The weeks flew past in a blur. She wasn't being treated any better and it was because they felt she felt she was better, different from them.
It irked her, but she said nothing. Ashton and Nikolle had drifted far from her and she was alone. Well, not exactly alone. She had the books and the flowers.
She was grateful to Alaska for helping her speech and writing. She was a voracious reader, she'd spend any little time availed to her curled up in a corner with a book in her hands. That was the only way she ever crossed paths with Alaska. Alaska loved to read too, and she was very happy that she had someone she could share that passion with.
"Family meeting", Lisa called out and clapped twice.
She looked up from the book in her hands and stared at Alaska.
She shrugged.
"What's the matter Lisa?" Lisa didn't respond to her question.
She waited until they were complete.
"What has she done this time?", Atlas scowled.
She shrunk back into the couch.
Alaska squeezed her thigh comfortingly. "This isn't about A. Right Lisa?"
"Indeed", Lisa said and her frown turned to a beautiful smile. "We'll be having guests tomorrow. A beautiful couple is looking to adopt a child".
There was a round of gleeful gasps and cheers.
Lisa chuckled. " So I need you all to glam this place and yourselves up".
" But school tommorow?", Noelle asked.
" You'll go to school. They'll be here by the time you get back". More cheers. " Sooooo", Lisa drawled, " I need you to get the place ready. Okay?"
" Sure thing momma", Atlas said enthusiastically.
" So Noelle, Alaska, I need you both to clean up the house. Thoroughly. Atlas, you have the lawn. Lucius, you and Nikolle have to clean up the rooms and the kitchen. Ashton, you and me baby".
They all cheered and ran off to handle their respective assignments.
" What about me Lisa?", she asked in a shrill voice.
" You will stay out of the way and not screw this up for any of these kids who that lovely would want. I can't have a klutz fucking things up".
Lisa rose and walked outta the living room.
She shrunk back into the couch as she walked past her. Her lips trembled and tears rolled down her face and onto her book.
****
"Amnesia girl!", Atlas roared, "The bus is gonna be here soon".
"Get your lazy ass outta that house before I come get it", Noelle added.
She skipped outta the house and slowed down as the glares of her siblings were leveled at her. " I'm sorry", she said meekly.
" Would you shut your goddamn trap? You always make us late", Atlas cut her off.
" Atlas stop", Alaska chided her brother.
" Are you taking her side because she's a fellow reader?"
"Atlas calma. At least we didn't miss the bus today", Noelle said softly and patted his shoulder and pointed at the bus coming up into view.
The bus slowed down to a halt and Noelle picked up Ashton as Nikolle entered, then Lucius, Atlas, Alaska and then she and Ashton.
"Aren't you coming?", Noelle asked harshly and then she clambered up into the bus.
****
"You know when you described your house to me, I didn't believe it. I'm glad I just had to see it to believe it".
"I guess that's how it is Mrs. Ledger", Lisa said.
Mrs. Ledger gave her an unimpressed look. "I've told you to call me Staysie. I call you Lisa, so what's hard with calling me that? My husband's Noah".
"I'm just trying to be polite".
"That's nonsense. We're about the same age".
Lisa smiled and nodded.
Staysie stared around the house. "I love how you used flowers to decorate everywhere".
Lisa frowned. The flowers weren't there before she left this morning. "That wasn't me. I think it's one of the kids".
A, she thought.
" Well, I'd love to see that child. We just might adopt him or her. I love flower decor so very much".
No.
Lisa's heart sped up in her chest.
That brat can't be adopted before any of the rest, she's been here for roughly four months.
" Please sit", Lisa urged them and sat as they did. " What can I offer you? The kids made milkshakes".
Staysie clapped happily. " We'll have that".
" Alright", Lisa said and rose to go to the kitchen. She came back almost immediately with the milkshakes, and she handed it to to them.
" Thank you", they said.
" So", Lisa began and eased herself into the couch, " What's your type? As in what're you looking for in your child?"
Staysie smiled with a dreamy look on her face. " I need, we need a young child, not too young though. Maybe around the ages 9 to 12".
Lisa nodded thoughtfully. " Any gender in mind?"
Noah shook his head. " We're okay with any child. As long he or she is smart and responsible".
Lisa nodded and opened her mouth to speak but was cut short as Nikolle burst through the door. "They're home", Lisa announced.
"Hi Lisa", Nikolle said and smiled at the guests.
"Where're your siblings?"
" Oh they're…"
Atlas ran through the door, laughing and teasing his sister for being slow. He turned around and his eyes widened. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't…"
" That's okay", Staysie said.
Alaska was the next to walk in with Noelle and Ashton holding hands, then Lucius.
" Alright kids, this are the Ledgers".
Staysie smiled. "I'm Staysie. You can call me that and my husband's Noah".
" Nice to meet you", they chorused.
"Why don't y'all introduce yourselves?", Lisa prompted.
Atlas was the first to go,then his twin sister and Noelle and Nikolle, Ashton and Lucius.
"I'm very pleased to meet all of you, right Noah?"
Noah smiled and nodded.
" You guys can go and freshen up", Lisa said and they turned to climb up the stairs, chattering along the way.
" Such beautiful kids", Noah commented.
" You like anyone?", Lisa asked.
" Yeahhh, Lucius. He fits our requirements".
Lisa smiled widely. " And you're gonna love him. His the smartest kid in the house, school, everywhere. A natural born genius".
Noah gave an impressed look and nodded.
Staysie wasn't enthralled. " You said you have seven kids? All I saw was six, where's the last one?"
" Oh she's a bit of a troublemaker. Loves to sit by herself with the flowers and read".
" That doesn't sound very troubling to me", Noah said.
" And she's a bit of a klutz".
" Can we see her? Get to know her?"
" No. Not yet. She's still in school. Book club meeting".
" Oh", Staysie said deflatedly," When can we meet her?"
"She's gonna be available on Friday".
Staysie smiled. "Then it's settled. Our next meeting will be on Friday. We've gotta go now. See you Friday", Staysie said and stood up alongside her husband.
Lisa walked them both to the door.
"Thanks for the milkshakes. Tell the kids we enjoyed it".
"Will do", Lisa smiled and closed the door after them. She ground her teeth in anger and plopped on the couch.
She stared up at them as they filed into the living room.
"How'd it go?", Noelle asked.
Ashton went over and climbed into Lisa's lap.
"They're coming back Friday. Lucius, Nikolle, I need you both to get ready for Friday".
I can't let that girl get adopted before my sweet Lucius.