Georgie sat in the very back seat of the old mini van and cried. They weren't supposed to split her and Jeffy up. He had always promised they would always be in the same place. But, her case worker had told her that she was six and Jeffy was thirteen now, that meant that he needed to be placed in a home for teenagers. She had started losing track of how many homes she had been in. How many "moms and dads", "brothers and sisters", schools, friends she had been forced to say goodbye to.

This new couple seemed nice enough. "Hi Georgina," the woman had said softly. "Carrie told us you're a little sad today."

"I want to live with Jeffy!" Georgie sobbed.
"I know…" the man said, his hands in his pockets, "We've got the contact information for his new foster parents, we're going to arrange for you to see him every week." This only made Georgie cry harder. She didn't want to see him once a week. She wanted to live with him, she wanted his room to be just next door to hers.

"We have three other kids, our daughter, Jessie, is your age, she's so excited to meet you. I'm sure you two will get along great."

Georgie didn't understand why foster parents always thought the idea of them having kids her age was so comforting. She would leave after a few months and have to say goodbye. This was all temporary. It always was.

After a few weeks, Georgie had made some friends, including Jessie, despite her best efforts. She was seeing Jeffy weekly, just like Carol and Jim, her new foster parents had promised. She really did like this family, they were nice people. Her new teacher was nice, the town was fun, there was a lot to do. But, it didn't feel right, it didn't feel permanent, it never did, no matter how much she liked it.

Georgie ran away for the first time after a fight with Jessie. Georgie didn't want to share a doll she was playing with. "Fine!" Jessie had snapped, "You'll leave soon anyways and then I'll get to play with it all I want!" Georgie's heart crumbled. She threw the doll at Jessie and bolted out of the room, then through the house, and out the front door. She kept running, until her legs couldn't carry her anymore. She found a payphone, reached into her pocket and pulled out her leftover allowance. The first thing she had done when she got to her new house was started to memorize Jeffy's new phone number.
"Hello? This is the Jacobs."
"Hi Mrs. Jacobs," Georgie sniffled, "Is Jeffy there."

"Yes, I'll go get him!" Mrs. Jacobs was a very happy person, Jeffy was happy with the Jacobs, and Georgie was happy for him.
"Georgie?" Jeffy heard on the other line.
"Jeffy. I miss you!" She told Jeffy everything that had happened, including her running away.
"Georgie, are there any street signs near you? Tell me where you are."
"Umm, yeah, there's one that says Main and Pear."

"Okay, I'll tell the Jacobs and they'll tell Carol and Jim."
"Wait! Don't go Jeffy."

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to tell Suzanne, but I'm going to stay on the line."

He was quiet for a couple of minutes while he explained the situation.
"Why did she say that Jeffy? I thought we were friends!" Georgie wailed when Jeffy came back.
"I'm sure she didn't mean it. Kids are mean sometimes. Why did you run away kiddo?"

"Because Jeffy! It doesn't feel right. I like them just fine, but it doesn't feel permanent! I don't belong there! I know in a few months I'll never see that bedroom again. I feel like it's just a stop, and that I'm supposed to be somewhere else."

"Georgie? Is that you?" It was Carol. "Georgie! I was worried sick!"
"I've gotta go Jeffy. Carol is here. I love you."
"I love you too squirt. I'll see you on Friday."

**Six Years Later**

Georgie looked out over the ridge, she could just see Heartland off in the distance. Amy was next to her on Spartan. This was it. This was her permanent home, Heartland was where she belonged. Lou and Peter had told Georgie just the day before that they were going to adopt her. She had finally found her home. She always thought she would find her home when Jeffy turned eighteen and got custody of her, but she was wrong. Sure she missed him, but everything about Heartland felt right. She was finally home.