Chapter 4: Meet and Greets

We drove for a while longer, and I just stared out the window, watching the sun sink lower as the sky turned orange and purple. My mind ran wild wondering what kind of people this new family would be. What if the house was full of girly stuff? What if the parents were strict? What if the girl my age was cute—because knowing Sabrina, she'd embarrass me the second she got the chance.

My thoughts got cut off when we pulled up to a big white house, way bigger than anything I'd ever lived in. I'd only been to a house this size once, and I'd thought those people were millionaires. Turned out I was just used to living smaller.

We walked up the driveway and onto the porch. Amanda rang the doorbell, and a moment later, a woman opened the door. She was a skinny blonde in her early or mid-thirties, hair in a messy bun, wearing an old band T-shirt and light jeans. She balanced a little blonde boy on her hip like it was second nature.

"Well hey, guys," the woman greeted. "Come in, come in. Hi Amanda, how are you?"

"Oh, you know—doing good. How's the kids?" Amanda answered as we stepped inside. Josie clung to her, and Vicki stayed behind to unload our bags.

"They're good. Brianna just got a Wii so I've been battling her for outside time, and Katie's busy with soccer—she should be home any minute." She adjusted the little boy on her hip. "And Johnny here is practically glued to me." Then she looked down at us and officially introduced herself. "Hi guys, I'm Jenny."

We were too shy to say anything, so Amanda did it for us.

"This is Sabrina, and she really likes My Little Pony."

"Oh good! Katie loves it too—you two will get along great," Jenny said with a smile.

"This little guy is Jacob. He's into Spider-Man."

"My husband Scott loves superheroes. He's a big Wolverine fan," Jenny said, brightening.

"Yeah me too... but I like some DC too," I muttered.

"Oh Scott will love that. He's basically a nerd," she laughed.

As they talked, Vicki came in with the last bags. "I'll be in the car if you need me."

Jenny led us deeper into the house. Sabrina was quieter than usual, which honestly was a relief—no loud comments, no embarrassing jokes. Just shy Sabrina, for once.

Jenny asked Josie's age, and Josie held up three fingers and said, "I'm thwee. An' I wike Josie." Jenny corrected herself and kept the mood warm and gentle. We all sat while a kids show played on the TV. I drifted between watching it and eavesdropping on Jenny and Amanda's adult conversation. I caught my mom's name a few times, which snapped me awake, but nothing made enough sense to give me answers.

Jenny eventually suggested a tour. Sabrina perked up and followed us around. The bathroom, the bedrooms, the basement—where a girl around my age played Wii without even looking up.

"Brianna, these are the new kids staying for a while. Pause it real quick?" Jenny asked.

"What game is that?" Amanda asked.

"Wii Resort. Basketball," Brianna replied.

I tried making conversation. "You got a lot of games?"

"Not yet. I just got it," she said, shy but more interested in getting back to her game.

"And if she wants to keep it, she'll have that reading assignment done before school tomorrow," Jenny warned.

"I did it!" Brianna snapped back.

We went upstairs, leaving her to the game. Jenny showed Sabrina and Josie their room—two beds, two dressers, some books and toys. "We'll get you some things this weekend so it feels like yours," she promised.

Then she showed me the room I'd share with Johnny. His half was toddler-themed; my half had a bed, dresser, and a whole lot of empty space. "He usually crawls into my bed most nights, so it'll mostly feel like your room. And we'll get you some stuff too," Jenny said.

As we headed back to the living room, the front door opened. A man and a girl around Sabrina's age came in laughing until they noticed us. The man hugged Jenny, kissed Johnny's forehead, then held out his hand to me.

I shook it, and he squeezed tight like he was testing me. "Well hello, young man. I'm Scott. You must be Jacob?"

"Uh... yes sir."

"Cut it out with the sir," he laughed. "Just Scott. Or whatever—just don't call me late for dinner."

"But you are late for dinner," Jenny teased. "Your plate and Katie's are in the microwave."

Scott winked at me, and honestly, something about him instantly made me feel safer.

He said hello to everyone in his own goofy way—first Sabrina, then Josie.
"Annnd this little one is... Justina?" he guessed, smiling.
"Josephine," Jenny corrected.
"Ahh, pretty name," he said with a little nod, like he really meant it.

After greeting all of us, he clapped his hands together and said, "Alright, I'm gonna go warm up my dinner," and headed into the kitchen, calling for Katie to join him once she got her gear off.

We settled back in the living room. Katie talked with Sabrina about girl stuff. Brianna sat with her arms crossed, looking irritated—probably because Scott told her she couldn't play Wii in front of guests.

Amanda and Jenny helped everyone unpack. They got Sabrina settled. Josie too. Then they came back with my bag, showing me the clothes and Spider-Man pajamas Amanda picked out. They were actually my style, so I kept nodding.

I kept glancing around the room, trying to get a feel for everything. Then I noticed Brianna staring—not at me, but at the floor near me.

My stomach dropped.

I followed her gaze... and there they were.

Pull-Ups.

Right in the open, sitting in the bag with my pajamas.

Amanda had actually bought them.

And now everyone could see.