Mike didn't exactly get what he wanted that he would go to the hospital and pick up Sofia before Soo-Min came here. In fact, it ended up being Sarah from the social services collecting them both and they came to Ashdene Ridge at the same time.
I was in my and Tee's room at the moment they arrived and only heard some voices. Then what must have been Mike, Sarah and the two new girls went into the office. I put my sketch pad to the side and then walked downstairs, where there seemed to be a small gathering of people who had wanted to see the new girls.
"Guys." I tried while I was still on my way down the stairs. "Sofia and Soo-Min won't need an audience the first thing they do when they come out from the office. Let's at least move into the lounge and they can come in their own time, yeah?"
"Kenny's right." As on a given signal, when none of the kids moved at what I said Trenton came down the hallway. "Come on…" He waved towards the living room. "Come on. How would it feel to you if you were new at this place and… well. Just get away will you?" At last, Trenton grabbed Floss by the shoulders and led her into the living room. "Am I going to have to lead all of you or will you come by your own free will?"
"I'll go on my own." That was Michael. "And I think you others should come too."
"Ugh." At last Kim, who had stood a bit away from the others moaned and stomped after Trenton, Floss and Michael. Then when I had frozen and looked sternly to the others they turned one after one and went into the living room.
"Great job Ken." Trenton whispered to me when at last, I and him walked into the living room. "I didn't think anyone would listen to us. But you're right. And this will be nicer on the new girls."
As on a given signal, just as I and Trenton stepped through the doors to the living room. We heard the door to the office open behind us, then Sarah leaving the house. And several pairs of feet down the hallway before Mike, May-Li, and the two new girls came into the living room.
"Well…" Mike came into the lounge with one girl on each side. One was Asian with glasses, and the other one a good bit smaller than the first, with blonde hair and pale- almost blue skin. "This is Soo-Min and Sofia who you all knew were arriving. Yes pumpkin?" He leaned down to get to the level of Soo-Min who was trying to catch his attention.
"Most people calls me Minnie."
"Well then…" Mike started over and raised again. "This is Minnie. As of now we don't have any spare rooms so Sofia, you'll be sharing room with a girl named Carmen and Minnie. You will be sharing with another girl named Floss."
Floss's reaction didn't let wait for it. And we all knew here strong-willed self.
"MIKE. I already told you I don't want to share my room." Mike sighed and rolled his eyes- he had expected this! "I don't want to. It's my room. And I want it to myself."
"I know you don't Floss. But as it is now we don't have enough rooms and someone will have to share. And you and Minnie are about the same age. Why can't you try and make friends yeah? Minnie…" Mike put his shoulder on each of the young girls' shoulders. "This is Floss who you will be sharing a room with."
If glares could kill there wouldn't have been much of poor Minnie at that moment.
"Don't be like that Floss." Mike said sternly. "I'm sure you'll make great friends if you just give her a chance. And…" He turned back to everybody. "The good news are…" Mike looked around as if he had a great, big secret. "…Is that all the ones who now share and everybody who wants to will get to rearrange their rooms." He waited for a second as if he expected to get a round of applause. "Oh come on kids, can't you just be a little bit happy? So. Who wants to get their room fixed?"
"I don't mind the way our room look." Xavier said. "Do you Trenton?" He looked up on his roommate who just shook his head. Trenton never said much but he was being awfully quiet today. "I like the way it looks those starts are glowing when it's dark and it almost seems like you stepped right into the night skies. Don't you?"
"Yeah." Trenton replied finally. "I don't mind. So don't worry about our room Mike."
"I'd like my room to stay the same too."
"So that's Trenton and Xavier's room and Mo's room that we should do nothing with. Anybody else?" Mike glanced around him. "No? Well, you three and everybody else too. If you've got something you don't want any longer put it in the hallway. I will go and get some boxes and you guys just get started. This is how we're going to do it. This week. In the afternoons, after school. You'll pack your things- books, stuffed animals. Anything like that in boxes and write your name on the boxes you would like to keep. The pieces of furniture we'll cover up while we're painting or putting on wallpaper but if there's something you don't want- anything, including furniture and all kinds of belongings, you put it out in the hallway. That way what you don't want somebody else might. Just be careful so you don't put anything in the hallway that you want to keep but just keep those things in your room and write your names on the boxes." Mike moaned slightly. "Well, that's it then. Carmen and Floss. Why don't you show Sofia and Minnie… Well." Floss stomped away. "I know I can trust you Carmen. I need to do some paper work in the office now."
