Constance
Chapter 1
The New Arrival
Constance Parker was more than a little nervous as her airplane landed in New York City. It was the first time she had set foot on American soil in more than ten years. On top of that, she would be meeting her new guardian, Mae Parker. Only about a year ago, Connie's foster parents and her brother, Remy, had been killed in a house fire. Constance had been at a friend's house, avoiding the disaster by sheer coincidence. Since then, she had lived with a foster family, but had recently received a letter from her Aunt Mae, asking her if she would like to come to the United States and live with her. So here she was, soon to meet her aunt and her biological brother for the first time.
As she stepped off the plane, Constance tried to recall everything she knew about her brother. Mae Parker had sent picturers with almost every letter. Peter's uncle Ben had died about a year ago, and Peter was just starting college. As far as Constance knew, the fact that he had a sister would be a complete surprise to him.
"Constance!" a woman's voice rose above the noise of the crowd. The teenager scanned the airport and saw an elderly lady of about five feet waving her purse in the air. Her face, what Constance could see of it, matched the pictures to a tea. They rushed toward each other, as best they could in the sea of people, and wrapped each other in a warm embrace.
"It's so good to see you. How was your trip?"
"I enjoyed it very much," the seventeen year old answered in a strong French accent. "I spent most of the flight studying the photographs you sent. I'm still afraid I will forget someone's name or call them by the wrong one," Constance admitted, nervously flipping her dark brown hair behind her shoulder. The old woman laughed.
"You'll be excused. Come on, let's go get your things." They walked together through the airport to the baggage claim.
"You must be excited to meet your brother again. After all, you haven't seen each other since you were a baby."
"I certainly am. From what you've told me, he's an amazing person. Ah, there's my bag!" They left the airport in a taxi.
"When am I to learn how to drive?" Constance asked nervously.
"You probably won't need to. You can walk mostly anywhere in our neighborhood." Constance sighed in relief. They chatted a good deal on the way home, about school, France, and, of course, Peter. Constance was so nervous to meet him. Her eyes twitched every which way behind her red framed glasses as if she expected anything to happen.
"Relax," Mae laughed. "No one's going to mug the taxi." Under her laughter and hearty smile, Constance could sense that she feared the very same thing she had just assuredher would not happen. She suspected Mae had been much more paranoid ever since her husband's death, yet there was something deeper than that.
"We're here," Mae declared as the cab pulled over at a smallyellow colored house. Constance grabbed her bag and stepped outside, completely astounded by her surroundings. There were small bushes on either side of the steps leading to the door of the house. Mae was holding the door open for Constance, who smiled. She was finally home.
I know, it's a bit dull, bear with me. I had to get into it and now we're in. I have plans, it's just setting them in motion that proves difficult. Oh, yes, I do not own anything. Read and review and I'll post chapter two. And you'll know my timing, 'cause I'm so good at rhyming. Hey, I'm a poet and I didn't know it. Anyhow, you get the message: review.
MornieGalad