Chapter one
Stef
I still couldn't believe we were doing this. This is ridiculous. I really don't have anyone else to blame but myself though, Lena gave me an out when bill asked but I just couldn't say no. I know we will not do this if the kids don't want to but I already know their answer and I haven't even talked to them. They know what it's like and with Brandon moved out I think they will be happy about it but probably nervous. As they feed into the living room I prepare myself but Callie ends up talking first.
"What did we do?" She asks in a manner I'm not totally comfortable with.
I stare her straight in the eyes and say, "I haven't noticed anything, should I have?"
Her face becomes bright red at the statement but I decide to move on, we have more important discussions to have.
I stand tall in front of the kids hoping that I will be right about their response. I decide just to rip the bandage off.
"Bill came to use the other day about two kids he needs a foster home for, a brother and sister, the boy 13 and the girl 15."
I hold my breath as the kids start to process the aspect of having more people in the house. Out of no where Jude speaks up.
"Cool, can the boy sleep in our room," he says as he looks to Jesus.
I let out my breath as all my anxiety leaves my body, till it returns because I haven't told them about the kids problems, mostly the girls.
"Before we agree to foster them Lena and I have to share some stuff about them that may influence your decision" I say, looking for Lena's support.
I then look at the kids, all of their faces in different stages of curiosity. Lena then takes over talking.
"Both of the kids are religious," She says.
"So they don't like that your gay?" Jesus asks.
I crack a smile at the boys concern for us.
"No, they are Jewish, that means that they celebrate different holidays then us and may have different ways of living." I say, not really knowing, bill never went into detail.
"Also," Lena state, "The girl has some problems with ADHD and dyslexia that have never properly been addressed so if we do foster the kids Mom and I will be spending a lot of time on her, are you all ok with that?" Lena asks.
There is a long silence as the siblings seem to have a silent conversation with each other then Jesus speaks up
"Yes," he says and everyone else shakes their head like there isn't even a question.
I look to Lena and she smiles, I guess I have a call to make.
/
The girl
I can't believe we are doing this again but at the same time how can I not. I have slept in 7 different beds this year, and that's not including that one house that didn't have beds for us to sleep on. This is the 8th time this year my brother and I are throwing our things into our trash bag as fast as we can so our case worker doesn't get mad.
Bill was actually pretty nice when he was first given our case but like so many people in our life's we just make his life harder. It's not like we try to have to get moved every couple of months but if a kid is missing from school for weeks or shows up to school with black eyes someone is going to notice unless they don't and that really sucks for my brother and I.
As I look around the room to make sure I'm not forgetting anything I hear bill yell for us. I give my brother a smile, pick up his bag for him, and start walking towards the door, thinking good riddance to this house and worrying about the next one.
We drive for a long time making minimal conversation with bill but he doesn't seem to mind, he just keeps talking about how much better this house will be. Ya sure I think, that's what you said about the last one.
As we turn into what must be the drive way I look up at the house releasing it looked lived in with the basketball hoop in the ally and the big backyard. I have never lived in a house like this but I know not to hold my breath, good things never last.
/
Stef
The kids and I are preparing dinner when the bell rings. The kids are setting the table with two extra seats and Lena and I are cooking pork chops when everyone freezes in anticipation as Lena and I go to answer the door. I turn the stove down and slowly walk hand in hand with Lena as I motion for the kids to stay back. Together Lena and I take a deep breath and I swing open the door to a sight I wasn't quite expecting.