"Mike." I followed and came after him before he had the time to disappear or start with something else. "I might be only paranoid. But I don't think that smelling stuff like paint or the glue for wallpaper or stuff like that is good when I'm pregnant. I think it could harm the baby."
"Oh crap." Mike hit his palm towards his forehead. "I didn't remember that… Well… What we could do is we could make sure we get everything finished so we can spend one or two days only with the painting and then you can stay somewhere else during that time. But where you could go I'm not so sure. And I need to talk about this with the social services."
"But maybe when you are all doing this… Maybe I can stay at Johnny's?" Mike only glared at me. "No? Well I'm already pregnant. What's the worst that could happen? Please Mike, I'm sure it's okay with Johnny too. Please? The social services already know him."
"No Kenny." Mike smiled but it was a bit sadly. "You know the social services don't even let girls and boys share room at a place like this so you know that won't happen." I gave a deep sigh. "I can check with Faith though. But it will only be for one night, we'll make sure to have everything finished as soon as possible so you can come back."
"That sounds good." I tried to hide my disappointment over not getting to go to Johnny's and spend some time with him. "It would be nice seeing her again soon." Without another word, as I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to hide my disappointment and turned in the first corner there was. Without much intention of where I would actually go.
"Hey." At last I came into the kitchen- which now, were spending its last few days when it wasn't stuff anywhere and everywhere. And there was Trenton. "What a day huh? And Tren…" I suddenly noticed the way Trenton was sitting. He'd always be up and cleaning off the counter or doing some leftover dishes or something. Now he just sat by the table and stared down onto his marmite sandwich without even eating. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Trenton. I'm your best friend. I can tell when there's something wrong…" Without grabbing something to eat I went and sat down next to him. "What's wrong?" Trenton seemed on the verge to tears. "But Trenton… Talk to me. What is wrong?"
"It's nothing."
"It's not nothing." A tear rolled down his cheek slowly and he annoyingly wiped it away. "What's going on? Is there something I can help you with?"
"No Kenny." Trenton cleared his throat. "I don't want to worry you. It's just… There are loads of kids here right now. It's not a problem to me of course. But if there wasn't… If there wasn't then… When you're sixteen you're out of the social services' system. I'm fifteen now. When I turn sixteen in May I'm going to have to move out. If there weren't so many here I could probably start a bit slow, closer to my birthday. But I can't put more pressure on Mike then what he already has. So when my birthday is over… in four months. I'm going to have to get out of here. As soon as possible."
Yep. I could see what he was down about.
"Mike wouldn't make you do anything." I assured him, but I could see his point. "And four months is a long time. But… You never know what happens in the morning and suddenly you are right there. With the solution to all of your worries right under your nose. And… I don't remember the exact words. But there is some Chinese saying that ninety percent of what we worry for will happen will never happen… and I think that is correct."
"I appreciate you trying to cheer me up Ken." Trenton slumped down into the chair next to me. "But I'm not sure about this. I just don't know where I'm going to end up."
"Well." I tried to make my voice sound steadier and more comforting. But honestly I was kind of worried for him too. "What we do know is that whatever happens- you have got a friend in me. You have got a friend in Mike. And in May-Li. And in Johnny and on and on and on. And no matter what happens we won't let anything happen to you. So keep that in mind. That is what's most important. Okay?" Trenton nodded and smiled gratefully. "And I… I don't really know where it comes from… But being back here and everything. I just have a feeling that no matter what will happen it's going to end up… well… going to end up where it should be. Do you get what I mean?"
Trenton didn't answer verbally, but I could still spot he was fighting the tears away so for a few seconds he was only there. Then he slightly nodded.
"Yeah I get it. Thanks Ken."
"Oh darn it…" Mike came into the kitchen and mumbled to himself before he'd seen I and Trenton were right behind him. "One kid left in the cold outside the social services and constantly looks like she's still freezing. One kid…" He silent for a second. "Who's so afraid she's… I just don't know. If I don't find another care worker soon then I and May-Li will be run-down within days. But who wants to work at a place with this many… whoa." He turned and then so us.
