Letty stared out the window of the cluttered office. It had been an entire week, Letty was in the custody of Social Services. Usually she was staying at the community center in a restricted area for homeless children. It was uncomfortable, dark and miserable, children crying and saying they want their parents back. Overall a very depressing environment. But today she came into Mrs. Breech's office. Today someone enquired about adopting her.

She sat in the little dirty brown carpet chair, staring at the gray skies and wondering what Dom was doing right at that very second. That seemed to be all she could think about. Dom and if he was alright without his dad and her. Losing two people in one blow must be hell for him, Letty thought miserably. She'd been told the details of Tony's death. He'd cut the last corner a little wide and some bastard named Lindor clipped his bumper on the side. Sent him into the wall at 120. Letty was told Tony died instantly, on impact. Just thinking of him, made her want to cry. But she pushed it out of her mind as Mrs. Breech entered the room. She sat down in her squeaky chair and Letty heard two other people enter.

She turned slightly to see a middle age couple sit down across from Mrs. Breech. The man was tall with gray hair and huge glasses, and the woman was short with chopped off light blonde hair. They looked a bit nervous, looking around. Letty turned back to the window and pretended not to listen.

'Now, Mr and Mrs. McDonald, you want to adopt a sixteen year old? That's fairly odd these days. Usually couples prefer to adopt small children or infants.' Mrs. Breech droned as she stared down at a piece of paper.

'Well, as we said, we want to give shelter to someone who is old enough to be fairly independent. And we wanted some one particularly bright.' The man answered in a semi English accent. His wife nodded as Mrs. Breech shuffled her papers around.

'Well, Leticia is very independent and has been offered a spot at the prestigious Private prep school near your area. Holy Trinity I think.' She said in her raspy low voice, laying the papers in front of the couple. 'Though she has a record for fighting, I doubt she'll be doing that anymore.'

'Um, Mrs. Breech, if you don't mind me asking, how exactly did she end up here?' the woman asked in a small breathy voice. Mrs. Breech leaned forward.

'Her father was in a car accident. Her mother was seen as unfit to take care of her and was shortly after arrested for drug abuse and child abuse. She was lent to the custody of a racer named Anthony Torretto, who was killed just a week ago.' Mrs. Breech droned out. 'Perhaps you would like to meet her.'

Letty supposed they nodded at this.

'Leticia, would you come here please.' Breech said leaning back so that her chair squeaked again. Letty got up and walked toward Breech's desk, her head bowed slightly. Mrs. Breech suddenly stood up.

'Well I'll leave you three to get acquainted.' Letty turned to see Mrs. Breech get up and scoot over to the door with an arm full of paper work. She closed the door and the three remaining just stared at each other.

'So... Leticia... do you like baseball..?'

After about an hour, Letty learned that the couple were named Herb and Carla McDonald and they lived about ten blocks away from Letty's old home. They couldn't have children, though they always wanted one. Herb was a teacher at a school out in the west end, and Carla worked for a bank. They were nice enough, Letty thought, they wanted to give her all they could and in return they wanted her to strive for excellence. Kind of like those people who take pity on those less fortunate and do all they can to let them excel. It was a sweet deal. They lived in a huge house, had lots of money, said they'd leave her mostly to her own devices.

'Can I still see my old friends?' Letty asked quietly sitting across from the couple. Carla smiled.

'Of course dear. Mrs. Breech told us you especially might want to spend time with the family you were previously living with.' Carla said laying her hands neatly in her lap. 'The Torrettos I think.'

'Yes. Mia and Dominic.' Letty said, her voice hitching at Dom's name. Carla and Herb exchanged looks.

'Dominic. That's not a girl's name...' Herb said, smiling slightly. Letty tried half heartedly to smile back. How observant, she wanted to answer, but she decided not to.

'No. Dom's a guy.'

'Is he your boyfriend?' Carla asked, still smiling. Letty looked down and this time she did sort of smile.

