3
After dinner they all went to the living room and sat on the couches. Alex carried Beth because she was getting worn out.
“Well…I should probably take Beth home. She’s really tired.”
“No.” We heard her little voice mumble in Alex’s arms.
“Come on sweetie, we have to. It’s getting late and we don’t want to overstay our welcome.”
“Nonsense!” Diane said. “Um…I know this is weird and you just met us, but would you care to stay the night? I mean it’s Friday and Beth really doesn’t want to leave.”
I bit my lip, thinking. “Well…”
“You could call your mother, if that’d be a problem.”
That really wouldn’t at all. She was probably out getting drunk as we speak. “Um…no, I just feel bad.”
“Don’t! Please don’t and please stay!”
“Um…okay, but I don’t have any clothes.”
“We’re washing your clothes from today right now, they’ll be fine by morning. You can take a shower and borrow some sweats and a sweat shirt to sleep in.” She smiled.
“I guess.” I said finally giving in.
“Great! We have a guest bedroom that you and Beth can stay in. She’s already asleep, so I’ll go get that ready.”
We sat there for a little while then Diane came back down and told us to bring Beth up.
The bedroom was very warm. It had an extravagant floral bedspread and beautiful matching curtains that were covering a big window. The room had all the basic room necessities as well, like a dresser, mirror, nightstand with a lamp, and a bookshelf.
Alex laid Beth on the bed and tucked her in. “Thanks.” I whispered.
He smiled, nodded, and left.
Diane stayed a little longer. “Thank you.” She whispered and left.
I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I just laid down with Beth and lightly stroked her hair.
She stirred every once in a while, but stayed asleep. After a while I heard a very light knock on the door.
I got up and opened it.
Standing there was Cam.
“Can we talk?” he asked.
“Um…sure.”
I followed him out of the guest room, shutting the door softly, and following him to his room, I assumed.
“So, what did you want to talk about?” I asked.
“It’s about what my mom told you.” He said rubbing the back of his neck.
“Oh.” I said quietly. “I don’t want you to feel obligated to tell me, but I am curious.”
He sighed. “I don’t want you to have any skewed image. What did she say?”
“She just said you suffered.”
“Well…I imagine you’ve noticed that I’m a little different from my family, right?”
“Yes…”
“Well, obviously I’m adopted.”
My eyes widened. That came as a little shock, but I suppose I should have guessed. “Oh…well, I suppose that makes sense.”
YOU ARE READING
Imperfection
Teen Fiction"I have to be perfect. If I'm not, everyone will know." Annabelle loves her sister Beth more than anything. She'd do anything for her to have a normal life, that includes taking up the task of becoming her mother figure. Her mother is not around...