"Gosh you scared me. Oh… ehm… don't mind what I just said. And don't spread what I said about the girls. Ehm… I'm sure I'm going to find a new care worker soon. And until then the both of you are doing a great job with helping out. I actually have an idea of somebody that might be up for the job and oh Kenny. I'm going to call the social services now and hear if you can stay at Faith's. And then call Faith and hear if it's okay with her of course. But I guess I'll call the social services first only to be sure and I'm sure it's fine with Faith. And then I need to have a talk with Floss and I need…" Still rambling to himself he seemed to have forgotten all about me and Trenton and walked out of the room again.
"I actually do feel sorry for him." Trenton said after what felt like ages when Mike was outside hearing range. "He cares for all of us like we were all his own children. He's great. But I'm kind of worried. He will really be run-out and have a heart attack if he doesn't find some help soon… And until then." Trenton stood up and grabbed the kitchen cloth from the edge of the sink. "We're just going to have to do what we can to help."
"I'm going upstairs to see if anyone needs help with their things. Whoa." When I turned suddenly Sofia was right by me, and I could see clearer than ever how pale her skin was and how her lips looked blue. "Hey. Is there anything I can help you with?" She shook her head slightly. "Are you hungry?" She shook her head again. "Are you just walking around trying to learn where things are in the house?" At last she nodded. "Well. I'm going to walk upstairs for a bit. If you want to learn this part of the house you can talk to Trenton?" I turned and saw Trenton bow politely.
"Hello my beautiful lady. My name is Trenton Joshua Strong and I'll be your guide here today. May I escort you to the laundry room?"
Yep. At least Sofia and Trenton were friends.
The same couldn't be said about Minnie and Floss.
"You've been here for five minutes. I hate you. This is my room and I am not sharing it." When I came down the hall the door to Minnie and Floss's room was wide open. "Here…" Floss held up one of her crayons and drew a line around Minnie's bed. "This is your part of the room. You may never ever leave it without permission." Floss stomped her foot. "Hey Kenny." She left the room, I looked down on the line she had made around the bed, then ignored, walked over to Minnie's bed and sat down next to her.
"Hello Minnie." I hesitated, what was I supposed to say anyway? "Floss isn't being nice. Of course this is your room too. I can help you talk to Mike… I'm Kenny by the way. I've lived here for a while. If you want to I can show you around."
Minnie looked up on me, she was smiling slightly but there was some feeling behind her eyes that I couldn't quite put my finger on what it meant.
"It's okay. I'm sure I and Floss will get along once we get to know each other. And… I… I like being alone too." She gave a deep sigh. "I'd like to be alone now too." I nodded, then stood up and left without another word. What was I supposed to say anyway?
"Kenny." Just as I came out into the hallway Mike was right by me. "Great news. I talked to the social services. And they say you can go to Faith while we do all that painting. And I… We can do that next weekend so you can go there then. Is that alright with you?" Without waiting for an answer he continued. "Great. We'll have all the colors and the wallpaper and glue and everything so we can start it at the exact same second you leave and… and I have to go."
When Mike ran down the hallway again I barely knew up from down. It seriously wouldn't have surprised me if Mike had had a heart attack right then. Or any time during the nearest week when he was running around the hallways. Crossing in between boxes with God knows how many millions of items. Answering thousands of questions and breaking up hundreds of fights.
I was seriously worried about him. And when I went to Faith's I wasn't sure if I was relieved to get away from it for two days or if I was worried that something might happen to Mike while I was away. And when we stood outside Faith's house Mike didn't exactly make it better.
"So don't you worry about what's going on back at the dumping ground while you're here. You only worry about you and your little guy and having as much fun with one of your best friend. And if you still want something you know our number. Don't come around because the whole house will stink of glue and wallpaper and color and you're not supposed to feel that and…
"HI FAITH." I shouted to interrupt Mike when Faith opened the door.
"Hi Kenny." Faith came right over to me and hugged me tightly. "Oh, it's so nice to meet you. I've been away a bit these past few weeks but I just came home and I'm so happy you are here. Hey Mike."
"Nice to meet you too." Mike smiled at the dark- skinned girl. "Well. I'll just leave you too then. I guess you're as old so you don't need a baby sitter? Am I right? I need to go back to the dumping ground. You girls have fun. Bye…" Mike ran down to the parking lot and into his car.
