Chapter 11

John: We sat in the car for about 15 minutes to get to this emergency foster home. It was a big house, and when we pulled up outside a couple walked out to greet us. I didn't like them. They were overly nice.

Jodi: We were introduced to the family. The parents were called Burt and Susan. They had three kids; two girls and a boy. There was Billy who was 13, Janet who was 11 and Samantha who was 7. We were shown to our rooms for the night. John had to share with Billy while I had the quest room.

The guest room was really plain. The walls, ceiling and floor were all beige. All the furniture was brown and the bedding was pale grey. I dumped my bag on the bed and heard Burt calling John and I. We went downstairs and they told us to sit around the table so reluctantly we did so.

"Right then guys. I know you're only here for tonight but we still have some house rules you need to follow" Burt told us.

"House rules?" John asked.

"Yes. I'll start with the main ones. No smoking, no alcohol, no drugs. If you have any of these I want you to bring them down now. Also, lights out is at 9pm."

"Lights out?" I asked.

"Yes, that's the time you have to go to sleep."

I laughed, stood up and walked upstairs. John followed me.

John: I couldn't sleep properly all night; this Billy kid did not stop snoring. I hope to God this short term placement is better. I mean, this whole thing is bullshit. I've looked after Jodi all her life, I should be the one to look after her now, not some lousy foster family.

The next morning, I walked downstairs. All the kids were sat around the table with Burt. Susan and Jodi were nowhere to be seen. Burt must have seen the confusion on my face. "Susan and Jodi are outside, uh, having a chat" Burt told me.

As I sat down next to the other kids, Susan and Jodi walked in. Jodi was pissed off, I could tell. Susan told the others to go get ready for school so they left. Burt started talking to Susan, quietly.

"What was that all about?" I whispered to Jodi.

"I came down in the middle of the night for a smoke outside, and she followed me down. She was stood there waiting for me when I came back in" she replied.

"Was she a bitch about it?"

"Half and half."

Jodi: Susan interrupted our conversation. "Right guys. Change of plan." She announced.

"What?" I asked.

"Well I've spoken to your social worker and they haven't yet found a suitable placement, so you're going to go to school as normal, Burt will pick you up-"

"No thanks, we'll have a lift with Andy."

"Um who's Andy?"

"My boyfriend, John's friend."

"Okay then, well you'll come back here and then your social worker will come to speak to you."

"Whatever." I got up and left.

That day in school went by slowly. I guess I just couldn't stop thinking about everything. Andy was so understanding though, and that meant a lot.

Eventually, the end of the day came and Andy took us 'home'. Ugh I hate this place. Our social worker was there waiting for us; sat around the table with Burt and Susan. I couldn't hear their kids and it just made me think that maybe they've got them out of the house on purpose. John and I took a seat around the table. Our social worker smiled that forced smile at us again. I don't know why but I could just sense that something bad was going to happen.

"Okay. Now, John and Jodi, as you know I've been looking for a short term placement for you both. So, since we met last night, my team and I have been discussing possible placements. We have found somewhere for you, but I'm afraid you won't be together."

"WHAT?!" John and I both shot up out of our chairs.

"Look I'm sorry but it's for the best. It's done with now, you can't change the decision."

"No. Fuck that. I'm not going to live with some random fucking family without my brother. No I'm not doing it. I'm not going."

The social worker stood up and put her hand on my shoulder. I lost it. All this built up anger has got to come out now.

I shrugged her hand off me and sweeped the things off the table. It's all a blur really. I was shouting and swearing. All the adults were telling me to cool down. John was telling them to shut up. John joined in with me. I don't care if I have to act like a three year old having a tantrum, I am not going anywhere without John. Suddenly, the door burst open and the police charged in. The social worker didn't look surprised. She had this all worked out. The police grabbed John and told him to calm down. John was shouting for them to get their hands off hm but they wouldn't, they just dragged him away. The social worker handed one of them a piece of paper with an address on. I tried to run after him but Burt pulled me back and restrained me. The door closed and I heard the police car drive away. I stopped fighting and told Burt to get off me. He did. The social worker put her hand on my arm again and told me to get my bag. "Don't fucking touch me. You've done enough." I told her. I grabbed my bag and followed her out of the door and into her car.

John: I can't believe they've done this. First they make us leave our home and then they split us up? Fuck them if they think I'm staying here. Not a chance.

Jodi: This new family is even worse than Burt and Susan. They're called Jemima and Bob, and they have a six year old son called Jackson. Their house is huge but you're pretty much not allowed to touch anything. They've searched my bag and taken my dope and cigarettes off me. I swore at them and they've practically locked me in my new room. It's Saturday tomorrow so they're taking me to get the rest of my stuff.

John: I hope Jodi's house is better than mine. This is terrible. I hate it. I sat in my room. It was all old fashioned. If Jodi was here she'd make some funny comment about it. I need to find where she is, I need to make sure she's alright. I looked out of the window, the garage roof was just below. I climbed outside and sat on the roof, lit a cigarette and thought about stuff. Jodi, Claire, even mom and dad. Argh. This whole situation angered me. I want to just run away and find the guys but I haven't even got a clue where I am.