It was almost like my mom was back again.

She reminded so much of her… she wouldn't let me buy the shorts that didn't quite meet the dress codes, and she spent more than she said she would.

We bought all the cute notebooks and pencils and pens.

I got new backpack and lunch box.

We ate dinner at a nice restaurant and then went back to the house.

The next few days before Aunt Susan went back flew by. I didn't want to say good bye to her; I wanted to go with her.

Dad and Annie drove us to the air port.

Aunt Susan hugged me and said," I'll be back in two weeks. You listen and do what you're told and I'll be back as soon as I can. Okay? Promise you listen?"

I choked through tears," Promise."

She kissed my cheek and brushed the tears away and said," Bye… I'll call you when I get home."

I refused to leave until I had seen the plane take off and I watched it until it disappeared in the sky.

It wasn't two days after she left that I started to get in trouble with Dad and Annie.

I was late to class one morning because I was hiding in the bathroom. One of the teacher found me and gave me detention.

I got home an hour late from school.

Annie was waiting in the kitchen.

She asked," You're late. Where have you been?"

I said," I was at school."

She looked suspicious and said," School got out an hour and a half ago, where have you been Sarah?"

I said as I ran up the stairs," I was at school."

My dad knocked on my door later and came in before I had a chance to answer.

He said," you're principle called. She said you got detention because you were trying to skip class. Were you going to tell us?"

I didn't answer him.

I walked out of the room and into my bathroom and locked the door.

A few minutes later there was a knock on the door.

I asked," What do you want?"

Lucy answered," Can we talk?"

I opened the door and she came into the room and shut the door back behind her.

She sat down beside me on the floor and asked," Why did you want to skip class? You liked the school, what happened?"

I looked at her and then looked away.

She asked," Are people picking on you?"

I tried to hold my tears in, but they slowly started to slip from my eyes.

She lifted my chin and asked," What happened at school?"

I said," I don't want to go back."

She said," You have to tell me why. What happened at school Sarah. I can't help you if you won't tell me what's going on."

I said," It's just some guy. He's a jerk. I wasn't trying to skip class I was avoiding him. I knew he would leave. He was waiting outside the door. I could leave the bathroom."

She said," Why didn't you just say something. Why didn't you tell Annie or Dad?"

I said," They didn't care why I was in the bathroom Lucy. They just want a reason to be mad at me. They want a reason to tell Aunt Susan that I'm not doing what she said so I'll be in trouble with her too."

Lucy said," Sarah, do you trust me?"

I said," Yes…"

She said," Then believe me when I tell you Dad and Annie are not looking for a reason to be mad at you or to get you in trouble. They are worried about you. No one knew where you were. You just didn't come home from school and then you principle called. And she said you had been having problems, but Dad wanted to respect you enough to let you come to him when you needed his help. He knew every thing Sarah. He wants you to learn to talk to him and to know that no matter what he will be here for you. Sarah… I know you don't like any of us very much, but we are your family and no matter what… from today until the day you die we will always be your family."

My dad opened the door and said," She's right sweetie. I know I made a lot of mistakes with you and I hurt you more than any person should ever be hurt, but I have been your dad since the day you were born and I will be your dad until the day I die."

I said softly," I know, but I can't trust you yet. I can't."

He said," Okay, I understand. Just promise we'll keep working on it. And know I will always be here and you never have to handle something on your own."