“Crap.” Dawn’s curse caused me to quickly look at her before I followed her gaze to the parked car that was off to the side.
I was pretty sure that wasn’t the social worker’s car, but even then, she did stop a few times over the past few months.
It was still hard to wrap my mind around the fact that I’d been with Dawn for nearly six months. Only one huge meltdown, which was actually a panic attack. She hadn’t kicked me out then, so maybe she was going to keep me.
“That’d be my parents. Your grandparents,” she went on after slowing the car. “They don’t visit often, and never have they just shown up without a call first.” Dawn took a deep breath, gathering whatever mental patients she could. Or so I assumed. “I won’t tell them who you are to me.”
I shrugged. It didn’t matter to me. Or I didn’t think it did at the moment. It wasn’t like I was going to say who I was to Dawn, or anyone else for that matter.
“Alright then. Let's get this over with.”
Sounded good enough for me. The sooner these guests left, the sooner I could…well I don’t know. I’d probably either hide in my room, or go to the swing. Either option would happen either way.
By the time the car was turned off and we both stepped out, two adults were walking our way. Like I was good at, I ignored them both, loading the bags of groceries into sizable grabs. There wasn’t much, and it was easy enough for both Dawn and me to take it all in one load.
“Hey. Mom. Dad.” Dawn greeted, a fake smile that I hadn’t seen from her before on her lips. “This is a surprise.”
“We thought we’d stop by,” the woman spoke, her eyes trailing me up and down. I didn’t need to be looking at her to know she was eyeing me up like I was a bug on the bottom of her shoe.
“You don’t just stop by. You don’t live close enough for that,” Dawn muttered the last part, leading the way up to the door. I followed right behind her.
“We are going on a road trip. Thought it’d be fun before we hit retirement.” The man answered, his voice deeper than I expected. “Darla wanted to see a few towns we would settle down in in a year or two.”
“Please not here,” Dawn whispered under her breath. I had to agree with her there. There was no way I would have wanted them here if she didn’t.
“So…who’s this?” The woman asked once we were in the kitchen. I was quick to set my bags down and start to put the stuff away.
“Someone staying with me for a while,” was the only answer Dawn gave. It was short and to the point. Yet, Darla didn’t seem to take it.
“Are you still trying out that whole parent thing? Your sister failed and the system never let you have her kid, so of course you would. Maybe find a man first, then you can raise your children.”
Dawn turned, hands on her hips. My eyes bulged, already knowing whatever she had to say wasn’t going to end well for the person on the other side.
My hands slightly shook as I sat the can of beans on the counter.
“I’m a fully grown adult and make my own choices. That includes who I allow into my home. If you can’t respect my choices in being a foster parent, then you can find the door.” Dawn took a breath, glaring daggers at her parents. Her father stood back, quiet and not uttering a word, yet his eyes kept bouncing to me.
Out of the corner of my eyes, his mustache twitched. Whatever thoughts he had, he hid pretty well.
“And don’t get me started on my nephew. It’s your fault I didn’t get him when he was thrown into the system. You should have at least taken him in. Your own grandson…. really? I don’t know how I survived growing up, but no wonder why your other daughter was into drugs.”
“We cared, Dawn. It was tough enough raising two daughters, who were ungrateful for everything we did.” Darla seemed like she really couldn’t care any less. “And I bet that boy found a good home. He was young enough. People adopt all the time.”
A good home?Yeah right.
I huffed a breath through my nose. If only it had been that simple.
“You’re so wrong. On so many levels. You aren’t welcome here anymore.” Dawn folded her arms across her chest and moved to block me from their sight a bit more.
“Now don’t get in a tizzy fit.” The man spoke. “We don’t need to argue. That’s not our purpose today. We just wanted to see our daughter.”
“Then tell your wife she needs to keep her mouth shut about how I live my life and who gets to be in it.”
“Hey now!” Darla shouted, causing me to jerk. A can clattered to the floor.
“Maybe you should think about what really happens in foster care. Or maybe think about the fact you destroyed a life that you could have saved!” Dawn counted, her voice raising slightly.
I slowly backed away, my heart in my stomach. While I knew Dawn would speak upfor me, and for herself, my flight response kicked in.
