Page 1 of Unbidden

Chapter One

“She’s acting out due to grief.”

“This is a cry for help.”

“Don’t give up on her yet.”

I sigh as I sit outside my case worker’s office, listening as she lies to my most recent foster parents.

“She hit another student.”

“She’s violent.”

“We cannot have her in our home with our child.”

I snort. Their precious child is a douchebag who’s selling dime bags for the local drug dealer. He’s out partying every night with them while his parents think he’s studying with his friends. Yet I’m the dangerous one for punching a bitch after she swung on me first.

“Thank you for coming by and speaking with me,” Mrs. White says as she escorts Mr. and Mrs. Richmond out.

“Of course. Sorry we couldn’t be more help.” Mr. Richmond walks by without looking in my direction.

“We look forward to your next call, Sylvia.” Mrs. Richmond shoots a glare my way before following her husband down the hall.

“What am I going to do with you, Sage?” I look up to find Mrs. White shaking her head. “Come in. Let’s have a little chat.”

I follow her into her office and flop down in the chair in front of her desk.

“It wasn’t my fault, you know. She made the first move. Am I not supposed to defend myself?”

She drops her head into her hands and lets out a heavy breath.

“I’m not saying you shouldn’t defend yourself, but violence should never be the answer.” She looks up at me. “You can’t keep this chip on your shoulder forever.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m so sorry your mother died. I truly am, but you cannot keep blaming the world. The Richmonds were good people. You could have had a good life until you aged out. Now I’m not sure what we’re going to do with you.”

I swallow hard. The Richmonds weren’t the worst foster parents I’ve had. No, that award goes to Michael Chester, or Chester the Molester, as I prefer to call him. He was a creep with a capital C. I only stayed there two days before I kneed him in the balls for trying to sneak into my room in the middle of the night. Of course, he claimed he was checking on me, but he and I both know the truth.

“What now?” I ask, not really caring where they put me next. I only have eight months until I turn eighteen. I just need to stick it out until then.

“I need to make some calls. Sit outside my office until I can figure out what to do with you.”

“Sure thing, boss.” I stand and salute her before doing as she asks.

∞∞∞

“Good news.” Mrs. White’s voice comes from out of nowhere, making me jump.

“Holy shit! Don’t do that to me.” I clutch my chest, comforting my pounding heart.

Mrs. White scowls. “Language, young lady. Come on in and I’ll explain your new living arrangements.”

I find myself sitting in the same chair as before, waiting for her to reveal my fate.

“Did your mom ever talk to you about her sister?”

I narrow my eyes at Mrs. White. “Occasionally she would talk about her childhood and mentioned a sister once or twice, but I’ve never met her.”

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