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“Taylor!” I grin, going over and hugging her.
She seems surprised but happy as she wraps her arms back around me.
“Kellin! You look great.” She grins, holding me at arms length so she can examine me.
“Thank you.” I smile.
“Boys, where were you? I was worried. Vic, your phone is off.” Mama says.
“We went to the movies. I turned my phone off before the movie started.” Vic explains and Mama smiles widely.
“Oh that’s fantastic. Good thinking taking Kell to the movies. I was worried he’d be bored all day.” Mama grins. “What movie did you go see?”
“Happy Feet two.” I chime in.
“That’s nice.” Mama nods. “Vic, can you come help me set the table? Dinner almost ready.”
“Sure thing.” Vic chirps and I see a happy sparkle in Mama’s eyes.
They leave the room, leaving me alone with Taylor.
“Take a seat Kell.” She grins and I sit down next to her. “You seem to have settled in well.”
“I have.” I grin. “I really like it here. You were right. Everything was really scary at first and a lot of things still are but it’s so much better than living with my parents.”
She gives me an admiring look.
“I’m so proud of you Kellin. You’ve come a lot further than I thought you would have. When I picked you up from the hospital, you were too scared to let me touch you and now you’ve just greeted me with a hug.” Taylor grins.
“I couldn’t have progressed so much if it wasn’t for Mama, Papa and Vic. They’re all so kind.” I explain.
“I told you that you were in good hands.” Taylor beams. “So are you happy to stay here? We can put you somewhere else if you want.”
“No. I’m really happy here. H-how long am I staying here exactly?” I ask, something that I’ve been wondering a lot.
“Until you’re eighteen. Then you’re free to decide where you want to go. Of course unless you change your mind about staying here or something happens and you have to be removed.” Taylor explains.
“Why would I have to be removed?” I ask confused.
“If you get hurt or something and it’s not deemed safe here for you then we’d have to find you a different home. I doubt that would happen though.” She explains and I nod.
“So if I wanted to, I could stay here forever with Mama and Papa and Vic?” I ask hopefully and she nods.
“Yes Kells. Vivian and Victor Sr. are your foster parents. They’re your legal guardians. They can adopt you and they can become your actual parents but there wouldn’t be much point to that since you’re nearly eighteen.” Taylor explains.
“Food is served.” Papa announces walking into the room.
“Come on Kiddo. Lets eat.” Tay chirps and I nod eagerly.
I wonder what Mama cooked today.
We go into the kitchen and I take my usual seat next to Vic. Taylor sits across from me. I glance at Vic smiling and he smiles back before I feel him take my hand and links his fingers with mine.
Every gesture he makes towards me is just magical. Every smile, every look, every touch, everything; it’s just magical.
Papa places a plate in front of me. I look down at the steak and swallow hard as I get bad memories.
One time when I was around twelve, Father made me cook him dinner. I had never cooked anything in my life so naturally, I messed up. I burnt the steak and he got really mad. He pushed me onto the stove and I got third degree burns on my right arm.
I feel Vic squeeze my hand, snapping me out of the memory. He gives me a concerned look. I just smile and give him a nod, letting him know that I’m okay.
He drops my hand and we both begin eating. I keep glancing at the burn scar that covers most of my arm. I hate it. I hate all my scars. They make me feel ugly and gross.
Taylor starts talking to Mama and Papa quietly but I can hear her. I’m pretty sure Vic’s listening too.
“He said he’s very happy here. His progress is fantastic. I’ve never seen someone with his extent of neglect and abuse bounce back so quick. Have you taken him to therapy yet?” Taylor asks confusing me. What’s therapy?
“No, not yet. We thought we’d give him some time to settle in first.” Papa responds.
“That’s fine. But you need to get him in soon. Not only will it help with his mental health but it might help with his parents sentencing. We’re trying to get them put away for as long as possible. With a therapist’s report showing how much their actions have affected Kellin, it could help his case.” Taylor explains.
I hardly understand what they’re talking about. Maybe I could ask Vic later.
“How long do you think they’re going to get?” Papa asks.
“We’re aiming for a life sentence each. I’m optimistic that that’s what they’re going to get. If not, we’re looking at fifteen years minimum. Two life sentences would be ideal though, in my opinion.” Taylor explains.
“They deserve to rot in prison.” Mama says bitterly.
“Is Kellin going to have to go to the hearing?” Papa asks.
“We’re trying to avoid that as much as possible but it looks likely. If he does need to go to court, his parents won’t be in the same room. He won’t have to see them. We’re also going to need to get a proper statement from him. Along with more physical examinations. The next few months are going to be tough for Kellin but once it’s over, he’s free to live his life the way he should have.”
“That sounds reasonable.” Papa nods.
“And moving on to a different topic, I’ve recently gone through Kellin’s medical history and there’s barely anything there. Basically, he has never gone to a paediatrician, an orthodontist or an optometrist. He had a quick check up at the hospital but they only treated wounds from that present day. He hasn’t had any of his vaccinations and if we’re not careful he could get really sick. I’m shocked that he’s not sick already.” Taylor explains sounding worried.
“Crap, we’ll get on top of that right away.” Mama mutters.
I tune out of the conversation deciding that I’ve heard enough. Everything is so confusing. And I don’t like that they’re talking about me like I’m not here. I feel like I’m out of the loop. I feel like everyone always knows what’s going on except for me.
