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When I wake up, I’m still in Vic’s bed but he’s no longer next to me. I can hear the TV downstairs and muffled talking. And I can smell breakfast.
I’m a little disappointed. I wanted to just lie in bed and cuddle with Vic all day. But I guess I do miss Mama and Papa and I’m happy that Vic and I don’t have to hide our relationship anymore.
I get out of bed and try to change into a clean pair of jeans but instantly notice that my butt and thighs are sore. I decide to just stay in my sweatpants.
I go downstairs and find Mama talking very seriously on the land-line. I give her a quick kiss on the cheek which makes her smile then I walk past her into the living room where Vic is sitting on the sofa while he talks to Papa. I don’t pay much attention to what they’re saying, instead I go straight over to Vic and climb onto his lap, laying across him.
He kisses my head then goes back to talking to Papa.
“If she wants me to testify then I’ll do it. But it’s for her and not for me. And Kellin’s not testifying. He doesn’t need to go through that again.” Vic says to Papa and I’m confused.
“Are we going back to court?” I ask, through a yawn.
“You’re not. But Nicole is taking Alex to court for hurting her and she’s asking me to to testify.” Vic tells me.
“But shouldn’t I do it? I saw him hit her.” I frown confused.
“I don’t want you going unless you absolutely need to.” Vic tells me and although I’m grateful, he doesn’t need to shelter me so much.
I don’t argue though, I know there’s no winning when Vic has his mind set on something.
“I’ll go check on breakfast.” Papa says then leaves the room.
“My butt hurts.” I tell Vic once Papa’s gone.
He frowns and starts rubbing circles on it.
“I’m sorry, baby.” he apologizes.
“Its okay. It was worth it.” I giggle and he grins.
He pushes his lips to mine softly then just smiles at me.
“So you’re comfortable with that? Like you don’t regret it or anything, do you?” he asks, taking my hand gently.
“Nope. When I’m feeling better, we should do it again.” I murmur and he grins.
“I think so too. Maybe next time we’ll do it in bed because my knees are killing me.” he chuckles and I giggle.
I kiss the back of his hand and movie closer to him, if possible. Papa comes back into the room with waffles and ice-cream which makes me excited. I’m pretty sure waffles and ice-cream is my favorite breakfast food. He hands me my plate and sits Vic’s next to him, seeing as his hands are occupied with holding me.
We start eating and soon Mama comes into the room.
“Nicole said that she’ll contact you about the court date.” Mama sighs seeming exhausted as she sits down on the sofa next to Papa.
Vic just nods and continues eating.
“So,” Mama begins. “I’ve been looking at schools and I found one you might like. I called the principal this morning and told him about a few of my concerns and he said that the school has a significant amount of LGBT students and there is yet to be any reports of bullying related to that. What do you think about that, Mijo?”
“That sounds nice, Mama.” Vic smiles.
Her words excite me. I really can’t wait to go back to school and I’m sure school will be a lot better now without Alex and his friends.
I finish my waffles and cuddle into Vic, wrapping my arms around his waist and resting my head on his chest while he still eats. He smiles down at me and I smile contently.
“Can I watch a movie?” I ask.
“Of course.” he chirps. “What do you want to watch? Aladdin?”
It’s sweet that he’s suggesting it even though he’s probably sick of it.
“No, I want to watch that one you told me to watch. Your favorite movie.” I tell him, having forgotten the name.
“Wayne’s World?” he says and I nod.
He grins and sits his waffles aside before he moves out from under me. He gets up and puts the movie on before sitting back down.
I climb back on top of him and nuzzle my face into his neck. He kisses my head again as his arms slide around my waist.
“You boys usually this cozy?” Mama asks seeming amused.
“Yeah, is that okay?” I ask her.
“Of course it is. I’m just amazed at how long you managed to keep your relationship a secret.” she chuckles.
“It was really hard.” I admit.
“Are you two sexually active?” she ask and my eyes go wide as I feel my cheeks flush.
“Mama,” Vic whines.
“What? I just want to know if you’re being safe. Sex is completely natural and I want you both to feel comfortable talking about it. Your father and I made you–”
“Okay, yep, I get it. We’re being safe.” Vic interrupts abruptly.
“Good. That’s all I wanted to know.” Mama laughs.
We all go back to watching the movie after that and I feel unbelievably content. It’s so relieving to be able to have my family together and happy. It’s what I’ve been waiting for. And I don’t think anything could ever take away the happiness I feel right now.
The doorbell suddenly rings. Vic pauses the movie as Papa gets up to answer it. There’s quiet talking then Papa waves Mama over. I get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“Vic, who’s that?” I whisper, wondering if he knows.
He holds me tighter and kisses my temple.
“I don’t know, baby.” he whispers back.
The longer they stand there and talk, the more worried I get.
“What do you mean? I don’t understand.” Mama screeches, her voice becoming suddenly louder.
They go back to whispering but I’m left in a state of panic at Mama’s distress. Whatever this is it can’t be good.
“I love you no matter what, okay?” Vic whispers to me and I nod. He seems anxious as well.
“I love you too.” I whisper back.
He kisses me and gives me a loving smile which helps me relax a little.
Mama and Papa step aside and I’m relieved to see Taylor but then a police officer follows behind her. He’s very tall and he looks very strong.
