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“There’s so many flavors. How am I supposed to pick just two?” I say with my mouth agape, staring at all the ice cream flavors. “I want chocolate ripple but I also want boysenberry. But then I want bubblegum and also rocky road.”
Vic chuckles and shakes his head.
“I promise you, I’m going to keep taking you here until you’ve tried every flavor.” He murmurs. “But for now, you get chocolate ripple and rocky road. Then I’ll get bubblegum and boysenberry and we’ll share.”
I attempt to clap my hands excitingly as I nod but it proves difficult due to the sling that’s holding my arm in place.
“You’re so cute.” He breathes, shaking his head as he walks up to the counter.
He tells the lady what we want and she scoops the ice cream into a cone. When she’s finished she hands them to Vic who hands one of them to me while he pays.
When he’s finished we go sit at a table and wait for Mama and Papa to get back from the art store. I thank Vic gratefully for the ice cream and he looks around then he quickly kisses my cheek.
I blush and giggle feeling rather giddy.
He sighs dreamily at me and licks his ice cream. I don’t know what it is about him doing that but it makes me feel weak and weird. I even shudder slightly.
After he’s tried both flavours, he holds the cone up to my mouth. I try both too and decide that I love them all equally.
I feel so lucky to be here right now. Not just now either but forever. I could have been placed with a bad family but I wasn’t. I could have never been taken away from Mother and Father but I was. I’m so lucky. I got put with a caring mom, a caring dad and a wonderful boy who is now my boyfriend. If I knew that this is what would have happened then I would have told the police everything myself.
Mama and Papa soon come to the table and sit across from Vic and I. Mama pulls a book and a set of pencils out of a bag. She hands them to me and I gasp in amazement.
I hug them tightly and grin at Mama and Papa.
“Thank you.” I whisper. “This is the second best thing you’ve ever bought me.”
Papa smiles but gives me a curious look.
“What’s the best?” He asks.
“A bed.” I murmur.
Everyone looks at me shocked and I feel mildly uncomfortable.
“You never had a bed, honey?” Mama asks softly.
“I had a crib when I was little but after I grew too big for that, I had to sleep on the floor.” I murmur.
I feel Vic gently place his hand on my thigh, in what I think is a sympathetic gesture.
“On the carpet?” Papa asks and I shake my head.
“The basement floor was cement.” I explain and I watch Mama and Papa’s face fall even more.
I hate this topic of conversation and I absolutely hate upsetting Mama and Papa so I quickly change the subject.
“Mama, would you like to try some icecream?” I chirp.
“No thank you Honey.” She smiles.
“Would you like some Papa?” I offer.
He shakes his head but gives me a grateful smile.
“We have a busy couple of weeks scheduled for you Kell.” Mama begins and I give her a confused look.
“Busy? How?” I question.
“You have to get an X-ray tomorrow. By the way, why didn’t you tell us your shoulder was hurting?” Mama says concerned.
“I didn’t think it was a big deal.” I shrug. “It doesn’t hurt that much anymore.”
“Well if there’s anything else, anything at all, no matter how insignificant you think it is, let us know.” She explains kindly and I nod.
“As I was saying, you have an x-ray tomorrow. Then at some point you’ll have a therapy appointment–”
“Therapy appointment?” I interrupt.
“Yeah, you’re just going to have to talk to someone for a while.” Mama says but I’m still confused.
“About what?” I ask.
“Mostly about your parents, I assume.” She says and I immediately feel uncomfortable. “Don’t worry, they’re not going to make you talk about something that you don’t want to. But i suggest you do. It’ll really help with the trial.”
I nod in understanding and mentally promise that I’ll give it a go.
“Then you’ll have an appointment with the eye doctor. How is your eyesight? Do you have any problem seeing?”
I shake my head truthfully.
“You’ll have a dentist appointment sometime after that. Are your teeth okay? They don’t hurt or anything do they?” She ask.
I run my tongue along my teeth and I notice the back one hurts a bit. It always kind of hurt but I haven’t really paid any attention to it until now.
“One at the back hurts.” I mumble.
“Show me.” Vic says and I open my mouth, facing him.
He holds my chin gently as he looks into my mouth.
“Might need to get that one pulled.” Vic frowns.
“What does that mean?” I ask as he drops my chin.
“They might have to take it out.” He says.
I don’t like the sound of that so I cover my mouth defensively.
