Chapter 4

My eyes open slowly and I look around. Sun rays had flooded in through the room window making everywhere unusually bright and beautiful, the heavenly scent of freshly made pancakes filled the room.

I had a long sniff of the air, "aahh!" it was Probably from outside the window. Sitting up, I get a clearer view of the room, it was disarranged and scattered. I glance at the other bed...Lucy was still asleep. She laid on her stomach with her head on her folded arms and her face turned to the other side. I stood and stretched as I noticed I was still in my yesterday's outfit.

There was something weird about this morning, something wasn't just right. I paused as I tried to remember what was wrong.

"ooh my God, school." I hastily took my phone from the bedside table, the time was 8:23. "Shoot. Lucy! Wake up, we're late for school." She didn't even stir. I rushed to Jerry and Ruth's room and fling the door open." Jerr-" I frowned, I the beds were empty, "where are they?" I rush to the parlor- no sign of them. I decide to check the kitchen.

"Hey, Soph," Ruth says as I enter the kitchen. "Mom made us pancakes, come have some!" There was a big smile on her face. They were all seated on the wooden dining chairs with a huge plate of piled up pancakes on the table.

"Thank you, Ruth."

"Hey." Jerry looked up at me, his mouth was filled with pancakes.

I give them a big smile." Hey." Did you two enjoy your sleep?" I take a piece of pancake from the pile, my mouth watered as I took a big bite.

"Yes!" They chorused.

Ruth laughed with her mouth full." I slept on jerry's bed." She swallowed. "It was so much better than sleeping on my own."

"That's great. I told you, you could be of comfort to each other.

"Hey, darling."

I turn around." Hey mom. Sorry I didn't see you." She was standing so close to me so I hug her. It made her beam.

She was looking very happy. I guess it was the result of having happy loving kids around, their emotions were contagious.

Mom pulled out." How was your night?"

"It was good," I remember the fact that Lucy went out last night, but I shove the thought off. I don't want anything that will change what I am seeing." How was yours?"

Mum's lips curls." It was okay." She walks to the sink and takes some plates to wash." Is Lucy up?"

"Nope." I took more pancakes." No school today?"

"Ooh, yes. I asked for a day off for all of you...and besides, you wouldn't be going back to that school anymore."

"You are going out of the state, Lucy!" Ruth chirps.

Jerry rolls his eyes," and Lucy's going to Paris."

Ruth nods." Yeah."

My stomach lurches and I stop chewing my food. I don't have anything to say so I keep quiet.

Mom slowly turns around and leans on the counter, gripping the kitchen towel firmly with both hands." I wanted to tell you yesterday but Lucy didn't let me."

I don't say a word so she continues." You'll be going to live with Mrs. Rodriguez in the meantime...until I clear things u-"

"And Mrs. Rodriguez's rich." Jerry interrupts." She's my dad's mother."

I choke down the half-chewed pancake." What?"

Mum blinks several times and looks up at Jerry." I can do the talking."

"Sorry" he mumbles, his eyes on the pancake he was holding.

"That's okay, so..." She looks at me." You and Lucy are leaving on Monday-"

"Ooh." I hold my head in between my palms and put my elbows on the table. It dawned on me now, it was so sudden. I felt like I was being chased from where I belonged.

Mom walks over to my side and places her palms on my shoulder." It's going to be okay. Trust me, it's worth it." Then she hugs my shoulders and a tear falls.

........

We were all seated on the dining table eating mac and cheese for dinner. Everything was clear now, Lucy had already been informed she would be going to Paris on Monday. She didn't even flinch.

"I actually thought it was foster parenting stuff," Lucy says.

Mom laughed, "no. I guess we are lucky to have at least one or two relations we can trust."

Well, that leaves it to one relation we can trust, because I don't see any reason why mom would trust Mrs. Rodriguez." so...Jerry and Ruth are going to be with you?"

Mom nods.

"Of course, we are going to be with mom," Ruth says flinging her hands to her side.

"We can't survive without mom, we are still kids," Jerry adds.

Mom smiles." But that's not the only reason."

"It's because you get money every month for their upke...." My voice trails out. That wasn't a wise thing to say.

