Enemies Without a Limit

Chapter 21

"Well, one, you reek of alcohol--but don't worry, I'm gonna look the other way. Second, I heard your stomach grumble at least three times since we started talking. And you either haven't been getting much sleep or you've been crying." Dancy replied pointedly. Darryl looked down sheepishly. "You're seventeen years old and though you maybe only a couple of months away from your eighteenth birthday, New York State law doesn't allow minors to live alone."

"So where am I supposed to go?" Darryl asked, confusedly.

"We can temporarily place you in a foster care until your eighteenth birthday and can live on your own."

"Foster care?" Darryl asked skeptically. He hadn't been aware it would come down to this.

"Yea. I've seen a few kids about your age go through the same thing and they end up going to nice homes with foster parents willing and capable of taking care of them."

"Where will I end up?" Darryl asked, ignoring the testimonial.

"Well, some kids go as far as Brooklyn or another of the five boroughs in the city. Then there are some who get homes upstate and others who move out of state and go as far as California." Dancy informed.

"California?" he mumbled to himself. He couldn't move to California or anywhere that wasn't home. 

"Well, Darryl? You did say that you don't have any remaining family and that you have no friends to help you."

"Yea, but--" he started but he cut himself off. He didn't want to leave everything behind. And he didn't want to leave Naomi. She was probably the only person that mattered.

"Why don't you ask around and try to find a place to live before we make any decisions right now." Dancy said with Darryl thought was a knowing smile. "I'm about to grab some lunch, why don't you join me and we can discuss foster care--if that's what it comes down to." 

Though Darryl didn't like handouts and knowing Dancy already did so much for him, he was too hungry to refuse a meal. "I don't know."

"Darryl, please. You're thinner than when I last saw you. C'mon. And I'll even let you drive in your new car." she insisted. 

For the first time, Darryl cracked a smile. "Alright officer, I'll just go get changed. And thanks again."

"When I'm off duty, you can call me Maria." she said kindly before he turned away and went to get changed. 

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Naomi sighed as she stuffed her books in her bag and shut her locker at the end of the day. As she walked through the crowded halls, heading towards the exit she felt tears swelling in her eyes again. No, Naomi. You've been crying for days now! Just stop! she scolded herself as she brutally wiped her eyes. She felt as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders and with the dance in less than twenty-four hours she couldn't help but feel helpless. 

"Naomi!"

Naomi turned her attention toward the voice of Jazzy calling from behind her. "Oh hey, Jazzy!" she called back, "Where have you been all day?" Naomi asked curiously as she turned and walked toward Jazzy. If it wasn't for Cayden, Naomi would have had to spend lunch alone. But as she neared her friend, she could see fear and misery on her face. "Jazzy, what's wrong?" she asked cautiously.

"Nay..." Jazzy sobbed, "I-I don't want you to worry, but I spent most of the time in-in the bathroom, taking a pregnancy test."

Naomi's face contorted to confusion. "A pregnancy test?" she asked incredulously, keeping her voice at bay from others to hear. "But Jazzy--wait." she couldn't find the words. "So are-are you---"