Restored

“Miss Taylor, my name is Ms. Ann and I am your new case worker. I have reviewed your file, and it seems that we have not found a home that suits you as of yet. Is that correct?” New lady states matter-of-factly.
She has her head tilted sideways trying to make eye contact with me while she talks. In my attempt to hurry along the obvious I nod my head in agreement.
“Is there any particular reason that you felt you needed to leave the Roberts residence?” she continues.
Why bother? I shake my head no and wait for a lecture.
Adin you are supposed to call your case worker if there is a problem. My job is to make sure that you are doing okay, and I can’t do my job if you don’t talk to me…blah, blah, blah.
“Did you want to be moved to the Juvenile Detention Center?” The words asked just as casually as the previous question.
I hate adults who try to manipulate me. Does she really expect me to say yes?
Yes, Ms. Ann I would love to be locked down in a room with twenty other girls who I will have to withstand beatings from on a regular basis until another new girl shows up.
I shake my head no.
“All right then, I have another family who understands your circumstances and has an open room.”
Before she continues she hands me a picture of a couple—my new foster parents.
“This is David and Joan Baldwin. They own a home on Market Street, which is within walking distance to Central High where you will be attending high school.” She pauses and then adds, “They have been foster parents for a better part of 8 years. Any questions?”
I shake my head no again. The longer I’ve been in the foster system the more I’ve come to realize that the details that I use to think were important don’t even really matter. I learned quickly that just because a family can take great care of a dog, doesn’t necessarily mean I’m going to get the same treatment.
“All right then Miss Taylor, I hope that you appreciate what a blessing the Baldwin family can be to you. This will be your last opportunity to stay in a home rather than in a facility until you are eighteen. Once you get settled, you will be meeting with me every three months for updates.”
Great, just great. I nod my head in agreement while my stomach begins to nervously twist in knots.