.

"I have quite a few substitute swear words." Holly chuckled. "But look at this!" She flipped the pictures over so Emily could see them better. "It's her."

"What?" Emily gasped. "Holy sh-"

"Language!" Riley quickly covered Emily's mouth with her hand.

Emily slightly blushed as Riley pulled her hand away. "I'm sorry Miss Matthews, but those are the people in my locket! That lady and- the the girl!"

Riley smiled. "I know. Not only did I recognize the people in the picture, but I remember the day that picture was taken." She wiped away another tear. "My best friend, Maya, turned 14 and we thought that her mom had forgotten her birthday, but it turns out her mom was just working extra shifts to buy her that locket."

"Wow. That was really nice of her." Emily frowned. "Must be nice to have someone remember your birthday and get you something." She sighed.

"You've never celebrated your birthday?!" Holly gasped loudly.

Emily shrugged. "Foster homes don't really care about your birthday, they just care about getting their checks."

Holly gaped at her. "Well, then we'll celebrate your birthday! We'll have a party!" She yelled throwing her arm up in the air. "Uh, wait a minute, when is your birthday anyway?"

"That's nice, Holls, but my birthday was two months ago. I'm already 13."

Holly frowned for a minute, but then she smiled again. "Well, next year for your birthday, your 14th birthday, we are gonna throw you a huge party!"

Emily chuckled. "Thanks, but I'm probably gonna be bounced soon."

Riley frowned in confusion. "Bounced? What does that mean?"

"Ya know, bounced, from one home to the next when-" Emily pouted. "When the people in the home just don't want you around anymore." She shrugged.

Riley gasped. "That's horrible."

"Eh, I'm used to it." Emily sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Holls, I'm gonna head out. I need some air." She stood and walked out to the front door.

Holly and Riley watched her leave with frowns on their faces.

"Excuse me, Aunt Riley." Holly said standing up. "My friend needs me."

Riley gave her a small smile. "I know. Go ahead, sweetie." She watched Holly run out and sighed looking down at the picture in her hands.