I was scrolling Facebook, nothing very interesting. My stomach growled and I wondered how much longer mom would be. I tried not to think about the hot delicious pizza I was missing. There was a loud knock on the front door, that was strange; Mom brought her keys with her. I ran downstairs and opened the door, Shock, my chest tightened. My breathing became rapid and shallow. A police officer looked at me with sadness and pity. I knew what had happened, a hot tear threatened to spill my over my lids.
The next few hours blurred by, I packed a bag of clothes and was whisked away. Next thing I knew, I was sitting on a bench in child services. I was still starving, having not had food since lunch. A kind woman in a knit sweater gave me a ham sandwich and showed me to a small room. It had a table and three chairs; I sat in one and waited for my foster parents to show. My father lived in South Carolina and wouldn't be here until morning. I would be staying with Randy and Martha Levin for the night. As the door opened I looked up to see a slim woman with warm eyes and a tall lanky man enter. The social worker introduced us but I didn't hear much. She took my hand and placed it in Martha's, she had a soft grip and she led me to the car. I was so tired I could barely stand up.
I climbed into the backseat and zoned out. "Victoria? Honey?" A soft hand rubbed my shoulder. I jerked up, unaware I had fallen asleep. "Sweetheart we're here. " I looked up and Martha was looking at me, sympathetic. I didn't speak; I just climbed past her out of the car and followed them into the house. They showed me to a room at the back of the house. It was much too pink, it hurt my eyes. The two adults left the room and closed the door. I sat down on the bed; there was no emotion inside of me. My mom wasn't dead; she was back at home just sitting on the couch. She wasn't gone.
I awoke with a start, in full clothing. I must have fallen asleep. My phone was still in my bag; I rolled off the bed and grabbed it to check the time. 8:00 am, zipping open my backpack I grabbed some clothes and changed quickly. Downstairs the Levin's were eating breakfast. They waved me over to a seat and we ate in silence. When my stomach was full and the food was gone, I carried my bag out to the car and we drove to the child services, the Levin's left me with the woman in the sweater. She led me to the same small room where a man with brown hair and eyes sat in a chair wringing his hands.