• tab Blue, spine chilling rain seeped from the gloomy sky, a fitting mood for this day. Nothing seemed to be going right. Everything had become a gigantic jumbled mess, but really, that wasn’t any different from any other day, at least not for her. Though, she hid her emotions, so no one would see the pain, but that didn’t curb it. It remained inside her, pounding like a constant migraine, except that it felt more like an ocean lying within her heart. Talking never helped, nor did anything she tried, not even a cloister. What would stop the hurt? Would it ever cease raining?
    tab Desolate and cold, the girl continued walking down the sidewalk to her home, after departing the afternoon bus from school. However, when she reached her house, her mother was not there and the girl had no key due to her mother’s forgetfulness. She sighed and sat down on the roof covered porch in one of the rocking chairs. How long will it be this time? The girl wondered. The last time this happened (yesterday), she had been left outside until late in the night. It wasn’t that her mother didn’t care about her, she just had her own problems bogging down her mind, and somehow this made her forget about her daughter. The girl had no idea where she went or what she did, though she could guess.
    tab Once more, night fell and her mother had not returned. She pulled her legs up into the chair and rested her forehead on her knees. If her mother hadn’t arrived by now, she wouldn’t until morning. It wouldn’t be the first time. Then, just as she began to drift off to a better place, a car drove up. Assuming it was her mom, she didn’t move.
    tab “Jade Kingston?” a voice asked. The girl lifted her head and could barely make out a woman’s face in the darkness.
    tab “Yes?” she questioned in a tired, feeble voice. Something bad had happened to her mom, she could feel it.
    tab “Your mother… she… she seems to have overdosed a deadly drug. She was rushed to the hospital as soon as the authorities found her, but… I’m afraid she didn’t make it. I was sent to get you. I’m a social worker. My name is Mindy. For tonight, you’ll stay with me. Then, we’ll determine what’s best for you.” Her veracity and the fact that she hadn’t spoken with circumlocution stung for the part Jade heard, for the woman’s words turned gibberish in Jade’s ears. Mom… dead? She… took a drug? Why? Is that what she’s been doing? Drugs and drinking? At first, she didn’t fully comprehend, but when she thought it over again… she balled. The tears stabbed her cheeks as they flooded from her eyes in a devastating fit of sadness and fury. Mindy attempted to soothe her, but Jade heard nothing. All she knew was that her mom was dead, never to be seen again. It didn’t matter to her what drug it had been. Her mom was gone. It wasn’t a clandestine matter. First it had been her older brother. He died in a car accident. Then her dad committed suicide. After that, her best friend had been murdered by some child predator. Now, her mother had passed. Blithe definitely had no place in her life.
    tab The time flew by and eventually the tears halted. Not in a healthy way though. Jade still felt the need to cry, but no tears would come any more. Mindy patiently waited for her to talk. She never did; thunderous silence. When Mindy suggested they leave, she mindlessly followed as if in a trance and without a clamor. She didn’t take her bag and when Mindy asked if she wanted it, no reply was given. She climbed into the back of the car with her face red and tear-stained.
    tab Jade woke up in an unfamiliar bed. Wondering why, she began to get up, and then everything struck her, a newly developed headache with it. Again the tears flowed. Afterwards, she laid there motionless as if the life had drained out of her as well. Not the tiniest muscle twitched. Mindy crossed the threshold, still no movement.
    tab “It’s in the middle of the afternoon,” Mindy commented. No response.
    tab “Are you hungry?” Nothing.
    tab “Well if you need me, I’ll be downstairs.” She seemed to be adroit at not being helpful. Mindy closed the door on her way out. Eventually, Jade’s stomach persuaded her, so she hoisted herself off the bed and slumped down the stairs. Her solemn face pleaded Mindy for food, so Mindy cooked. Jade ate.
    tab “I’ve decided to send you to a foster home in California.”
    tab “I’m staying here.”
    tab “I’m afraid that isn’t your decision.”
    tab “I’m making it my decision.”
    tab “You need a change.”
    tab “Don’t you think I’ve had enough change?” Jade’s voice wasn’t angry, but meager and begging. Clemency poured into Mindy’s eyes.
    tab “All of your belongings will be shipped. You leave tomorrow.” Jade nodded in understanding. There would be no compromise.
    tab The next day, Mindy drove her to the house in California where she would be staying. The family seemed nice, but she was still in a melancholy mood, so she said nothing. The mother briefed her on the rules of the house and informed her that she would be going to school tomorrow. At least she didn’t speak as if I would desecrate the place, Jade thought. Two other children lived with her; one biological, the other adopted. Both were still in elementary school. Until dinnertime, Jade strolled around the neighborhood. Several kids seemed her age, but she spoke to none. Things would be different from then on. She could tell.