Janice parked in front of a well groomed house. Even though it was a little farther from the downtown area, Serenia thought she might like living here, but she instantly regretted that thought, because she missed her dad.
She looked at Janice, "Will I be able to see my dad?"
Janice hesitated, "Yes...but there won't be any physical contact."
Tears came to Serenia's eyes, but she gulped them down and grabbed her bags. Janice knocked on the door loudly and with authority.
A middle-aged woman answered the door. She was plump with beady eyes, and a fake friendly smile. Serenia stood in front of the door, not willing to go any further.
"Come in, come in!" the woman said in a scratchy voice. It sounded like she had been smoking for years.
Serenia slowly entered the house at Janice's prodding. The house looked as beautiful inside as out, but there was something off about this woman that made Serenia want to run back to Janice's convertible.
"My name is Janette. Let me show you to your room."
"Well, I am going to go. If you need me, just call."
Serenia held onto the card as if it was a lifeline. Janette led her down the stairs to the basement.
Serenia heard the sound of something leaking, and she felt the chill of a draft. Goosebumps rose on her arms as she walked deeper into the basement.
She had always been afraid of the dark, and that is what she told Janette.
"You will get used to it." Janette shrugged her shoulders.
The basement was small and damp. There was a couch with one blanket on it. Across from it, there was a washer and dryer.
There was not even a window. Serenia missed her dad, now more than ever. He would have never allowed her to live under such conditions.
Janette left her to unpack her things, "Dinner is in one hour, you better wash up."
Serenia looked at the couch and put her bags on it. There was a bathroom with a light bulb hanging down. She quickly showered and ran upstairs. She sat down.
"What are you doing? You need to get everyone's dinner for them, and then, while we eat, you clean up the kitchen."
Serenia was confused as Jaentte's husband and son ran down the stairs. Janette glared at her and pointed to the kitchen angrily.
Serenia went to the kitchen, still confused, but she did as she was told and prepared everyone's meal.
She was briefly introduced to Brad, her husband, and Josh, her son, before she was forced back into the kitchen.
Not long after they had eaten, they all retired to the living room to watch T.V., and Serenia was left alone to eat her meager meal.
When she was done, she cleaned her dishes and went downstairs to her room, never feeling more alone in her life.
She sat on the couch and looked at the family album she had brought from home. Surely the court had called her mother to let her know what was going on. It did not take Serenia very long to figure out the truth-her mother didn't want her, either...