Dinner goes by fast and afterwards Taylor has to go.
I give her a big hug feeling sad that she has to go already.
“When will I see you again.” I ask.
“Five months and I’ll come back for another check up. Then a month after that it’ll be the trial and you’ll see me then. But hopefully I’ll be able to see you again sooner than that.” She explains.
“Taylor, what’s a trial?” I ask feeling a little scared.
“It’s nothing you have to worry about yet, Kiddo.” She says and I nod.
“Thank you for doing so much me.” I whisper.
“No need to thank me. If you need anything else, I’m just a phone call away.” She says and I nod.
She then leaves and Mama and Papa turn to Vic and I.
“You both have school in the morning so I suggest you both go to bed.” Mama says and I nod.
“Goodnight Mama.” I smile hugging her.
“Goodnight Kell.” She murmurs. “I want to see a big smile in the morning. Tomorrow’s going to be a good day.”
I smile and nod before pulling away and giving Papa a hug.
“Goodnight Papa.” I smile.
“Goodnight Kellin. Sleep well.” He says before ruffling my hair.
Vic and I begin to walk away but Vic stops and turns back around. I watch him as he wraps his arms around Mama. She lets out a silent gasp but is quick to wrap her arms back around Vic. She holds him tightly with tears in her eyes.
“Goodnight Mama.” Vic whispers.
“Goodnight Sweetie.” She whispers back.
After a while, they let go, much to Mama dismay. Vic then hugs Papa who looks just as shocked as Mama did.
“Night Papa.” Vic whispers.
“Goodnight Vic.” Papa squeaks out.
With that Vic lets go of him and he walks back to me. He has tears in his eyes and no matter how hard I try to meet his gaze, I can’t. I follow him up to our room and he lies down on his bed. I get the sense that he wants space so I begin to get into my bed.
“Hey, what do you think you’re doing? Get your cute little booty over here.” Vic says making me grin.
I slide into Vic’s bed and he wraps his arms tightly around me. I cup his face and kiss him softly.
“You’re so cute.” Vic murmurs against my lips making me blush.
“You’re really hot.” I compliment.
Vic blushes and laughs nervously.
“Really?” He says clearing his throat.
“Yep.” I beam.
“Wow. No one’s ever really said anything like that to me before.” He murmurs shyly.
I frown run my thumb along his cheek.
“Why not?” I mumble confused.
I understand why no one has ever said that kind of stuff to me before but I was basically locked away my whole life. Vic hasn’t and he’s really attractive so I don’t understand why no one has called him hot.
“I don’t know, no guy has ever seen me that way.” Vic frowns sadly.
“Good.” I grin making Vic give me a confused look. “If they had then maybe we wouldn’t be together right now.”
Vic smiles at me and kisses my nose.
“That is true. I’m glad I have you.” Vic murmurs.
We fall into a silence and that leaves me thinking about earlier.
“Vic, what was Taylor talking about earlier? What’s a trial?” I ask.
“Kell, I don’t think I’m supposed to tell you that.” Vic sighs.
“Please.” I plead. “I’m tired of everyone talking about me and not telling me anything.”
He gives me a sympathetic look and nods.
“A trial is where they decide whether someone is guilty or not for a crime. Then they decide what they’re going to do with that person; how long they’re going to prison for or if they’re going to go free.” Vic explains. “In this instance, that person is your parents.”
“Why my parents?” I ask confused.
“Because of what they did to you.” Vic says like it’s obvious.
“What did my parents do?” I ask surprised.
“Kellin, they hurt you and neglected you your entire life.” Vic points out.
“It wasn’t that bad.” I murmur. “It wasn’t as nice but I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.”
“Kellin, my parents have never laid a hand on me. They’ve never done anything to hurt me. They’ve never even said anything that hurt me.” Vic sighs and my jaw drops.
“Like never?” I question shocked.
“That’s how most parents are, Kell. That’s how your parents should have been.” Vic nods.
“Oh.” I whisper, my eyes filling with tears.
This new information is overwhelming.
“None of this was supposed
to happen to you.” Vic whispers, wiping away a tear that falls down my cheek. “They have to pay for what they’ve put you through. That’s why they’re having a trial. They’re going to go to jail for a long time.”
I start crying harder and Vic shushes me as he kisses the tears that fall down my face.
“Why did this happen to me? Why wasn’t my life like everyone else’s? Why does everyone else get a happy life but me?” I sob.
“The world’s just not fair Darling. I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that. I wish I could make it all better.” Vic sniffs after he wipes his own tears away.
I sniffle, calming myself down. I stare at Vic’s tears that are glistening in his eyes. He’s crying for me. I push my lips to his, kissing him slowly.
“Thank you.” I whisper.
“For what?” He murmurs confused.
“For not being like them. For giving me a better life. For making me happy.” I sniff.
He smiles a beautiful smile and holds me tightly.
“I told you, I’m never going to let you get hurt ever again.” Vic whispers.
I smile lightly and nuzzle my face in his chest.
“Get some rest Darling. We’ve got school tomorrow.” Vic murmurs.
I pull back and kiss him again, loving the butterflies that enter my stomach.
“Goodnight Vic.” I smile.
“Night Kell.” He replies and that’s the last thing I remember before falling asleep.
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