"Thanks momma. Mrs. Scott said that she would bring us every time there are visitations, and I promise we will be at the trial. I love you," she and I both stood, she embraced me in an awkward hug, and she placed a kiss on my cheek. I glanced back to see her sobbing into her hands, and my heart broke. I was so angry that she would do this to us, but she was still the only adult who ever loved me, and she gave me my best friend. I could never hate her, so seeing her cry, I wanted to run to her, but Officer Ryan pushed me out of the room.
I told Mrs. Scott that she could pick Beth and I up at our apartment later, I wanted to break the news to her myself, and we needed to pack anyways. She reluctantly agreed.
"Jenny, why's momma not home yet?" She asked confused. When our mother stayed out all night, she was home before we got back from school.
"Beth, I have to tell you something hard. Here sit down."
"Why are you so dramatic? I thought that was my job."
"Wow, you are getting an attitude," I grinned for the first time all day.
"What did you want to tell me?" She seemed a little annoyed that I was staling.
"Look mom got into some trouble."
"What kind?"
"Are you sure you want to know all the details?"
"Yes, just tell me."
"She was caught embezzling money when we lived in Philly."
"What's that?"
"It's when you steal a lot of money from a corporation, in a way that you hope not to get caught."
"But she did?"
"Yes, and she confessed to everything."
"So where is she?"
"She's going to prison."
"What? Why?" Tears fell like a waterfall from her eyes. I pulled her into a hug.
"It's a major crime."
"For how long?"
"We won't know until the trial."
"But why did she do that?"
"I don't know, you have to ask her."
"When can I see her?"
"There is another visitation next week."
"I can't go there, she has to come to me."
"She can't." She was crying uncontrollably by this time. "Beth, I know this must be a shock, but we have to pack."
"What, we're moving again? Why can't we just stay here till she gets back?"
"We have to have adult supervision. They wanted to separated us…"
"No. They can't do that."
"My teacher is taking us in until they find us a home together."
"Is she nice? Does she have children?" She began to wipe her tears away hearing that she wasn't losing both her sister and mom in the same day.
"Yes, and no. She'll be here in an hour, so get packed."
"But I miss momma."
"I know, me too. But we'll see her soon, I promise." I went through my room and packed everything I needed for the next few days.
Mrs. Scott picked us up an hour on the dot. "Hello? Jenny? Beth?" I heard her call.
I ran to turn down the radio. "Oh hey Mrs. Scott. I didn't hear you knock." She smiled glancing at the photos around the room. "BETH!" I yelled and she came running out and stood behind me. Mrs. Scott took a seat on the couch, while we just stood.
"I figured, so I let myself in. Ok first, my name is Haley, no more Mrs. Scott. Second, how do you girls like Macaroni and cheese?" Beth's eyes widened, and she grinned.
"I love it, why?" She asked excitedly.
"I figured we could have that for dinner, I make the best you'll ever taste."
"Can I put hot dogs in it?"
"Sure, that will be a change." Beth's smile faded, she was getting sad again. "What's wrong?" Haley asked concerned.
"Momma won't let us have macaroni and cheese. She says its too fattening."
"Oh well, we can have something else, but its up to you. I'm gonna make it, but if you want to respect your mother's wishes than you don't have to, ok?"
"But I want it."
"Beth, Haley's in charge now. No matter what rules mom put down, if she says no, than no."
"Can I still be a princess?" Beth asked Haley.
"Of course sweetie. Girls listen, neither Nathan nor want to take your mother away from you, we are just here to help. So if your mom says no, than we need to come to some sort of agreement. Ok?" We both nodded, to my surprise I was excited to move with them. We grabbed our bags and Haley said she would bring us back that weekend to get the rest of our things. We decided to hold a garage sale for the big things, and Haley said she would get storage for our mother's belongings.
When we pulled up to the Scott's house, both Beth and I were in awe, but I was able to compose myself, before either noticed. Beth was still in amazement when we stepped into the foyer, I had never even heard of a foyer until Haley was giving us the grand tour. "Nathan!" She called out to him. A gorgeous man came down the stairs, holding a cute little black puppy. I couldn't take my eyes off of him, he had short black hair, he was in shape, and my idol.
"Wow." I said before I could stop myself. They all smiled; I turned a bright shade of red.
"I say that every time I look n the mirror," Nathan said grinning. Haley playfully punched his arm, "Nathan Scott." He reached out his hand to shake mine.
"I know. I have been secretly watching you for years." I told him.
"Great a stalker," he said still laughing.
"No, I mean my mom just wouldn't let me watch basketball so I had to follow your career secretly. Yours, Lucas', and Jake's. Seriously, I'm not a stalker." I was beyond embarrassed.
"I was just kidding, Jenny calm down. You must be Beth." She looked up briefly, and then hid behind me again. "I read somewhere, that the best thing to get a child you meet is a doll. But I opted for a dog, so we could all have fun with her. Do you girls like her?"
This got her attention. "What's her name?"
"Well I thought you and your sister could name her. Take your time…"
"Blacky!" She called out before we could say anything. We all laughed, and for the first time I felt like I was part of a normal family. Then I stopped smiling, I was betraying my mother, and couldn't do that.