By the time Sybella had reached her fifth birthday and started school she had been shifted between more than four families and was beginning to wonder if she would ever get to stay in one place long enough to make any friends. She had had plenty at her old house with her mama and papa. Across the road was Lucy with her hundreds of perfectly dressed dolls and next door was Amelia who wasn't afraid to climb the tree in her backyard, even after she fell out and broke her arm. Sybella's whole life had been spent running from house to house with those two. Everyday they would meet and have tea parties on the front lawn before chasing Amelia's brother and eating watermelon and ice blocks under the sprinkler.
When she had been living with her first foster family she had still been close enough to see her friends. Everyday she would wait on the front lawn, the dolls she had saved from home scattered around her in a circle to start the party. One day she even managed to get a plate of watermelon, though she wasn't allowed to put the sprinkler on. She waited and waited. Patiently at first, after all maybe her friends didn't know her new house. Just in case she had put a big sign out the front reading 'Sybella's house' so they would know.
But her friends never came.
By the time she started school and was with her second family she had realised that they weren't coming to see her again. She would have to find new friends if she wanted to have someone to share tea with, and play skipping with and play under the sprinkler with. The only problem was no one seemed to want to be her friend. When she told her foster mother she told her not to worry, it would take time to make friends, and surely she would meet some people when she started school. So, once again Sybella waited patiently. When she was taught how to ride a bicycle she rode up and down the street, hoping some one would see her and join in. Later on when she started school she tried extra hard to be nice and smile like she had been taught, but everyone seemed to already know someone and there was no one left for her. One day, when she was with her third family, she joined in a game of hide and seeks with everyone. She had a special feeling today was her day and sure enough she was chosen to be 'it' by Louisa, the one on charge of recess games. She ran excitedly over to the wall, counting quickly while everyone scattered to their hiding places. Maybe if I find everyone really quickly they'll be so impressed they'll let me play tomorrow she thought, jumping up excitedly as she closed her eyes. By the time she reached twenty she was so excited that she almost forgot to say "ready or not, here I come"
She ran round to the bubblers, a usual hiding spot, except no one was there. Next was the canteen, then the undercover area but, like the time before, there was no one. By the time she had searched the play gym and been to the hopscotch area she had decided she wasn't a very good seeker and would be better of hiding from now on. When recess was over she asked Louisa where everyone had been hiding, because they were awful good at it. "We weren't playing hide and seek" was the reply.
That was the end of Sybella's hide and seek adventures.
Sybella held on tight to the fabric of Emily's pants while the adults talked above her head.
"Leanne Rossi" introduced the social worker, holding her hand out to shake.
"Emily Lehman" replied Emily, smiling warmly.
The adults stood in silence for a moment, Sybella looking between them curiously before leaning against Emily's leg. Emily's hand came down to stroke the girl's soft hair instinctively and Sybella leaned into her touch, savouring the feeling. Her mama had stroked her hair before she went to bed each night and she missed it.
"Well" stated Mrs. Rossi briskly, breaking the silence "Is it possible we could speak privately?" she asked, directing her question towards Emily.
"Of course" she replied, smiling despite the nervous feeling she was beginning to get. Seeing Sybella had surprised her, there was no doubt, but she was happy to see her. Now she had started to wonder why exactly she was here, with a social worker no less.
"Through here" she directed, leading the small group into an empty class room nearby.
"I was hoping we could talk without Sybella here" interrupted Mrs. Rossi, looking pointedly at Emily.
Sybella looked up at Emily in alarm, silently asking if she could stay. Instead Emily bent down to her level, placing both hands on Sybella's bare arms.
"Will you be alright if you go stand with my friends?" she asked softly, hating to be away from Sybella, even if just for a few minutes. She knew something bad had happened, and that Sybella had been in the middle of it.
"Their all very nice" assured Emily "come on" she prompted, grabbing Sybella's hand.
