I
was sitting by the window, trying not to cry, all our stuff was being sold,
except of course for some of my things, my favorite clothes, my leotards,
tights, pointes … dolls, books, notepaper, silver framed photographs, trinkets
and such. All this was fit into mother's big black leather trunk for me to
bring to the orphanage, or foster home I was to be sent to. Why couldn't I just
stay at Jake's family's house?
Flooding
myself with these questions will not work though, just have to sit and watch as
my home gets taken away. I wish I were eighteen.
Footsteps
behind me, Jake, "Hullo Emma …" he said in a softer-than-always voice. I didn't
answer, didn't feel like answering, probably never would again. Except when I
danced maybe … Jake spoke up again, "Could you come with me? I—I want to show
you something, it might make you feel better," I looked behind me; he held his
hand out to me. I got up and went with him.
We
walked in silence for a time, I held my arms up against myself, should of
brought a jacket, "Where are you taking me?" I asked. He didn't answer. Hate it
when people don't answer, I would have said something, but I didn't feel like
it. Crunch, gravel made clomping little noises underneath our feet, it wasn't
unpleasant, rhythmic; it'd stay the same. I liked that. Jake was walking faster
now and we were on a little trail I hadn't traveled before. "Wait," I said, he
was now much to fast, he simply grabbed my cold hand and went even faster. Oh I
wish he would speak!
Then
there we were even under the grey sky, a garden, a lovely little circle where
tiny wildflowers grew, and a small puddle-pond stood, though another person
might say it was homely and much to small, to me it was the most beautiful garden
ever! "It's lovely!" I said giving him a peck on the cheek, the first one I
dared, but to do this was wonderful, and crush or not, a kiss was in line! His
ears turned red, and I couldn't tell if it meant embarrassment or biting cold …
"I
thought you'd like it, I found it a few weeks ago," my face fell; he found it
for his girlfriend. For some reason though, he seemed to read my mind, "I broke
up with her …" Oh happy day! Another brightening! They broke up!! I could have
kissed him again, but of course I didn't.
"Why
did you bring me here though?" I asked, and then he looked into my eyes,
deeply, his green eyes turning me to mush on the spot. I closed my eyes, then I
felt it, a soft little nothing kiss. No fireworks. Just a soft kiss. Then
again, he kissed me again longer, my arms went around him, this was a firework
kiss! But then, like he was realizing I was me, he stopped and stepped back. We
said nothing, and abruptly I just started to cry, for this was goodbye! Soon I
would leave. He hugged me tight and we stayed that way for a while, then we
headed back.
***
It was ten o'clock in the morning when I left for the foster home I was to go to, some social service workers wanted to take me, but Delilah insisted, and for that I was thankful. I rode in the back with Jake. The hole long way we were silent, even the radio was off. After awhile the houses started to grow farther and farther apart, and I began to wonder why the foster home would be so secluded. Hours and hours, the road turned to dirt. Then we came to it, and oh! It was magnificent! A tall white mansion probably with dozens of rooms! We parked in front of it, and got out, no one was greeting us … it seemed oddly eerie too.
We
went to the door and clicked the knocker (a knocker!) "Come in!" a distant
voice yelled. We did so. An annoyed looking woman stood in front of us, I
couldn't help but wonder if this really was a foster mother, for she was
covered in rich jewels, hundreds of rings, and an an elaborate dress that
looked as if it belonged in some other time period.
"I'm
Mary Lewis, the mistress of Lewis Manor, I presume you are Emma, I don't think
anything else is needed to be said, so I will show you to your room, you will
share with one other girl," her abruptness surprised me! No tour, no nothing!
Just this! Was this the correct place? I thought.
"Well
I guess this is goodbye," Delilah said after a pregnant pause "be good, we'll
visit you!" she said, embracing me. It felt good, like I had a mother again, I
embraced her back heartily, because from the looks of Mary Lewis, there wasn't
gonna be much more of this.
I
looked at Jake, he hugged me too, "Goodbye Emma," he whispered, though he
wasn't tearful, his voice was sad. Pulling away he gave me a crumpled note.
Mrs. Lewis looked at Delilah scornfully, as if to say "be gone!" I almost
laughed at the picture that planted in my mind.
They
left, throwing me last sorrowful glances, Oh at that moment I hated this woman!
What right did she have to throw them out?! I could of said it to, but those eyes
told me to keep my big mouth shut. Instead I looked at the note
Dear
Emma,
I'm
not much of a poet, but I thought I'd right you this …
I
loved you a little yesterday
Love
you more and more today
So
I give a garden bright to thee
I
say I love you now sincerely
Now
that I will be gone away
I
wish forever that you could stay
I
tell you to think of our garden for goodbye
A
little garden in which you cried
In
my arms you I'll remember
And
I'll still love you past September
I'm
sorry, it was bad, I just had to tell you soon.
Write
me letters,
Jake
To be
continued ….