The Quiet You Carry by Nikki Barthelmess

Author:Nikki Barthelmess
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Sexual Abuse / Family / Orphans & Foster Home / Coming of Age
Publisher: North Star Editions
Published: 2019-01-16T18:42:07+00:00

Chapter

Twelve

Lizzie and Jamie are already sitting on the loveseat opposite Connie when I begrudgingly join them the next morning. Annie is at her grandmother’s house today, so the only person we have to wait on is our horrid foster mother. Per usual, Connie’s sitting on the big couch, her bare feet perched on the matching ottoman.

“‘Bout time!” Connie says to me. “Sit.”

Lizzie scoots over to make room for me on the edge. I sit.

“I’ve got news. Big, big news.” Connie grins at Lizzie. “You’re getting adopted!”

On Lizzie’s other side, Jamie leans forward. Wearing a bulky sweatshirt, she looks smaller than usual. “The Willits changed their mind?”

Changed their mind? I thought she was supposed to move in with them next weekend.

I lean behind Lizzie and try to catch Jamie’s eye, but she doesn’t look at me. Her eyes are on Connie, and there’s a desperation in them I haven’t seen before.

Connie flushes. “No, no.” She shakes her head. “Unfortunately, the Willits are sticking with what they said yesterday when they called, that they changed their mind about wanting an older child. They still want a baby.”

Jamie’s face crumples for a second, but then she regains composure. Her body stiffens.

Connie glances at me, and then looks back to Jamie. “Not everyone has the patience and wherewithal to handle a preteen or teenager, foster teens and all the baggage they come with especially. But be patient, and hopefully another family will come along for you someday.”

Jamie sags back into the couch. “They seemed lame anyway.” She crosses her arms and glares at the wall.

Lizzie’s eyes haven’t left Connie. “Those people want to adopt me?” she asks.

I turn to Lizzie. “What people?”

Connie snaps her head toward me. “Maybe if you weren’t so caught up in your diabolical plans, lying and breaking rules, you would know.”

I look from her back to Lizzie. And then to Jamie, who still won’t look at me. Guilt seeps in. Maybe Connie’s right. I haven’t paid much attention to Jamie or Lizzie. I didn’t say a word to Jamie last night, even though it looked like she’d been crying.

Connie sighs, a piece of her thin, brown hair falling into her face. “Last week her social worker came by for her monthly and told Lizzie about a couple who were interested in adopting her. They’d liked the look of her in photos and had already been approved to foster kids, with the potential to adopt.” She smiles at Lizzie. “They stopped by with her social worker and met Lizzie at preschool a couple of days later, and they all hit it off.” Connie glares at me. “There, now you’re up to speed.”

“They really want me?” Lizzie sits up straighter, her eyes alight with hope.

Connie claps her hands together. “They do, congratulations!”

Lizzie starts to cry. My eyes well up a bit—I’m going to miss her—but I blink quickly.

Jamie turns from the wall to stare out the window behind Connie. “May I be excused?” she mutters.

“You’ve got homework to do?” Connie asks.

“Tons.”

“Go on, then.

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