Page 9 of Mistaken Magic

Notthe questionIexpected.I'dalready braced myself for a lecture on my behavior. "Iguess it's ok.Probablythe smallest townI'velived in so far, but kinda seems modern.Iguess it's cool."

"Yeah.TheCityCouncilis hoping to attract new businesses and help the place grow.Wecan't all be farmers, but it's a nice, quiet place.So, where are you from?"

Igave him an incredulous look. "Iowa.PrettysureIhaven't lived in the same place for more than a year sinceIwas five."

"Soundsrough.Guessthat means you've pretty much seen it all, huh?"

Andthere it was.He'deased into it nicely, butIknew how this game was played.Nowwas whenI'deither get a lecture on being grateful for whatIhad or informedIwas being moved to a group home.Therewere never enough foster homes for all the kids in the system, andI'dbeen given far too many chances.Ihad a feeling there'd also be a lecture about burning bridges.

SoIsighed. "Iwas honestly trying to do the right thing.Itwas a stupid bird that got into the house.IguessMrs.Sparksis scared of them or something, because she freaked whenIfed bread to some earlier.Iknow you won't believe me, butI'mnot trying to make problems.Ijust have the crappiest luck."

Witha single chuckle, he lifted a finger and then stood.Walkingover to the fridge,Liamopened the door, grabbed a can ofCoke, and offered it to me.WhenInodded in agreement, he got another for himself, then returned.Thewhole time, my words hung between us.

"So, besides that, how do you like living with theSparks?"Hepassed me one of the cans as he reclaimed his seat.

Iopened the soda and took a drink, but he refused to let me out of the question so easily.Thesilence started to stretch on for a little too long.Evenworse, he wouldn't look away.

Igave in. "I'msure they're really nice people."

"Mm."Hemimicked my tactic with the soda before sighing. "I'msure they are too - deep down."

Ilooked up at him. "Thatdidn't sound very professional."

Helaughed, lifting his hands in admission. "It'sthe bestIcould do on short notice.Thingis,Lorraine,I'ma social worker.Myjob is to take care of kids who've had every other adult fail them, and well, you're in that group now.I'mnot about to pretend the foster system is either fair or wonderful."

"Well, that's refreshing,"Imumbled. "Ijust don't know whatIdid to make them so mad at me, you know?Ikeep trying, and well,I'msure you've seen my record."

Liampatted his briefcase. "Ihave.Yourmom is in jail for killing your father.You'vebeen bounced through homes in every county of this region.Lorraine, do you really expect me to believe you're just a normal teenage girl?"Helifted a hand beforeIcould smart off. "That'swhat they'll say to anyone who'll listen.Ithink you seem nice.Ithink you've been through a lot.Ialso know stereotypes hurt more people than they help, and your foster parents have made sure everyone in town knows your backstory."

Ilet out a heavy groan, becauseIwasn't actually surprised. "So, what amIsupposed to do?"

Helifted his can and took a small drink before continuing. "Whathappened with the crows?"

Imimicked him, taking a drink to cover the tightness in my throat.Thiswhole thing shouldn't have mattered so much. "Ipromised myselfI'ddo better this time.Mrs.Sparkswanted me to help clean the house, soIgot up when the other kids headed to school and did.IthoughtIwas doing everything right, butIdunno.Ifed some bread to the birds in the backyard.Then, whenMr.Sparksgot home, one flew inside andItried to get it out.That'sit.Iswear."

"Andyour file says you've done that before," he pointed out.

Groaning,Iflopped forward to press my forehead against the table. "IknowIshould've thought about it, butIdidn't, ok?Imean, they're cool birds.Crowscan learn to talk, and they bring presents to people they like.It'sstupid, butIfigured it was kinda like having a friend or something.Notlike anyone else in the house was talking to me."

"So, it was the crows who stole the trinkets fromMs..."Hepaused, trying to recall that foster mom's name.

"Ellis,"Isupplied. "Shesaid she'd lost the earring outside.Itappeared on my windowsill.ShesaidImust've stolen it because it had diamonds.Littleones,Liam!Like,Ithought they were justrhinestones, but she made a big deal about it.AndIguess there was some other stuff missing too."

"Keys," he told me. "Includinga key to the garden shed where a few dangerous power tools were kept."

"And?"Becausewhat difference did that make?

Helifted a brow. "You'vewatched horror films,I'msure.Useyour imagination, because she did."

Igroaned. "Thisis so not fair.I'mnot one of those bad foster kids!I'mnot selling drugs or joining gangs.I'mjust...I'mtrying, ok?Ijust can't seem to get it right!"

"Becausemaybe you don't really fit in?" he asked.

Asigh fell from my lips andInodded. "Sometimesit seems that way.Ijust feel likeIdidn't get the rules everyone else plays by, you know?Like,Ikeep trying so hard, and the more effortIput in, the faster it all blows up."

Slowly,Liamslid theCokebetween his hands in a pool of its own condensation. "WhatifIcould get you into a dorm situation for school?"

"What?"Icouldn't even wrap my mind around that, let alone have an opinion.Notat all whatI'dexpected!

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