RAISING FOUR

t h r e e

Kimberly

Here we are, back at the agency. What is this our eighth time? They are going to end up telling us this family that we're staying with has fostered many children, they are so loved by the agency and children, but then when we go there it's going to be a shit show.

Something is always wrong with families like that.

Let's not forget that 90% of these people who sign up to foster or adopt don't even want teenagers so we end up at the home for one night then in a girls' home, and lastly back with our mom.

It's an endless cycle and I'm so sick of it. Just keep us home if we're going to keep doing that.

Carolina's door opened and she came out smiling brightly. "So girls I found the perfect woman! I made sure she was open to the idea of permanency because I want you girls to have a forever home." Oh? Forever home?

I looked at my sisters for their reactions but they were doing well hiding them.

"Her name is Quinn. She's younger and I think that will be good for you girls. She was so excited when I was telling her about you girls." She beams and I felt the corner of my mouth twitch.

She leans back into her office and grabs her bag before shutting and locking her door. "We have to leave now cause she doesn't live that close." We gather our stuff, following Carolina.

"Does she live close enough that we go to the same school?" Carolina shakes her head, "No, Quinn lives in Crestlin." My eyes widened.

Crestlin is such a beautiful city. Even the sidewalk. All surrounding cities go to Crestlin during Christmas for the vibes and tree lighting ceremony.

As we drove through the city for the last time I'm happy to leave all this behind. Unlike my sisters I had nothing going on here, they were in sports, extracurriculars, and had friends... not me. I was kind of just existing in this place.

It never really felt like home to me.

I'm hoping in Crestlin I can find myself and get involved in something.

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We pulled up to a gated community and I couldn't help but turn to my sisters with my jaw dropped. We have lived with a lot of people but we never were with a family that lived in a gated community.

My sisters were finally expressing some emotions, I could see the curiosity in their faces.

"Who are you here to see?" The man at the booth asked. "Quinn Madison." He goes in his booth and a few seconds later the gate opens up.

Quinn Madison is a pretty name... Kimberly Madison? Hmm not bad.

The houses in the neighborhood have me and my sisters awestruck. The exterior of these houses was gorgeous, I can only imagine the inside.

I thought I could only dream of living in a house like this and here I am. Even if it's temporary I'm okay with that.

We pull over in front of a house and a woman is standing at the door with a bright smile on her face.

As we get closer she gets more and more prettier. I could see the shine in her eyes as she looked at me and my sisters.

"I'm Quinn, welcome girls. Please remove your shoes. " She steps aside and lets us walk in. I felt embarrassed as we lined our shoes up next to her Chanel sneakers. Ours were old, run-down, and Walmart brand while