"I don't know if I want her to stay here any longer. I knew she was trouble the moment she walked in." My ear was pressed firmly against the cherry-wooden door.Listening to Tom's thick southern accent made my annoyance reach its pike.
"Tom, you haven't gotten to know the true her. Not everybody will see color, especially in the south." Linda whined.
It didn't take me long to figure out what she meant by that. Im an African American living in a town full of rednecks. Me living here is a joke within itself.
"Linda, I will not have this conversation with you anymore. She's destroyed everything. Little ungrateful shit. She damn near broke our family apart. Are you seeing what she's doing?"
"Tom, listen-" she started to say.
"No, god dammit! I want her gone! Do you hear me?" His voice boomed loud enough for everyone to hear. Careless at the fact that I could hear him even if I weren't ease-dropping. "Okay Tom. Fine."
My plan had worked. I knew my mischievous accomplishments over time would break him. I'd always pick fights. I even stole a thing or two from Tom and sold them. I said things just to piss him off. He never deserved my respect to begin with. I've had nothing but inequities when I was with him. He had nothing but racial intentions
It was Linda that I liked. She smelled of sweet apple pie all the time. It made you feel at home. Her smile made you feel okay even at your worst. Her smile was sweet and soft. Her accent was silky smooth. She will be the only foster mother that I will truly miss.
I've always ended up with the drug addicts before Linda and Tom. They were pure hood rats with cruel intentions. I was always the black sheep in the family which is kind of ironic. It were almost as if I were part of a slave trade. It was if my purpose were to only serve them and give them whatever they pleased.
I've been beaten, molested, used, and so much more,and unfortunately Linda was the only one with a pure heart. After my first two foster parents, I tried everything in my power to make my future foster parents get rid of me. I learned the hard way to trust no one. I look back regrettably at the things I've done to Linda.
I linger at the door for a moment, waiting for any more of Toms remarks. Tom had already stormed off somewhere stomping his feet as he usually does when he's angry.
Things like this used to hurt me emotionally and mentally. Overtime I had gotten used to it. But the familiar pain tugged at my heart this time only because I cared for Linda.
I already knew what to do. My bag was packed. I made up the bed like the way Linda made it for me when I first came. I cleaned the bathroom as well which wasn't too much work. I guess it's my way of showing Linda that I appreciate her.
Soft knocks were heard before the door was open. Linda came in. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy. Her hand trembled as she brought the tissue up to her face to wipe the tears.
She scanned the room, seeing my packed bag and noticed how neat everything is. That visibly affected her more than I thought.
"Linda, I-" She held her hand up to silence me.
"Don't say anything, sweetie. I know. Child services will be here tomorrow at noon to move you to another home. I'm so sorry,Tessa." Tears threaten to spill but I won't let them. I don't like to cry. "We've developed a great relationship and now I have to let you go," she says.
It's rare moments like these where I'm left speechless. I didn't plan to like Linda. I didn't plan to care for her, let a long have a relationship with her. I sat with her for an hour or so hearing her sobs come and go.
The next day was even tougher. Tom opened the front door and I was greeted by Trish, one of the child services members. She gave me her signature glare as she always does when I get kicked out of a foster home. Tom awaited for me to leave with a look of anger. I turn back to look at Linda and hugged her one last time. I slid a piece of paper in her hand that said 'I'll never forget a person like you.' I left my number at the bottom Incase she decided to keep in touch.
"Let's go Tessa." Tom said clenching his jaw.
Trish places a firm grip on my shoulder as she walked me to the car.
"You've got to stop doing this. What the fuck is your problem?" She said once we got in the car.
"Well if you would stop giving me racist or mentally ill foster parents then I wouldn't fucking be here now would I?" I snap.
"Watch your mouth! Now if you would stop being a dumbass for once then maybe you could've ended up living with Linda in a decent home."
She tells me to watch my mouth but then calls me a dumbass. Okay.
"Well you'll be seeing me soon after my next foster parents." She rolled her eyes at me through the rear view mirror. I'm ready for the next set of parents and whatever challenge that comes along with it.
