An exotic cocktail and a family

Sarah

She sat staring into her exotic cocktail of Pimms, cola and cold tea.  Lighting another calming cigarette, her life was a mess. What next? She had watched James ripped away from her, destined for foster care.  Looking at the pile of white pills in front of her, taking them would solve her problems. Reaching for the roll of toilet roll next to her, she wiped the string of snot from her nose before mopping her soaking wet face with the back of her hand.

Was taking her life, really the answer? James was five, he had his whole life ahead of him, he didn’t need her. 

As her mobile vibrated, she ignored it.  Not wanting to talk to anybody her sisters name flashed across the screen. She was the last person that deserved her time. Picking up a handful of tablets, this was it. Chucking them in her mouth she grabbed her exotic drink and drank.

Debbie

Our family situation had always been dysfunctional.  Both parents had always worked long hours.  We had come home from school and typically let ourselves in the back door.  Cereal for breakfast and dinner, Jam sandwiches for lunch.  My sister and I are very different.  I always thought we were both survivors, now I’m not so sure. Sarah was attending college studying business and then her life took a new direction.

Sinking into debt, Sarah had been responsible for a series of robberies.  Over the last two years, she had been in and out of police station cells.  Social services had decided my nephew James was not safe in her care.  I was asked to act as a guardian for him but I have no desires to ever be a parent.  I work long hours and unlike our parents I’m not raising a child on jam, bread, cereal, milk and loneliness. Sarah had been angry with me, but a loving foster family is surely the best place for him.

As I arrived at my office, my secretary welcomed me.

“Debbie, a Mrs Haynes has been phoning for you.”

“Mrs Haynes?”

“Here’s her number, and your 10.00 appointment is already here.”

The phone call

It was only 9.30, they were early.   Looking at Lorraine’s scribble I wondered who Mrs Haynes was. Picking up my desk phone, I dialled her number.

“Hello Carol Haynes, Social Services”.

“Hi, this is Debbie Griffiths.”

“Hello, we are needing to talk to you about your nephew James Griffith’s.  Could you please come to the office to see us.”

What had happened now? Should I talk to Sarah?

“Err, when should I come in?”

“Please come as soon as you can”.

“I will be there around 1.00 is that okay?”

I sat back in my chair, was James alright?

Picking up the phone again I wanted to hear Sarah’s voice. I could feel my heart sink as it went to voicemail.  Would we ever be friends again?

Sarah

As Henry arrived downstairs, he hadn’t expected to find his lodger slumped over the kitchen table.  Her exotic cocktail mix pooling on the table next to her. Dialling 999, he felt for her pulse.  Swearing out loud, she was already dead.

Grabbing Sarah’s phone, he searched for Debbie.

Debbie

Sitting with a box of tissues in the social services waiting room my head was pounding.  Phoning Henry Lee back that morning, I hadn’t expected such terrible news.  With no chance of Sarah having James back. Our parents were certainly not having him.  How do you juggle a full-time job as a Solicitor and a small boy?  Surely adoption was the best option.

“Miss Griffiths?”

“Yes, that’s me”, I sniffed.

“Thank you for coming in, we have a problem”.

Sat in the office I stared at the blank yellow walls and then watched Mrs Haynes make me a coffee from her machine.  Placing the cup in front of me, she said,

“I’m sorry to hear about your sister and thank you for coming in in such difficult circumstances.”

Her words felt empty. She seemed more bothered in business than happy families.

“So, what’s happened?”

An upset child

“Today James was upset over breakfast and attacked another child with a knife. The kids are okay but his foster parents are refusing to keep him.  It would mean taking him back into the care services again, more upheaval for him.  What would you like to do?  You are his only relative that might be appropriate to have him.”

James obviously wasn’t happy, but how could I raise a child.  I had never been fun Auntie Debbie.

“I don’t know how to look after a child.”

“Neither does any new mother.  You are an intelligent woman and the closest James has to his mum.  You must seriously consider this.  Please think about it, it’s a big decision but this could be one of the best decisions you ever make.  Children are not easy but they are rewarding”.

Attacking a child with a knife, could I really be a good mum to him?

“Mrs Haynes I will give this some thought and get back to you”.

I thought of my next exotic holiday, having James will change my life.  Did I really have a choice?  If I don’t adopt him I could lose him.  I had lost Sarah it was time to rethink my life.

Today

Lying on my exotic Turkish beach, I watched the beautiful little boy laughing building sand castles.  Life had changed dramatically but being a single parent was more fulfilling then I ever imagined. I missed Sarah dearly and I still felt guilty for not being there when she was depressed enough to take her own life.

We don’t know what our futures hold, but some opportunities are too special to pass by.  I was no longer alone, I had my nephew, now son James, and unlike our parents I knew I was doing a good job.

Written for Blog battle – Exotic

.For more see Blog Battle – Conceal