“If you get it taken out then the tooth fairy can collect your tooth.” Mama chuckles seeming like she’s joking but I don’t understand what’s so funny.
“The tooth fairy doesn’t come to me.” I mumble.
Everyone falls silent and looks at me confused.
“Why not, Honey?” Mama questions.
“Mother told me that the tooth fairy doesn’t come to bad kids.” I explain.
She looks at me sadly.
“What about Santa Claus and the Easter bunny?” Papa chimes in.
I shake my head sadly and he sighs.
“I’m sure they’ll come this year Kells.” Mama smiles and my stomach bubbles with excitement.
“Really? Do you really think so?” I ask feeling ecstatic.
“Yeah Kells, I do.” She says seeming a little saddened. “Anyway, after you’re dentist appointment you’ll be back at the doctors. And hopefully sometime this week we’ll go to Jenna and Tay’s house for dinner.” She explains.
“Why do I have to do all these things?” I question curiously.
“Well because most kids have already done it and you have a lot to catch up on. It’s nothing to worry about. We just have to make sure you’re healthy.” She explains.
“I feel like I’ve missed out on so much.” I frown.
“You have.” Papa sighs. “But you’ve got a whole life ahead of you. Its not too late. If there’s anything you want to do, anything you want to try, or any questions you have, don’t be afraid to come to us.”
“Thank you.” I whisper, gratefully.
“Its not a problem Kell.” Papa smiles by I honestly don’t think they understand just how much this all means to me. They’ve done so much for me already. I’d feel bad for asking for anything else.
I feel bad now. I’m not even their kid. Before a month ago, I was a stranger. They took me in and they didn’t have to. They’re truly amazing people and I’m just so grateful.
“Kells, you’re crying, are you okay?” Mama asks.
I wipe the tears that I hadn’t even noticed fall.
“Thank you.” I repeat with more sincerity and Mama just gives me a soft smile and a nod seeming to understand.
—
I begin following Vic up the stairs but Papa stops me.
“Hey Kell, wanna have a little chat?” He asks and I nod, walking back down the stairs.
I’m a little nervous but mostly I’m comfortable. I get that feeling around Mama and Papa. They just make me feel comfortable. From the minute I got here and saw the welcome mat and smelt the homemade food, I felt like I was home. I still feel nervous and awkward from time to time but everything’s getting easier.
After following Papa into the living room, I sit on the sofa and he sits next to me.
“Did your parents explain puberty to you Kell?”
I shake my head not knowing what he’s talking about.
“That’s okay. You’ve already been through most of the changes but I’ll explain it to you so you understand the changes you’ve already gone through.” He explains but I’m still confused.
He chuckles when he sees my expression and rubs my shoulder.
“Okay so you usually start going through puberty at the age nine to thirteen. For some people it happens sooner and for some later.”
He goes on to explain everything I need to know and it clears a lot of things up that I’ve been wondering.
He starts talking to me about erections and then it clicks.
“Hey that’s what I had. A-a boner!” I chime.
“Oh so that’d what sparked this conversation. Did you just wake up with it?” He asks and I nod. “That’s completely normal with boys your age. Sometimes you’ll just get them randomly which can be a pain. It can also be caused by arousal and physical attraction towards someone.”
“Physical attraction?” I question surprised.
“Yeah, you know when you see someone that you want to have sex with.” He explains only raising more questions.
“Sex?”
“Oh boy. This is going to be a long conversation.” He breathes.
—
I walk into the room still thinking over the conversation I just had with Papa.
“Hey, that took a while. Everything okay?” Vic asks from his bed, putting his phone down as I go over to my own bed.
“Do you know where babies come from?” I shudder.
Vic snorts.
“Yes Kellin, I know where babies come from.” He says amused.
I decide to push that thought out of my mind. Gross.
“I think you’re the reason I got the boner.” I shrug and Vic chokes a little.
“What?” He says.
“I find you physically attractive. Have I ever given you a boner?” I ask casually and Vic looks at me shocked.
“Kellin! That’s personal!” Vic snaps.
“Oh I’m sorry.” I apologize.
He chuckles and shakes his head.
“Its fine.” He replies amused.
We lay in silence for a little while until another question comes into mind.
“Hey have you ever had sex?” I ask.
“Kellin!” Vic snaps again.
“Sorry.” I giggle.
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