Fang

Max, Ms. Monroe and I go meet my mom. To keep up the fake boyfriend-girlfriend thing, Max reaches for my hand and squeezes it as we near the door that will either lead to some happiness or my imminent doom...Hopefully it's the happiness choice but since it's me we're talking about, it's probably the doom one. I hold a firm belief that God likes to challenge me. Well, my life isn't boring so He definitely does a good job keeping me on my toes. In some ways I prefer it over a boring one simply because I have gained some good things from it like Max, but she's not exactly a thing but, you get my point.

Anyway, I squeeze Max's hand back and she smiles reassuringly at me. I'm scared. I'll just say that now. When my dad found me, he nearly killed me because he got thrown in jail because of my birth. Which although wasn't exactly my fault but that's what he thought. For the reason listed above and because of all the foster homes I've been in that have resulted in me getting the crap beaten out of me (which has been all of them except Ms. Monroe's house,) I'm just a little nervous about meeting my mom. Why does she want me now? That's what I want to know. Why now? Why not before? This makes no sense. I didn't exactly object to her keeping me before, (you know, because I was a baby so I really had no opinion in the matter,) so why did it take her sixteen years to realize she wanted one of her twins? Why couldn't she have kept Maya and me from the beginning? Then Maya would still be here.

Ms. Monroe rings the doorbell and we wait. I'm freaking out on the inside but I manage to keep my face non-emote. Finally, a woman an inch or two taller than Ms. Monroe (who's three inches shorter than me,) opens the door. She has pale skin, dark brown hair and brown eyes. Her hair and eyes are both several shades lighter than mine...I must have inherited them from dear old dad-great. (Please note the heavy sarcasm.)

"Hello ma'am. This is Nicolas but he prefers to go by Fang. You and I talked over the phone. He's your son." Ms. Monroe says, gesturing for me to come forward.

I get closer and the woman smiles at me, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Hi sweetie." She says, hugging me.

I freeze. I've never met her before but she's hugging me. Is this normal? Someone-probably Max-gently eases my arms around the woman so I don't insult her by not hugging her back. The lady finally lets go and looks at me with a smile, "You look so much like your father." She says smiling wider.

I inwardly shudder. I don't want to resemble that abusive man in any way. He made Mr. Sullivan seem as harmless and carefree as a puppy.

"Come in, come in." She says, gesturing for the three of us to go into her house where all her weapons are probably stored. Yippee.

We all sit on the couches. My mom is sitting by Ms. Monroe on the sofa and Max and I are sharing the love-seat. (Heads out of the gutter people, that's just what it's called.)

"So, how do you like the house?" My mom asks.

"It looks nice." I say quietly.

"What?" She asks.

"It looks nice." I say a little louder.

"Come on sweetie, can you speak up a little? I can't hear you." She says.

"He said it looks nice." Max interjects.

"Thank you but I was asking my son, not you, silly." My mom tells Max with a light chuckle.

Ms. Monroe smiles.

"The house looks really nice." I say, louder this time.

"Aw, thank you. Wait til you see your room. Oh yeah, where's your twin?" She asks.

"She's...dead." I say quietly.

"What?" She asks.

"She's in Heaven." I say in a louder voice.

She looks a little sad but not much. Then she starts tearing up, and says, "Oh my poor baby. How did she die?"

I look down and say, "She was killed by a rogue foster father."

My mom gets up and hugs me, sobbing loudly. I awkwardly hug her back and she pulls away, saying, "At least I have you."

I nod, feeling weird.

"So, when are you moving in?" She asks, smiling broadly.

I look at Ms. Monroe who looks kind of sad. That's weird; I thought she wanted to get rid of me.

"We'll pack his stuff up tonight and he can move in by tomorrow." Ms. Monroe says.

"Perfect." My mom claps, causing me to wince-Max too.

"We'll see you tomorrow." Ms. Monroe says, standing. Max and I stand up together and my mom hugs me again.

She walks us out and then Max, Ms. Monroe and I all pile into Ms. Monroe's car.

"She seems nice. I'm sure you'll have. Great time there Fang." Ms. Monroe says cheerfully.

I nod and look at Max who looks sad.

"At least we'll still go to the same school." I try weakly.

Max smiles and hugs me. I hug her back tightly, not wanting to ever let go, and we don't until Ms. Monroe pulls into Max's house. My shoulder feels wet and I'm sure Max's hair feels wet to because we both both shed a few tears on the way to Max's house. Things won't be the same and it's gonna suck. I'm sure to be back in foster care before I know it.

When Ms. Monroe pulls into her drive, I get out silently and we go inside the house.

"How about some burgers? I can cook them on the stove if you want." Ms. Monroe suggests.

"No thanks." I say quietly, before walking up the stairs to pack.

Ms. Monroe comes back in a few minutes later.

"Fang? Can I come in?" She asks, through the door.

"Yeah, you can't come in." I reply.

She opens the door and smiles sadly at all my stuff scattered everywhere.

"Do you need help packing?" She asks.

"Only if you want to." I answer, not wanting to be an unnecessary burden.

"Are you excited to live with your mom?" She asks.

I shrug, not knowing what to say.

"That ecstatic huh?" She jokes.

I manage a small smile for her sake.

"Can I hug you?" She asks.

I look at her, wondering why she's asking.

"Hugs always make you uncomfortable. I noticed your expression when your mom hugged you." She explains.

I nod and she hugs me. I hug her back, secretly wishing I could stay, knowing I'll never have the nerve to ask or receive the answer that I want.

The next morning...

Fang

Ms. Monroe helped me pack last night so all I have to do is get up and get dressed this morning. I go downstairs to find my favorite breakfast foods waiting: bacon, sausage links, scrambled eggs, pancakes, and her famous cookies. After breakfast we pack up the car and Ms. Monroe drives us to my mom's house.

"I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time with your mom Fang. Don't forget. You can visit whenever you like. Okay?" Ms. Monroe says as she says goodbye.

I nod and hug her. I know I've surprised her because it takes her a second to hug me back but I'm gonna miss her. Nobody has ever taken such good care of me as far as I can remember.

"Bye." I say as she walks away.

I turn to see my mom smiling at me.

"I'm happy to have you here Nicolas. Please, make yourself at home." She says, smiling at me. There's something about the look in her eyes that scares me a little.