'I don't really know. It's kind of complicated...' Letty said looking back up at them. Herb cleared his throat.

'Well I'm sure you can fill us in on the way home.' He said sitting up on the edge of the chair. 'That is, if you want to live with us. I'm sure it might seem odd, but I'm sure we can get to know each other better.' Letty saw them both beaming at her, both holding hands and Letty felt her heart lift a little. This was what she'd dreamed her family would be like. Together, in harmony, happy, loving, willing to allow space and yet still stay together. How could Letty refuse?

She merely nodded and a few moments later, Breech walked in with the necessary papers. After about a half an hour of signing documents, Letty left, carrying her bag of clothing and box of belongings behind the couple. They had offered to carry it, but when Letty said she'd prefer carrying it, they didn't pry.

They stopped in front of a blue Toyota MR2 Spyder. Letty's mouth nearly dropped to the ground. One very hot car. Usually she would joke that old people shouldn't be allowed to have cars that hot. But now, technically, it was her car too. Not a bad deal.

She climbed in the back as Herb stuck his key in the ignition and pull out of the parking space.

'So, do you have a nickname, Leticia?' Carla said, turning almost all the way around in her seat. Letty smiled.

'Letty.' Her smile faded. What did she call them? Sensing her uncertainty Carla patted Letty's leg.

'Call us Carla and Herb.' She said kindly. 'So, this Dominic, are we going to be seeing him around the house a lot?' Letty grinned. They seemed excited about having a daughter, even having a boyfriend they could chase away. It was sort of amusing.

'If you don't mind.' Letty said quietly. Carla waved her hand.

'Of course not dear!' she said turning to look at Herb. 'You can have your friends over any time.' Letty couldn't help but snuggle into the leather seating. This was more like a fairytale than anything else. A family who was perfect. A big house. Freedom. Dom. It was all too good to be true.

So Letty should have known things wouldn't last.

They pulled up in front of a very large, gray stone house. It was so close to the beach, Letty could smell the salt air. Letty couldn't help but gawk at it, as Carla and Herb climbed out of the car.

'Well, I guess we should welcome you home.' Herb said, folding the seat forward so Letty could get out. She smiled at him and grabbed her stuff, feeling like Cinderella more and more by the minute. They led her up the front steps and Herb fumbled with the keys, nervous by Letty's presence. They wanted to make a good impression on her, she supposed. Finally the door opened and Letty stepped inside. There was a large sweeping staircase to the left of the room. The whole house smelled of vanilla and roses. It was almost obsessively neat, which made Letty wonder if they were going to want her after a week, since she didn't really care how messy she was.

'Your room is up the stairs and to the left. I'm going to start making lunch. Are club sandwiches alright?' Carla said laying her purse on the front hall table. Letty nodded and proceeded up the stairs and finally she came to a stop in front of a blue door. It was odd because the rest of the hall was white. Letty took a deep breath and pushed it open.

She almost died when she saw the room. It was half a purply blue color and half a nice pale green. It clashed horribly, but Letty liked it. There were black and white photos all over one wall, and there was a bed in the right corner, with a white metal bed frame. There was a huge window by her bed with creamy curtains draped around it. Letty felt as though she should turn around and ask where her real room was. Instead she dropped her things on the floor and jumped on the bed. Oh yes. This was her room. It was warm and she could feel the warm breeze pushing in threw her window.

She sighed. Life was perfect.

She jumped up and grabbed the telephone on her side table and began dialing as quickly as she could. But there was no answer. I guess Mia and Dom still aren't home. She thought as she put the phone back down.

'Letty! Lunch!' Carla shouted from the kitchen. Letty grinned and jumped up and practically ran down to the kitchen. Carla smiled as she set three sandwiches in front of an empty seat. Herb was sitting, eating already, a paper in his left hand.

