Sara sat on her bed, waiting for Ms. Morrison to come and get her. She had said she just had to get some last minute papers. Sara waited, next to her suitcase, with Britney sitting next to her. Neither girl said a word, but they both knew that very shortly, they would have to say goodbye. Sara knew it wouldn't be forever, but she knew a lot was going to change. Britney realized this as well, so there was little that needed to be said.
Sara was feeling more and more queasy as time went by. She didn't know what the rest of her life would hold. She was moving in with people who were strangers to her. As she continued to wait for Ms. Morrison, she felt more and more like she was going to faint.
At exactly 2:47p.m. (Sara was checking her watch every minute), Ms. Morrison walked through the door. She didn't have to say anything, Sara knew it was time. There was a small part of her that wanted to cross her arms and refuse to go, but she knew Ms. Morrison was sad enough as it was. Sara had no desire to make this difficult for her social worker, no matter how much she wished she could stay.
Sara stood up and looked desperately at Britney. Britney got up and helped Sara drag her suitcase outside to the car, with Ms. Morrison following close behind. Ms. Morrison took the suitcase from the girls and opened up her trunk. Sara stared hard at Britney, as Ms. Morrison loaded her only suitcase into the car.
"Sara, do me a favor. At least try to be happy." Britney said with a tear in her eye. Sara felt like she would never be happy with this arrangement, but didn't want to tell this to her best friend.
"I'll try." Sara said quietly. Britney nodded.
"And you'd better visit me." She said.
"I will. Even if these people won't let me, I'll come anyway." Sara replied as she saw Ms. Morrison raise an eyebrow disapprovingly. Britney smiled.
"Good luck Sara." She said as she embraced her best friend. Sara never wanted to let go. She knew when she did, she would have to leave. She kept herself from crying as she pulled out of the hug and saw that Britney was crying.
"Oh Britney, don't cry. It's going to be okay." Sara said as her heart broke.
"I know. I'm just…I'm just going to miss you." Britney replied. Sara closed her eyes.
"I'm gonna miss you too, but we'll always be best friends." She explained. Britney nodded, signaling she knew this.
"Sara. I'm sorry, we have to go." Ms. Morrison spoke up quietly. Sara felt her stomach jolt, and she felt as though she were going to throw up. She hugged Britney tightly one more time.
"Bye." Sara whispered. Britney sniffled.
"Bye." Britney continued to cry as she watched her best friend get into the front seat of Ms. Morrison's car. Ms. Morrison gave Britney a hug.
"I'll be back soon okay? We can talk." She said. Britney nodded as Ms. Morrison got in the front seat. Sara stared out of the window and stared at her best friend until they had driven out the front gates.
Sara continued to stare out her window during the entire drive to Gerrard Street. Ms. Morrison kept her tears hidden as she kept looking over at the little girl who she had been responsible for the last several months.
"Sara, I had a lot of fun today. Thank you for asking me to come." Ms. Morrison said. Sara didn't turn, she only nodded.
"You're welcome." She said meekly.
"Listen Sara. Jesse and Becky Katsoppolus are very nice people who just want to show you love. Try to remember that okay honey? They aren't out to hurt you." Ms. Morrison said, knowing that whatever she wanted Sara to know, she had to tell her now, because there wouldn't be another chance. Sara sighed deeply, not believing this at all, but she nodded quickly. The rest of the ride was silent until they pulled into the driveway of 1882 Gerrard Street. Ms. Morrison noticed Sara was trembling as she stared up at the house. Ms. Morrison leaned over.
"Sara, you'll be fine. Just open up to them. Let them in. Always remember that I love you and you can always call me if you need to talk. I may no longer be your social worker anymore, but I'm still available for you." She said quietly. She was surprised when she saw, for the first time, a single tear roll down Sara's face. Ms. Morrison pulled her into a hug, not wanting to let go. She had grown so attached to this young girl and was sad to let her go, but was also hopeful that this was what Sara needed to open up and know that everybody was not out to get her.
Ms. Morrison got out of the car and pulled Sara's suitcase out of the trunk. Sara didn't move right away, which worried Ms. Morrison, but as she looked through Sara's window, Sara opened her door and got out of the car.
"Good girl." Ms. Morrison said as the two walked up the front steps and Ms. Morrison rang the doorbell. Sara felt so dizzy; she closed her eyes for a moment.
"Honey, are you okay?" Ms. Morrison asked worriedly as she felt Sara's forehead.
"I'm fine. I'm just a little sick." Sara replied. Just then, the front door opened and Jesse and Becky stood on the other side of the door.
Sara couldn't have felt worse.