"He is constantly stressed out." I told Faith while I stepped over the threshold. "He is always like that. I'm kind of worried for him." Faith smiled slightly. "How are you?"
"I'm good. How are you?" The tension in between us was thick. "And… how is your… how is your baby?"
"Well." I never really knew how to answer these questions. "It is a boy. I call him Elijah. Because from when I was little I always knew that if I had a son his name would be Elijah Christopher. But the thing is…" I hesitated for a minute, once I had started talking it was just kind of hard to stop- and then I just couldn't hold it to myself anymore. "…I've known all along I'm giving him up for adoption. It will be the best for me and him and… Of course, the couple or family or person that does adopt him might hate that name so I just…" I leaned my head back against the wall. "Sorry I didn't mean to spill it all on you."
"You didn't… And don't be afraid to. Even if you would. I'm your friend and… friends help each other." I silent for a minute and ended up only looking into Faith's eyes for a second. "And by the way. I think Elijah is a beautiful name… Kenny? What is it? What is it you didn't tell me that's hurting you so bad?"
"It is just…" I hesitated. "It's just… you know these… One of these new girl's- Sofia. Well, I don't know the details or for sure. But I heard Mike say she was left out in the cold outside the social services. A few days ago I… eavesdropped." I hung my head in shame. "But enough about that. She has got some heart disease as well so she could just as well have gotten killed. She have got a pneumonia… well, had. But she ended up in hospital for way longer than should be okay for a kid her age. This other girl- Minnie. Well, Floss kind of bullies her. Because Floss is angry she doesn't get to have her own room and Floss is Floss. And Floss too have just been… broken by something. And something is weird with this Minnie too but I don't think it's just Floss or being at a new place. I just can't put my finger at it. And at the same time Trenton is frightened of having to move out after his birthday in May and…"
"Calm down Kenny." Faith interrupted. And not until then I realized I was talking faster and faster. "Don't get stressed up. Whatever happens to Trenton or Minnie or Floss or Sofia is not your fault? You don't have any responsibility for what they're doing or what's going to happen to them? Okay? And right now you do need to worry about you and your baby and don't stress."
"That's just what I mean." I took a deep breath and slowed down. "I've got the responsibility of what happens to El… to my baby now. And when he is born." I gave a deep sigh. "And I don't want him to end up in care- don't get me wrong. There's nothing wrong with that. But I don't want him to have to worry about if there are enough care workers or what's going to happen when he turns sixteen. Well everybody worries about that but you know what I mean… I don't want to worry and I certainly don't want him to have to worry about that mum or dad aren't nice. Or they might kick him out if he does something bad or if they have their own children…"
"And most adoptive parents are great. And would never do something like that."
"I know. But all the time since I knew I was pregnant that just felt so far away. Like I'd have everything at the moment and just hand the baby over to someone as soon as he was born. Now I'm starting to realize that if I want to… you know, I want to get to know someone and not just go for first best who wants to adopt a baby. Then I'll have to do something soon."
Faith seemed in loss of what to say. Well, she had never been pregnant after all. I leaned back against the wall and gave a deep sigh.
I guess after what I had said to Dr. Tricia that time was making me not want to face that, swallow my pride. And then get off and start somewhere.
"Are you calling someone?"
I didn't realize I had picked up my phone until Faith asked that. Then I only looked down on it for a second. Then nodded, swallowed my pride and forced myself to act without hesitation while I quickly searched up the right number in my phone and put the phone to my ear.
"Patricia Dunn?"
"Dr. Tricia?" I said before I had the time to hesitate. "It's Kenny LaRusso."
"Oh…" There was a pause. "Sorry I just didn't expect that. How can I help you?"
"Well." I searched for the right words. "I know what I said to you the last time and that. But I have a feeling. And I do know that you're a great person and I don't think you were trying to use me. And… If you're still okay with it. I think I'd like to meet you, and meet your brother and his partner? I can't promise you anything because I'm going to make sure that my baby ends up with the possible and I obviously don't know if it's your brother or somebody else… But… But… But… I guess…"
"It's okay Kenny. Just take it at your own pace."
"I'd like to meet them. Or well… Could you at least tell me their names to start with?"
"Thank you for giving them a chance Kenny. We'd all like that very much… My brother's name is Matthew, and his partner's name is Ashley."
Random fact
I have been coming down with a massive kind of writer's block. So if you think this sucks it probably does.