Xavier,
Well…I'm being sent to Las Vegas to stay with a family there while they check to see if you and your mom are fit for me to live with. I hate it. I hate moving again. Couldn't they find another house closer to here? But Evelyn says that it's Las Vegas or a "multiple housing facility". Bleh. Just a fancy word for ORPHANAGE.
If you were here right now, I know what you'd say. You'd tell me to do what Evelyn tells me and to not fight, because in the end she's just trying to help. Well…I did just that. I knew that I could yell and shout and deny everything…but it wouldn't do any good.
I bite my lip and a tear splashes onto the page.
I'm just writing this to say that I'm fine and that I'll call you as soon as possible. I love you and I'm going to miss you like crazy. I know that you guys will be clean and they'll let me stay with you. Tell your mom thanks for everything.
Carmen
I fold the letter in half and then again and hand it to Jupiter, who slides it into an envelope. I wonder why he has all of this in his pockets, but I don't say anything. I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Evelyn sticks her head out of her office. "It's all set," she says. "Simon will pick you up at Carol's tomorrow at eight o'clock. Be sure that everything's ready for then." I nod and she looks at Jupiter before looking back at me. "It's been nice working with you, and I hope that your friend is clean." She smiles but I can tell it's fake and forced. She disappears back into her office.