Tay walks over to me then kneels in front of me. Her saddened eyes bring back my anxiety.
“Kellin, you need to come with me.” she says softly, placing her hand on my leg.
I look at her confused.
“Where are we going? Can Vic come?” I ask looking from Vic to her. I notice that Vic looks distraught and I can tell he’s biting back tears.
“Kell, do you remember when I first brought you here and you asked if you would stay here forever?” she asks and I nod.
“You said yes.” I remind her.
“Unless…” she trails off so I can finish her sentence.
I think back to the day then come to a sudden realization. I bring my hand up to the sore bruise on my cheek and shake my head.
“Unless I get hurt. But it wasn’t Mama and Papa.” I say urgently. “Vic tell her it wasn’t them.”
I turn to Vic and he has a few stray tears on his cheeks.
“Tay it was just some stupid kid. Please, don’t do this.” he whispers pleadingly. I don’t know what he means by ‘this’. I’m having a hard time comprehending what she’s trying to tell me.
Taylor looks from me to Vic sympathetically.
“If I had a choice then I wouldn’t do this. But I have to abide by the law. I’m so sorry.” she says softly. “Kellin, please come with me.”
That’s when it hits me, she’s taking me away from my family.
“No!” I yell, tears welling up in my eyes and anxiety in my stomach. “I won’t go! You can’t make me!”
“Kellin, just go, baby.” Vic whispers softly then he kisses my temple, letting his lips linger.
His words confuse me.
“No!” I yell again, then I start sobbing as I hold onto Vic tighter.
Taylor looks at the police officer that came with her and then nods. He steps forward and grabs my arms, prying them off Vic and then he pulls me away from him, all the while I kick and scream.
“Kell, calm down.” Tay says but I still struggle against the strong man.
“Vic, help me.” I whimper.
He gives me a pained, helpless look.
“Wait. Can we have a minute?” Vic sniffs, standing to his feet.
Tay looks at the police officer and nods. He releases me and I run back to Vic’s arms. I wrap my arms around him tightly and he holds me back.
“You need to go, baby. I love you so fucking much. And I’ll get you back, I promise. I won’t break this one.” he assures me.
“I don’t understand, don’t you want me?” I choke out. Why is he just letting her take me.
“That’s not it, Darling. Of course I want you. But I can’t fight the law. You need to go.” he whispers, his voice shaking as he tries not to cry.
“But I don’t want to go. Everything is supposed to be okay now.” I sob.
“I know, Darling.” Vic whispers. “I wish there was something I could do. But there isn’t. But I’ll find a way. I will.”
“No, I’m not letting go.” I choke out.
He sighs and kisses my forehead. He then removes my arms from around his neck. He holds my hands and brings them up to his lips.
“I love you.” he whispers then he pushes me away from him.
I fall into the arms of the police officer and he picks me up.
“No!” I scream but he just keeps dragging me out of the house. “Mama! Papa! Help me! Papa! Do something! Please!”
But he doesn’t do anything. Neither of them do. They all follow helplessly as I’m carried outside kicking and screaming.
Taylor opens the door to the police car and just as I’m about to be shoved in, I realize this might be the last time I ever see my family, my mama, my papa and my Vic.
Mama’s arms are wrapped around Vic as he cries. She’s crying too and even Papa has tears in his eyes.
“I love you!” I yell to them, my voice cracking.
Then I’m pushed in the back of the car and the door is slammed shut. I bang on the window, still sobbing hysterically but it’s no use, the car takes off and I watch as everything I’ve ever loved disappears from sight.
I spend the entire car ride screaming hysterically until I’ve cried myself hoarse.
The car soon comes to a stop and by that time, my screams have turned to soft, yet painful, wails.
“Why don’t you go in and talk to Matilda?” Tay says to the officer who soon gets out of the car.
Tay turns to me and places her hand on my knee but I flinch away. Deep down I know this isn’t her fault but I still feel like she broke my trust. She retracts her hand and swallows dryly.
“Kellin, you have to understand that I had nothing to do with this. I really didn’t want to take you away from them.” she explains to me, her voice gentle and loving.
“Then why did you?” I choke out angrily.
“It’s my job. And if I didn’t do it, someone else would have. I wanted it to be me so this was easier on you.” she says softly.
“This isn’t easy at all.” I sob.
“I know, sweetie.” she whispers then she clears her throat. “This is where you’re going to be staying. It’s a group home. There will be other boys here in similar situations.”
I finally bring myself to look up at the building. The bricks are a dull brown and the garden is dead. There’s a dark cloud lingering in the sky above the house, making it seem not inviting at all.
“How long will I be here? When do I get to go back home?” I whisper but I think I already know the answer.
“You’ll stay here until I can find you a new foster home. You wont be going back to live with Mama and Papa. I’m sorry, Kell.” Tay apologizes again.
I look back at her and she really looks hurt. I guess I can’t blame her for this.
“So I’ll never see them again?” I whimper.
“I’m sure they’ll do everything in their power to get you back home. But I can’t promise you anything.”
“Do you think it’ll work?” I ask her, sniffing as I look back at the ugly building.
“I think they’ll stop at nothing until you’re back with them.” She sounds unsure as she speaks though.
Her words aren’t much but they’re enough to give me hope and that hope is all I have right now.
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