She was met by a host of very curious faces, especially from a certain dark headed man as she entered the meeting room. Avoiding Matt's gaze, Emily introduced Sybella to the group, saying their names in turn in the hopes Sybella would feel comfortable enough to stay with them for a minute. Matt's knowing gaze gave her some comfort about the situation. He knew about Sybella, just not the extent of the story.
"You'll be alright for a minute, won't you sweetheart?" asked Emily, bending down once more to look her in the eyes.
Sybella nodded her head slowly though Emily noticed the small tears threatening to form.
"Good girl" she smiled, dropping a quick kiss on her forehead that earned a sideways glance round the table.
"Lia and Matt will look after you" she said, pointing to the adults "but don't listen to Frank and Duff, they don't know what there talking about" she winked, Sybella's giggle giving her the confidence to leave for a moment.
Once Emily had left the room Sybella made a beeline to the spot between Lia and Cheryl. She warningly looked over at where Frank, Duff and Matt where seated before turning once again back to the ladies. Deciding that she was safe enough, she placed her self down on the floor and pulled out her colouring book. Cheryl, Lia, Frank and Duff all exchanged a glance before turning towards Matt.
"What?" he asked defensively.
"Nothing" replied the others quickly before going back to their conversations.
Matt was busy filling out some paperwork he had brought with him when he felt a pair of eyes watching him. He looked up slowly to see a little dark head watching from behind a chair. He smiled gently at Sybella, watching her big eyes widen in surprise at being caught.
He chuckled lightly as they both looked down at their pages.
He was half way through his next sentence when the ruffle of pages told him she was staring again. He moved his head to the side, so he could see her clearer. Once again her eyes widened at being caught, so much so she looked like a deer thought Matt in amusement, but instead of looking back down she continued staring at Matt, watching his face.
She's analysing me thought Matt in amusement, watching her watch him in turn.
"What are you colouring in?" asked Matt softly, wondering if the break of silence would upset her. On queue her eyes widened, causing Matt to wonder if that was her reaction to everything. He waited a moment, not noticing that the room had gone quiet and was now watching him watch her. Sybella glanced down at her page, the colourful butterfly lying against a dull background of grey. She shifted the page so Matt could see it clearly.
He smiled in recognition of her action. "You should be an artist" he smiled.
Sybella placed her work back down on the floor, looking back down at it as to question his statement. She glanced back up at Matt a small smile spreading across her face. The unspoken thankyou not going unrecognised by anyone in the room.
Emily's hastened opening of the door moments later broke the moment.
"Matt, can I speak to you?" she asked, glancing down at Sybella to make sure no tears nor tantrums had come while she was away.
"Sure" he nodded, rising out of his seat to follow her.
Sybella watched Matt leave after Emily. She wanted to follow, to see what the adults were talking about. She wanted to stay with Emily here, in LA, where it was sunny and the people were nice. She liked Matt; he wasn't scary, or mean. And he liked her drawings more than her last foster father had. She glanced around the room once more to make sure no one was watching her. She already had a mummy who cared about her and loved her, and if the reason she thought she was down here was true than it would mean she would be living with her from now on. The only thing missing was a daddy, some one to play with her and help her draw, and look after Emily. She looked once more at the two adults standing out side. A small grin spread across her face. She had found just the right man.
Emily stared at Matt's placid face. He had known she was still in contact with Sybella, and that the two where close after the situation which had killed her mother and put her father in prison. What he had not known was the details of the case, how it had affected Sybella and in turn, how it had affected Emily.
"Matt?" prompted Emily nervously; she hated waiting for him to answer questions. He had the annoying habit of making her wait for them. And never gave her clues as to what his answer may be.
"Yeah" he responded, nodding his head.
"You sure?" asked Emily, clearly surprised at his answer. It wasn't everyday that your girlfriend asked if you would mind if a seven year old came and lived with you for a while.
"Yeah" nodded Matt lightly "She's a cute kid, draws pretty well also" he added.
"Okay then" smiled Emily, surprised he was so okay with everything
"This'll be good" smiled Matt, kissing her gently on the forehead before walking back into the meeting room, leaving Emily where she was.
"How on earth are we going to do this" she wondered briefly, before following in his footsteps.