'So, like your room?' Herb said sitting back as he finished one of his sandwiches. Letty grinned widely.

'Yeah! It's great!' she said as she picked up one of the clubs. 'I was wondering... tomorrow can I go visit one of my friends? She kind of needs me right now, her father died...' Letty said before taking a bite. Carla smiled and sat down next to her.

'Perhaps on Saturday. I want to get to know you a bit better. And Thursday we have to start talking about enrolling you in Holy Trinity...' she said before neatly nibbling the edge of one of her clubs. Letty shrugged.

Oh well, she thought. They had taken her in, were already treating her like she was part of the family, the least she could do was go to the school they chose. Besides, it was a pretty good school. Maybe she could play up her bully attitude and reap the benefits. Besides, Carla an Herb said she could have her friends over anytime, and with a spread like this, she doubted they wouldn't take her up on the offer.

'Is it the Torrettos you want to visit?' Herb inquired as he wiped his hands. Letty nodded solmely. 'They live a fair piece. Why don't I give you a ride?'

'Thanks Herb.' Letty smiled as she wolfed down the last of her clubs. 'I think I'll try calling them again.' She got up and was about to take her plate when Carla shook her head.

'I'll get that dear, just go up and get settled.' She said waving for Letty to go ahead. Letty nodded and ran back upstairs to her new phone. She threw open the door and virtually dove onto her bed, grabbing the phone, dialing like a mad woman.

No one answered. Letty sighed and dropped the phone, lying on her bed. Then she heard a knock and saw Carla standing at the door.

'Can I come in?' she asked. Letty nodded and Carla sat on the edge of the bed. 'I know it must be strange for you. Living in a complete stranger's house, but I want you to know, that you can talk to me about anything.' She said putting a soft, cold hand on Letty's arm. Letty smiled and nodded.

'I know.' Carla smiled back. She then let out a little sigh.

'So, tell me everything.' She said, suddenly in a very excited tone. Letty couldn't help being reminded of a little girl, asking all sorts of curious questions. 'What's your favorite food? Television Program? Who's Dom? Who are all your friends? What do you do for fun?' she threw at Letty.

'Well, my favorite food is anything spicy. I can't stand fish!' she said smiling. Carla nodded.

'Right, no fish.' She said as if making a mental note. Letty grinned.

'And I usually hang around the market after school with my friends... or go hang out with Dom and Vince at Tony's garage...' she trailed off at the sound of Tony's name. He was gone. She actually forgot for a minute that he was gone. Carla seemed to notice this.

'So you like cars?' she said changing the topic. 'Herb is crazy about them. They were his hobby when he was younger. We have so many tools in the shed, I'm sure you could start your own garage. You could invite your friends... Vince and Dom?' she said offering a kind smile. Letty nodded.

'I'd like that.'

Carla and Letty talked well into the night. The next few days, Letty felt as though she were playing 20,000 questions. Every time she was around Carla, it was non stop question period. She didn't mind though. But she wished she could get a hold of Mia and Dom. She'd tried calling at least fifteen times a day, and still no answer.

On Friday she decided to call them after lunch, leaving Carla and Herb to sit at the table.

She waited and finally the phone clicked to signal someone had picked it up.

'H-hello?' Mia's voice answered, evidently she was crying.

'Mia?' Letty said unsure of how to talk her down. She heard a small sob and then a lot of sniffling. 'Mia, are you okay?' Letty thought maybe she would have calmed down a bit after a week. But then again, it had taken Letty almost three weeks to come out of her room.

'God, Letty!' she said in a wavering voice. 'I-I tried to call you, at the - the community center... but they said you were - gone -' she stuttered out, gulping for air.

'Shhhh... Mi, I'm fine, I was adopted a few days ago...' Letty said, her smile wide. 'Who's there with you?'

'V-Vince and Nikki...' she stuttered out, sniffling slightly.

