So Long Ago
Ch.3- First Happiness; First Surprise
Saturday afternoon, Sara left on her bike to the address Ryan and Katie gave her. She didn't have that much saved up, so her mother lent her some cash to buy them each a present.
As Sara pulled into the given address, she noticed the mailbox read: Garcia's. Sara stopped, thinking that she had the wrong street or something.
"Sara!" Someone called from near the house. Sara looked up to see Katie coming out of the front yard gate. "Come on in, I was just feeding our dog."
Sara left her bike by the front door, and followed Katie inside. She led her through the foyer and living room before turning down a hallway. Sara looked at each door they past. One read 'Johnson,' another 'Akers' and finally 'Hammond.' Katie opened the 'Hammond' door and walked inside.
Sara went in and looked around. The walls were peach and two identical beds and dressers were placed around. There was also one desk and a small table with three chairs around it. Sara felt a twinge of jealousy as she saw there large, well furnished room. Her own was small and cramped.
One half of the walls were decorated with bug arrangements in thin glass. The other half had small posters of famous quotes, books, and such.
Ryan was sitting on one bed looking amused at Sara's face. Reading her mind, he explained,
"Katie and I were adopted by the Garcia's five years ago when our parents died in a car crash. They have been housing kids for a really long time. We were lucky to both be adopted by good parents."
Sara slowly nodded. She would have never guessed.
"So Sara," Katie started, "tell us about you."
Oh, geez, where do I start? She thought.
"Well, I've lived here my whole life and I have a brother, but he moved out a year ago. He went as far away as possible." 'Far away' was half a lie. They didn't really know where he moved, but Sara figured if he had any common sense, he would move far away.
"I found my best friend digging from the garbage. He's a black and white tabby cat named Willy. He has such a great personality. My parents used to own a Bed and Breakfast, but they couldn't get along enough to keep it together." Sara silenced for a short while, deciding who had more troubles.
"Kids! We're ready!" Called a voice from another part of the house.
"C'mon, you can meet everyone!" Katie exclaimed.
"They're in the kitchen," Ryan led Sara out of the room and to a large but still cramped kitchen. Gathered around a wooden table were two chubby adults, two teenagers older than Sara, and one young boy.
"Everyone, this is Sara Sidle." Ryan announced.
"These are the Garcia's." Katie gestured toward the adults.
"Hanna and Heather Johnson," Ryan pointed to the older teenager and the young boy.
"And Samantha Akers." Kate nodded toward the remaining teenager. When each ones turn came, they responded with a 'hello' or a 'how are you' or a 'we have heard so much about you.' Sara nodded and smiled. The large adjoined household looked happy enough.
"Ryan, Katie," Mrs. Garcia stated sweetly, "do you want presents or cake first?"
"Presents!" They both squealed like children do on their special day.
Sara had not been this happy for a while, even though it wasn't her celebration. The twins received a small TV set, clothing, and books. From Sara, Katie got a collection of Mark Twain classics and for Ryan a bug display. Both would soon be added to their already large collections.
After presents came the cake, a large wonderfully delicious cake made by Mr. Garcia who was a baker. They hung around the house for a while afterwards, but by 5:30, Sara decided she best head home. She thanked everyone for their hospitality and left the property into reality.
On the way home, Sara wondered how she could have such a wonderful time when all hope seemed almost lost within her own family. The Garcia's were a match made in heaven. They probably could not raise so many children if they weren't. How could so many different family's come together and be so happy, when her family, all related, could not? She certainly didn't think it was the Garcia's fault, Sara highly admired their wonderfulness, giving homes to kids.
Sara neared her neighborhood quickly, and heard sirens close by. She thought perhaps Ms. Hannibal, their 90 year old neighbor, had another heart attack.
Sara's neighborhood was a closed road; any car passing through had a purpose in the neighborhood. This included the mail truck, the delivery truck, people's cars, and emergency vehicles, which in this case, happened to be parked in front of the Sidle residence.
Okay, so I did these three chapters at one time to see if this story has any hope. Please tell me if I should continue. Thanks!