Chapter One
“Hello, Mr. Dawson, Can you send Lacey down to the office with all her things, someone is here to see her”
“No problem, she will be there in a few seconds:”
“Thank you. Lacey, you can go, do page 67 for homework”
“Ok no problem”
I wonder what was going on. I never get into trouble, why are they sending me down to the office? With my stuff too, well at least I’m getting out of the rest of the day, it’s only first period. A half hour of school, that’s the best way to do it. When I got down to the main office there was a dingy, proper looking woman there who came to greet me.
“Lacey?”
“Yea that’s me, what’s going on, why was I called down to the office?”
“I’m going to need you to come with me”
“What the Hell?! I’m not going with you, I don’t even know you! You’re crazy lady!”
“Lacey calm down, I have some very bad news but I would like to discuss it in my office, where you will be more comfortable”
“I’m comfortable here thank you very much”
“I’m afraid there has been an accident, and your father didn’t make it, I’m sorry”
I couldn’t believe my ears, what was I hearing? Not my father, it can’t be!
“Is this some kind of sick joke?”
“Lacey, please come with me to my office, we will discuss it there”
I felt defeated, what was I supposed to say to the news she just gave me? I followed her to her car, a nice new black Lexus, its interiors smelling of vanilla. The car ride felt like it took years, but really took only moments. She stopped at a big white building with a great big sign that read “Children’s Aid Society” She parked in a spot only a few feet from the main doors. I silently followed her through the double doors, up an elevator and to a room marked “Mrs. Rivers”. I trailed behind her through the door and was issued to seat myself in a big swivel chair opposite of hers.
“Lacey, As I already told you your father has been in an accident and unfortunately died instantly from impact. I am sorry about the news but we will have to get right down to business. I believe your father will be easier to talk about now then it will later once the news has sunk in. I have already looked through all of his files and he has left an accidental life insurance policy that you can claim when you are 21. Seeing as how you are only 13 and cannot live on your own we have some details to work out. Do you have any family that you can stay with?”
“No”
“None at all dear, I’m sure you have someone, aunts, uncles, cousins?”
“No one at all, my father doesn’t really have any friends that I know of and it’s always been just him and I, we never visited anyone and he has never said anything about relatives”
“Okay thank you Lacey. There is a couch in the next room with a television. You can go into there until I come get you.”
I walked into the next room and flopped into a big squishy green couch. I turned on the television to Ellen, I liked to watch her. I wasn’t in the mood and ended up staring into space for almost three hours when the door opened.
“Lacey, I have good news”
I stared at her with a blank stare; I don’t think anything could be good at the moment. I think she sensed my feelings and continued on.
“There is a couple who is looking to adopt a girl between the ages of 12-15, and as you fit the category they are willing to come and meet you today! This is great news as you have an unusually short wait. Of course, if you are not comfortable with being in a permanent family already we can always put you in foster care until you adjust, and then find you a permanent home. So what do you say?”