Nikki drove to the park not too far from the Mercer house, where she first met them so many years ago. She parked in the parking lot, turned off the ignition and sat there, laying her head on her hands on the steering wheel. Her throat ached, her eyes burned, and her breathing was irregular, as she thought of Ms. Evelyn Mercer. How could someone so pure, so innocent, be killed? Out of all people why did it have to be Evelyn Mercer, Nikki's second mother? She looked out the windshield and saw the park bench that Ms. Mercer always sat on whenever they were there.

A little Nikki, all of seven years old, ran over to Ms. Mercer's bench to have a seat that fine summer day, a little tired from playing basketball with the boys.
Nikki: "Um, excuse me?"
Evelyn: "Yes?"
Nikki: "Is it ok if I sit here?"
She asked, pointing to a seat open next to the generous old woman, who was holding a teary eyed Angel.
Evelyn: "Of course it is, sweetie"
She smiled warmly at Nikki as she took a seat next to her swinging her legs.
Nikki: "Are all of them yours?"
She asked, referring to Bobby, Jeremiah and Angel.
Evelyn: "Yes. These are my wonderful boys."
Nikki: "Oh..."
Nikki understood that these boys weren't Ms. Mercer's biological sons, she knew what adopted was because that's exactly what she was and all she'll ever be, a foster child.
Nikki: "Um...Oh! My name's Nikki, what's your name?"
Evelyn: "My name is Evelyn Mercer, it's nice to meet you Nikki."
She shook the little girl's hand, smiling sincerely. Nikki looked at Angel then to back to Evelyn.
Nikki: "Is he going to be ok?"
Evelyn: "Oh, he'll be fine, no need to worry."
She reassured. Angel looked at Nikki, no longer hating her, but actually liking her. Angel liked the fact that even after she had hurt him, she still worried for his wellbeing, just like his brothers do.
Nikki: "Uh...I'm sorry for hitting you in the face."
Ms. Mercer was surprised by Nikki's kind behavior, just a minute ago she was rough housing with the oldest and now she's as kind as can be. Nikki was definitely wise beyond her years.
Angel: "It's ok...My name's Angel"
Nikki: "Angel? That's a pretty name"
She smiled, and he returned the favor. Ms. Mercer set him down seeing how he was feeling better.
Evelyn: "Why don't you two go play?"
Nikki: "No, that's ok; I wanna stay here with you."
She scooted closer to Ms. Mercer, enjoying her company, even though she had just met her all of five minutes ago.
Evelyn: "Why do you want to stay with me?"
Nikki: "Because you're nice."
She smiled an adorable smile, and Angel ran off to be with his brothers again.
Evelyn: "But I'm going to read, I wouldn't want you sitting here bored while I read."
Ms. Mercer wasn't trying to drive Nikki away, but testing Nikki's persistence to see if she was really willing to stay and sit in silence while Ms. Mercer finished her book.
Nikki: "Can I read with you?"
Ms. Mercer knew it was impossible for a 7 year old to read an adult's book with a reading level of a 2nd grader, but it wouldn't hurt to see her try.
Evelyn: "Ok Nikki, get over here."
Nikki sat in Ms. Mercer's lap and peered into the book, astonished by all the big words that were unknown to her young mind. She knew most of the small words and could actually sound out some big words with the help of Ms. Mercer.
Nikki: "Evelyn, you are now my official new mom."

Nikki smiled at the memory, she had many more memories of Ms. Mercer, but that one was her favorite. She also remembered how she arrived at Ms. Mercer's door step with a back in her hand one night, asking to stay with her for a while since things weren't going good at her house. Ms. Mercer didn't turn her away, she let Nikki stay for a while, that is until Nikki's parents came to claim her, banning her from the Mercer's, but of course she didn't listen, they weren't her real parents after all. That memory made her smile too. As she lay back in her seat, someone called her name. She turned her head, and saw two worry struck boys, Jeremiah and Jack. She got out the car and stood before them, leaning on her door.
Jerry: "You ok?"
She sighed heavily before speaking.
Nikki: "Yea...I miss Mama Mercer."
Jack: "We all do."
Jerry: "And right now, we miss you back at the house."
She gave them a small smile, getting back in her car.
Nikki: "Let's hurry up and get back then, I'm missing everyone too, and it's only been an hour."
Jack: "You're gettin' soft Nikki?"
He joked, happy to see her happy again.
Nikki: "Only in texture my friend, now come ride with me, I need some company."
Jack's face lit up when he got the opportunity to ride with her in her beautiful car. He quickly ran to the passenger's seat and jumped, feeling the leather interior. Jerry laughed as he recoiled to his car, starting it up. Nikki pulled up alongside of him, making him roll down his window to hear what she has to say.
Nikki: "See you at the house Jerry."
She grinned, giving him a playful wink, and sped out the parking lot with her tires screeching and Jack shouting in excitement, as she zoomed down streets. Jeremiah however, obeyed the law and drove at the speed limit. Nikki pulled up to the Mercer's house and Jack was quick to jump out the car, pumped.
Jack: "Man Nikki! That was awesome!"
Nikki: "Well what can I say? I'm tight like that"
She said with a cocky smile. They both headed into the house, and everything seemed to be calmer now. Kira was no longer crying but was talking with Angel and Bobby, as Nikki and Jack walked in.
Jack: "Bobby, Angel! You have to take a ride in Nikki's car!"
He yelled full of excitement, joining Bobby on the couch.
Bobby: "I'm guessing you did?"
Jack: "Yes! It was so fun too!"
Bobby: "Really? Did you like the feeling of your hair flowing in the breeze?"
He asked in a soft voice, dramatically, and everyone laughed except for poor Jack.
Nikki: "Some things never change."
Angel: "Yea, but ya'll sure did."
Nikki: "How?"
Bobby: "What do you mean how? You're all girled up and Kira is wearing a Nikki outfit!"
The girls examined each other's outfits, silently agreeing with Bobby.
Nikki: "First off, I only wore this because of the banquet after a funeral we had went to and didn't have time to change. And second, this will be the only time you see me in something like this."
Bobby: "Ok, ok whatever you say..."
Kira: "Uh...Tell me Jack, Bobby, who has girlfriend?"
Bobby: "Well Jack certainly doesn't, he has a boyfriend though."
Jack: "Kiss my ass Bobby!"
Bobby: "You'd like that wouldn't you Princess?"
He grinned and Jack only grunted, unable to say anything.
Nikki: "Will somebody answer the damn question!?"
She asked, taking charge.
Angel: "Same ol' Nikki..."
Jack: "I'm not seeing anyone and Bobby isn't because he put on too much weight."
Everyone couldn't help but laugh. For once, Jack was the one insulting Bobby.