'Listen, I want to come visit you and Dom tomorrow!' As soon as she said Dom's name, Mia let out a wail and began sobbing into the phone again. Letty frowned. 'Hey Mia, it's okay, don't cry... what's wrong?...' Letty heard Mia collect herself on the other end of the line.

'He's - gone - ' she choked out. Letty sat up, staring at the ground as if she'd misheard.

'What?' she asked in a breathy voice. Mia sobbed again.

'HE'S GONE!' she cried. 'The cops took him away!' she continued to bawl on the phone, while Letty just sat on the end of the bed, too shocked to move or talk or cry or even scream. She just sat there, listening to Mia cry. Dom was gone?! How?! WHY!? Letty's head was buzzing with questions.

'I-I'll be right over Mia... just hold on...' Letty clicked her phone's off button and dropped it on the ground. She ran to the door and threw it open, almost fell down the stairs and dove for her sneakers.

'Letty, dear, what's wrong?' Carla asked shuffling into the front hall after hearing Letty stumble down the stairs.

'I have to go to the Torretto house... they took him away...' she babbled as she crammed her left sneaker on her foot. Carla bent down and put her hand on Letty's shoulder.

'Slow down...' she said quietly, 'Took who away?' Letty looked up at Carla, tears welling in her eyes.

'Dominic...' Letty said in a soft voice, before standing. 'I have to go.' Letty said, her voice wavering as the thought of Dom being taken away from her filled her head. She turned to the door and heard keys jangle.

'I'll drive you. It will be quicker.' Letty silently thanked god for her understanding and ran to the car, as Carla followed. Letty climbed into the passenger seat and gripped the armrest. She was starting to feel more and more uneasy by the minute and felt as though she might retch. Carla quickly pulled out of the drive and the car sped down road, wind whipping Letty's hair back. The whole ride she had to keep telling herself that things would be alright.

Finally, after fifteen minutes, Letty pointed to the white house in the middle of the street. Carla pulled over and Letty threw the door open and climbed out. Carla tapped her shoulder.

'Do you want me to wait?' she asked. She seemed so unsure of what to do. Letty stared at her for a few seconds.

'No... no I'll be fine...' Letty said shutting the door. Carla nodded and handed Letty a small piece of paper.

'That's our home phone number. Call when you want to be picked up.' Carla said, looking shaken, before pulling away from the house and speeding away again. Letty crammed the note into her pocket and ran up the front steps, and began banging on the door.

It opened to reveal a worn and depressed looking Vince. He grimaced and Letty swallowed hard. This was not good. She stepped into the house and peered around to see Mia lying across the couch, shaking as she smothered her sobs in her pillow. Vince motioned for Letty to follow him in the kitchen. She did and he leaned over the sink, his head bowed.

'What happened V?' she asked, trembling slightly, not ready for the answer she knew he would give. Vince took a deep breath and turned to face her.

'The cops took Dom.' He said, his voice dry and cracked. Letty could tell he was hurting. Dom had been friends with V since the third grade. Letty's mouth fell open a bit, her lip quivering.

'Why?!' she asked shaking, her eyes welling up again. 'Why did they take him?!' she asked a little more loudly. Vince stepped forward and pulled Letty into his arms, as she buried her face into his shoulder and began to cry softly. He rocked her and placed his cheek on her head.

'Dom saw Lindor... the guy who ran Tony into the wall...' Letty pulled away, just enough to look into Vince's eyes. 'He -he hit him with a torque wrench - ' Letty covered her hand with her mouth. 'and he kept hitting him...' Vince's voice trailed off as understanding dawned on Letty's face. 'They say the guy had to go in for emergency surgery... he won't ever race again...' Letty shook her head.

'Dom wouldn't... he wouldn't hurt anyone...' she said blinking rapidly, more tears spilling down her cheeks. 'He didn't...' Vince pulled her close again and started to rock her again as she continued her chant of disbelief. But one thing was certain.

Dominic was gone.