A Place To Call Home

  ***

  Officer Whittaker dropped them back at Canterbury an hour later. They said good bye (after Ron had thanked him for the hundredth time for letting him sit on the highway patrol motorbike) and Officer Whittaker promised to keep them updated on the Smolinski's and to let them know when they had to speak to the Prosecution.

  Back inside, one of the caregivers (Tracy) fixed them some macaroni and cheese for lunch and explained to them that the other kids were all at school, but would be returning around four o'clock.

  After they'd cleaned their plates, Ron and Sarah channel surfed in the den for awhile, before finally deciding to build card houses.

  "Look how tall mine is!" Ron exclaimed after they'd been at it for roughly an hour.

  "Not bad, little brother. See if you can add one more here and another one there."

  Ron did as she suggested and the whole thing came tumbling down.

  "Sair!"

  "Don't freak out! I'll help you re-build it."

  By three-thirty both Ron and Sarah were grumpy and tired of building card houses. They put the cards away and decided to explore, peaking in closets and exploring cubby holes until the other kids began returning home.

  Dawn attended a special school only a few blocks from Canterbury so she was home first. Gail had been out running errands and had picked her up (normally one of the caregivers did this).

  "Hi Ron. Hi Sarah. How did things go with Officer Whittaker?" she asked as she came in the door, her hands gripping a dozen bags while she ushered Dawn inside.

  Ron answered first. "It was awesome! First we went and told everything we knew about Hank and Gloria - and then Greg let me sit on his highway patrol motorbike!"

  Gail did her best to look enthusiastic. "Really? Wow!"

  Ron was all aglow. "Yeah, it was so awesome."

  "And for you? Was it just as awesome?" asked Gail with a smile, turning to Sarah.

  Sarah shrugged. "So-so. He said it was good information and that they should be able to keep Hank and Gloria locked up until the trial date."

  "I sure hope they do."

  "Me too."

  Their conversation was interrupted by shouting from the kitchen. "No! Dawn! We told you yesterday not to climb on the counter. Please get down, before you hurt yourself."

  "Oh, goodness. Has she already gotten into something, Tracy? We've hardly been back for thirty seconds."

  Gail, followed by Ron and Sarah, went into the kitchen to investigate. Tracy, speaking gently, grabbed Dawn and helped her down from the counter beside the sink.

  "Over here, Dawn!" said Sarah enthusiastically, hoping to draw her out of the kitchen.

  The girl smiled lovingly and ran quickly towards Sarah. Too quickly.

  Sarah and the others laughed as Dawn bowled into her. Dawn was heavy and Sarah couldn't help but fall down.

  "Sorry," said Dawn, straightening her glasses which were sitting rather askew on her face.

  She yanked on Sarah's arm, trying to help her, and Sarah stood up as quickly as she could to prevent her arm from being pulled from its socket.

  She's strong.

  "Okay, Dawn," said Gail. "It's time to settle down now. How about we read a book with Tracy?"

  "Okay. But I'm choosing the book."

  "Sure."

  Tracy smiled and took Dawn by the hand. Sarah watched them go into the den to select a book.

  "Okay you two," said Gail after she'd hung up her jacket and bag by the door. "How about we go to my office and select a school for both of you. I'd like to get you registered tomorrow."

  - 16 -

  THE WEEKS GO BY

  The weeks passed quickly at Canterbury. By the first week of November, Ron and Sarah were fully adjusted to their group home and slowly adjusting to their respective new schools - Forest Park Elementary for Ron and Norman Bethune High School for Sarah. The weather had gotten colder by then and Sarah found she needed her winter jacket in the mornings (Canterbury House - via Child Services - provided all the kids with good quality, donated, winter clothing).

  While things hadn't gotten worse with Crystal, Sarah still kept her guard up whenever she was around. On this particular morning, Ron and Sarah found themselves alone with Crystal in the kitchen. The caregiver shifts were just changing over and Gail hadn't yet arrived. Ron was seated at the table and had just finished pouring himself a bowl of cereal.

  "Sair, can you bring me the milk?"

  "Sure."

  As she made for one of the two fridges, Crystal cut in front of her and blocked her path.

  "What are you doing?" she asked with a sneer.

  "I'm going to the fridge to get some milk for my little brother," answered Sarah matter-of-factly.

  "You gotta give me something first."

  Sarah tried to move around her, but Crystal moved wherever she did.

  "What the hell is your problem!?"

  Crystal looked her in the eye and a small smile played across her face. "I want that pretty necklace you have on. Give me that necklace and then you can have your precious milk."

  "This necklace belonged to my mom you little - "

  "Girls, is there a problem here?" asked Tracy, suddenly appearing behind them.

  "Sarah won't let me get by," Crystal whined. "All I want to do is go and get ready for school."

  "Sarah - move so Crystal can get by please," said Tracy impatiently.

  "But I - "

  "Just move."

  Sarah felt her blood begin to boil, but she stepped aside. Crystal nudged her as she walked away and Sarah glared after her.

  "Alright, Ron has ten minutes before his bus comes. Sarah, same for you. Let's get a move on."

  Sarah wanted to protest - to explain that Crystal had been the instigator - but then Trevor came in, followed by the ever-chatty Chandra and Cassandra and with all the ensuing commotion, Sarah decided to leave it be. She'd be keeping closer tabs on Crystal from now on though.