Jerry nods." Yeah. From dad." He turns to mom." Right, mom?"

Mom nods slowly." But that doesn't matter...I think I'll still try to keep you two. Upkeep or no upkeep."

Lucy leans in on her seat." Mom, what's Mrs. Martha like?"

I let out a breath of relief. For once she was helpful in a conversation.

"Well, she's in her early forties. She has three children-boys-"

Lucy's eyebrows pop up. "Interesting, How old are they?"

What a question. I look at Lucy." Really?"

Lucy shrugs. "I'm curious about the people I'm gonna live with for only God knows how long." she rolls her eyes.

Mom smiles." Her youngest child is ten, then thirteen and her first is seventeen.

"Woah, my age-mate." I laugh.

Lucy turns to me."duh! What does it matter, I'm the one going there not you." Then she turns back to mom.

"You don't have to talk like that, it's no big deal."

Lucy ignores me." Is he cute? I mean the older brother."

Mom's eyes meet mine, I smile to show her it was okay. I am not going to allow anybody's nasty attitude to spoil the moment.

Mom shifts on her seat with a small smile on her lips."Lucy, here's what you need to know. Mrs. Martha is very strict- unlike me. And strict people always have rules, not just having rules, rules that are obeyed. Her son, the one you are inquiring about is a responsible and mature boy."

I laughed at the way mom emphasized the 'responsible and mature.' That was good. Lucy needs those kinds of people in her life.

"good choice mama," I say playfully, and we all laugh, except Lucy of course, she looked thoughtful.

Saturday and Sunday came like the wind. We went shopping for a few things that were needed for the trip. I had no idea where mom got all the money we spent but I moved with the flow, these were the last days of staying with the people I have lived most of my life with, so I made the best of it. Mom had taken us to a park where we had a picnic, played games, and even took pictures. It was one weekend I would never forget, but then reality struck.

........

It was Sunday evening, I was seated on the porch with my knees up to my chest, I wrapped my arms around my knees and place my chin on it. The sun had gone down and it was getting dark. A cool breeze sweep past me, I hug my knees tighter. Everywhere was so peaceful and quiet, I couldn't help but appreciate with a smile. Life is wonderful and full of gifts. But sometimes, because of the circumstances that come our way; we don't show any gratitude.

I hear the door behind me open and I turn to see Lucy."hi." I give her a warm smile.

"Hey..can I join you?"

"Yeah! Sure." I scoot a little and she sits down beside me.

There was a little silence." I'm going to miss everyone."

"Yeah, me too. I can't believe this time we are getting separated from mom, Ruth, and Jerry."

I shake my head slightly." We are not even staying together."

"...I know right. I just hope I won't die of frustration."

I laugh."no....you won't. We'll get through this one, it's not bigger than us."

"...yeah. Lucy leans her head on my shoulder," Mom says Mrs. Martha is her childhood friend. They were both best friends and neighbors in high school- ooh, and they went to the same college. Can you imagine that?"

My jaw drop."Wow! I see why mum has the liver to take you there."

"You think so?"

"Of course. Mom would never take you to anyone she doesn't trust...she loves you...she loves all of us."

A wide grin spread across Lucy's face." I'm gonna miss my friends though."

She's gonna miss her friends. I didn't have any friends, I didn't make any...and I don't regret it.

Lucy sits up straight and looks at me." wait...I don't even know who you are going to be staying with."

Of course, she doesn't, Selfish people don't know or care much about others...Sophie what's wrong with you, Lucy's your sister-

"Soph who??" Lucy was grinning from ear to ear.

"Mrs. Rodriguez. I heard she's strict...and rich."

"Ooh." Lucy turns pale.

"Jerry and Ruth's grandmother."

Lucy gasps and covers her mouth." What?" She whispers.

"What?....What's wrong?.....Lucy?!"

Her eyes were watery. She stands and slowly turns her - now red - face to me." why do you always have the best option?" She says in a hushed voice, she sounded hurt.

"Lucy...I d-do-don't understand."

Lucy shakes her head, tears streamed down her face." Of course, you don't!" She walks past me, almost stepping on my hand and next I hear the loud bang of the slammed door.

Dropping my head on my palms I let out a shaky breath.