the girl who lost things

part five

--case solved--                                                                                                                                                                      flashback--

"ok, thank you. Bye." Derry puts his phone back into his pocket. " that was social services. A great family has offered to take in Liam. They have two boys already, and they have passed all the possible checks and have already been evaluated. They are the perfect fit. he's getting picked up now."

" that's great. what about Jessie?" I say, looking back at her in the snack room eating some animal crackers. 

he shrugs his shoulders, "we could keep her here until a home opens up."I begin to think; this child deserves more than being put into another random home. But then, her innocent chestnut eyes and puppy dog-faced grabbed ahold of me.

" I can take her in." Derry looks back at me.

" you? a mother." he laughs and pats me on the back. I don't move an inch. " wait, your serious? Oh- um, yeah, sure. I think you already have the qualifications to pass the foster check. But, let me go check." he lets out a forced smile. I would be a good mother...I think. But how do I explain that I'm going to foster her?

" just go with the flow Emily," I tell myself. So I walk into the snack room and sit down. " What animal is that?" I ask her.

" this one is a tiger, and this one is a hippopotamus," she says before chomping both of their heads off.

I let out small laughter, " you think that's funny? Watch me eat this whole tiger in one bit." I throw the tiger inside my mouth and watch her almost die of laughter. Then, finally, I get the confidence to tell her.

" I was wondering, do you wanna live with me until you find a good home." she nods and runs into my arms.  When she came into my arms, I felt different. Happiness, some fulfillment. I hold her even tighter. Finally, a tear manages to fall from my eye. Then, I hear the door swing open. 

" Officer." of course, Detective Derry always having to ruin the moment. " you are eligible for the foster placement; I need you to sign some stuff and send it back to me so I can send it back to social services. I nod as I let go of Jessie and grab the papers, but I want another hug. 

I skim through it, sign here and here..." it's like I'm buying you." I let out a laugh. Her face remains straight. yea, probably not the best joke." I finish signing the papers and head to the office. " here's everything signed."

"you're doing this, Prentiss?"

" yes, and you're eating your 8th taco?" we both laugh as I close the door.

I completely forgot about Mrs. Lucy; I enter interrogation one. She's not in there. I run to the bathroom, but she's not there either. How am I going to break this to Derry? I slowly walk back to his office. Still not having found the words to say, I open his door compulsively.

" What, Emily? here to grill me about my 10th taco?" he says, snickering

" I think I lost Mrs.Lucy," I say, bracing myself for the yelling and screaming. Instead, I hear laughter.

" I sent her to central booking an hour ago; she got 10 to 15 years. that lady was as in the dark as Brother John from the church," he says, grinning. I let a sigh of relief.

" I do hate you, Derry," I say, grabbing one of his tacos.

" go, you solved your first case! have fun with your new foster daughter. You deserve it," he says, throwing me another taco.

" wow, thanks. I appreciate it, "I say with my mouth full. I walk out and back into the snack room.

" are you ready to go home?" I say, grabbing my jacket and putting hers on.

"yes!"