Things happen for a reason. I think maybe God was punishing me for being nice to the new kid, I mean Chad. Two weeks had gone by and Chad still refused to take a hint. The Johnsons didn't disown me like Analina had hoped. If anything, Mr. Ralph called home and gave my parents a warning that if Analina acted out in class like she did, she would not be able to participate in the upcoming choir concert. Analina did not like that all.
"But mom! Taylor took my part in the choir. She's going to make the whole school look bad."
Grace, my adopted mom, looked over at me. "You're the lead singer this time Taylor?" Grace gave me a wide smile.
"I tried to tell Mr. Ralph to give the part back to Analina but he wouldn't. I'm sorry, I can always not go. I probably will make the whole school look bad."
Grace walked over to me. She told me to take a seat. "Analina, go to your room. We're going to discuss your grounding when your father gets in."
"But mom!"
"No buts young lady, Upstairs to your room now."
Analina gave off a war cry and stomped off to her room. The whole house shook as Analina took boisterous steps. When her door slammed, Grace and I jumped. I didn't meet Grace's eyes. This is usually how it always happened. The parent would often send the child to their room. They would sit me down and tell me that I was a great kid; I was the best foster child that they ever had. Then they would proceed to tell me that I couldn't continue to live there. It wasn't me, it was them. Then Amanda would pick me up the next morning and I would be back at the wayward house for girls. I would transfer back to being home schooled, then when I got adopted again I would be changing schools again.
"Taylor? Can you come in and give me a hand in the kitchen?"
I dragged my feet to the kitchen. I had almost made it to 18, I was almost an adult. If I wouldn't have messed up today I might have been able to get my own things in line. I walked into the kitchen and Grace was peeling potatoes. When I crossed the threshold, Grace turned around and held out the potato peeler to me. I grabbed it and grabbed a potato and began to peel.
"Taylor, you know I'm sorry."
I took a deep breath and continued to peel the potato. "Don't be. I know how this goes, Analina is right. I've disrupted this family. It's been really great living here. I don't know how to ever repay either of you and Mr. Johnson."
Grace turned around with a puzzled look on her face. "Taylor?"
"No, no, Mrs. Johnson I cause rifts in your family so I understand. I know that Amanda will be here early tomorrow before you both go to work." I gave Grace a sad smile.
Grace turned back around and began to laugh. I blinked. Grace continued to laugh, and laugh. Grace put down her knife and lead me into the living room. She sat us both down and then wrapped her arms around me.
"Sweetheart, we aren't giving you back."
My head perked up. "You aren't?"
Grace shook her head and hugged me close to her. "Sweetheart, is that why you were in your room when I came home?"
I nodded my head.
"Taylor, just because Ana didn't get her way doesn't mean that we were going to send you back. Analina is a spoiled child that I have to take the blame for. When I found out I was pregnant I immediately knew it was going to be a girl. I kept the doctor from telling me what the sex of the baby was, so when Brock was born Jessie and I were…Surprised."
"We bought everything for a girl. The clothes, the bedding, the toys and we even painted the room sparkling pink. So I was a little disappointed. So Jessie and I continued to try for a girl. The doctors told me I couldn't have any more kids. So when I ended up pregnant and found out it was girl, I was beyond ecstatic. So when Analina was growing up, I gave her everything a girl should have. So, Analina has become a little spoiled."
I just stayed limp in Grace's arms. "I know Analina hasn't been the greatest person to you Taylor, that's why I wanted to tell you that you have to give her a run for her money. Making Analina jealous isn't going to get you sent back. Virtually nothing will. Jessie and I made you that promise when we adopted you Taylor."
I nodded my head. Of course they made me the promise to keep me until I turned 18, but who would believe someone who had already spun me those lies? Grace picked my chin up and I forced a bright smile on my face. Grace hugged me again and told me everything was fine. Then she took me back into the kitchen and we finished up dinner.
That night I tossed and turned. My dreams blurred into one and I couldn't stand to try and fake asleep any longer. I slowly sat up in my bed and rubbed my hands over my face. I remembered why I fell asleep on the couch this morning. Because I could actually get some sleep. Pulling the covers back I climbed out of bed. I began to grab up my pillows. Just as I was grabbing up my blanket, my door creaked open. I spun around, ready to fight off whatever it was when I saw a small figure walking into my room. I turned on my lamp. It was Nadine.
"Sissy?"
I sat down on my knees and held my arms open to Nadine. She walked into them, and tears were kissing her cheeks.
"What's wrong Dino?"
"I had a bad dream. I think there's a monster in my room."
I cuddled Nadine close and kissed the top of her head. "Let's go back and see okay?" I held out my hand to her.
Nadine gave me a sad smile and grabbed my outstretched hand. "Okay."
I turned out the light, and Nadine and I padded over to her room. Closing the door behind us, I quickly flipped on her light and Nadine scampered over to her bed. She grabbed her stuffed unicorn and sat in the dead center of her bed. I walked over to her closet, and pretended to be afraid of the monster. I quickly opened her door, and turned on the light. No monster. I closed the door and walked over to her bed. I quickly dropped down to the floor and looked under the bed. No monster there either. I stood back up.
"I didn't see any monsters Dino."
"That's because you scared them off."
I smiled at Dino, and pulled her covers back. "Time to go back to bed."
Nadine climbed under her covers and I kissed her forehead. I began to walk over to her light switch and flipped it off. Nadine called out my name.
"Taylor! Don't leave please. I'm scared. Can I sleep with you in your bed?"
I turned around in the darkness. "Nadine, you know you're supposed to sleep in your own bed."
"I know, but I'm scared Taylor. Can you sleep with me in my bed tonight? I won't tell mommy or daddy. Just for tonight. Please?"
If the lights had been on, Nadine would have given me the look that she knew I couldn't resist. I sighed. "How about if I stay with you until you fall asleep?"
"Okay."
I walked back over to Nadine's bed. She scooted over and I climbed into her bed. Nadine tucked herself into my side. I stroked her eyebrows, and I could tell her was close to sleep.
Nadine's breath started to become heavy, so I kissed the top of her head. "Night Dino."
Trying to get up, I realized that I couldn't. Nadine had tightly grabbed my shirt in her fists. I wasn't going anywhere. I sighed again, and turned slightly. It was 2' o clock in the morning. I had to be up in four hours. Tonight was going to be a long night. I snuggled back up next to Nadine and focused my attention on the wall. I could feel my eyelids getting heavy; I couldn't help but close my eyes for a moment. Next thing I knew I saw Chad behind my closed eyelids.
Hi there everybody. I suppose there is someone that enjoyed this story, and that reviewer got their wish. I hope to try and update this more. If you're a fan of Dirty Truth, you should go check it out. I've changed up some of the chapters so it's more of a read instead of a grammar headache. It's still a slight headache but at least you can follow the story more. Happy Reading!
