"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!" 1 listened as the lady sang over my mother and father. 1 knew this day would come, but never this soon; I'm only thirteen years old and I'm watching a lady sing over my parents caskets. Life is cruel, that's something 1 had to learn early.
Before we get too far into my story, 1 think 1 should introduce my self. My name is Jimadale Rosaline Decker, but you can call me Jimmy (everyone else does). James and Jima used to be my parents, 'tll they got caught up in a gang shooting on their way home from the factory that they worked at.
My family never had much besides each other. Most of our family was either dead or crazy, all from drugs. Both my mom and dad's families had a tendency to addiction. Even Mom and Dad used to be druggies till I came along and they had to dean up their acts. So, I never had much family and now I have none.
So here we are. I'm sitting in the funeral parlor watching the fat lady sing, guess that means it's allover.
1 wonder what's gonna happen to me. Like 1 said, there's no family I got left.
The only person I know that might take care of Ms. Deneli, my next door neighbor. She's old and her husband's been dead tor about thirty years. Her only friends were me, mama, daddy, and her cats. She can't take me though because she hasn't had a job in ten years and lives on a tight budget.
1 have no idea where I'm gonna go. There's been a social worker poking around here ever since 1 got the news. I've got friends who have been in that foster stuff: but 1 know its not for me. They ship you off to who ever might want the money for a while. Mrs. Evan and her husband are nice enough. They have two biological kids and another foster kid. Needless to say, their house is a little cramped. 1 still don't want to be here. The Evans may be friendly, but I know I'm just here so they can get a check. Anna, their other foster kid, says they treat their real kids like gods; we'll be more like some kind of pet.
She was right. We were told we would go to school, eat, and go back to our shared basement bedroom and study 'til bed time; nothing else. I've gotta find someway to get out of here. Do you know how they punish us? They don't feed us a meal.
That's why I've come up with a plan. L used to work at Mr. Aceago's grocery. 1 hope he'll give me my job back. Then, I'll get Ms. Deneli to take me in. All she'll have to do is let me sleep on her couch and I'll pay tor everything.
1 put my plan into action. Like 1 said, the Evans are relatively nice, so 1 told them 1 wanted to phone to my oId neighbor. They said sure as long as my chores were done and it would not be a long distance call.
As soon as 1 got to the phone, 1 shut the door and dialed my number. It rang three
times and then I heard it.
"Hello?"
"Ms. Deneli, it's me. How are you'!"
"Why honey I'm the one who should be askin' you that. How ya holdn' up?"
It's alright, Ms. Deneli. I've got my social worker's number. I'll call her next and give you her number. Then ... "
Just then I heard a knock at the door.
"Jimadale, you need to start wrapping it up, Dylan needs to use the phone too," Mrs. Evans crowed.
"Yes ma'am. I'm almost done .. Five minutes, though."
1 said my goodbye to Ms. Deneli quickly, and then dialed my social worker she
answered after about a ring and a half "Deborah Hamilton."
"Ms. Hamilton, it's Jimmy, Jimmy Decker."
"Oh, hello, is everything ok, dear? I've been meaning to call you."
"Yes, actually 1 have someone willing to adopt me. She wants you to give her a
call. Do you want her number?"
"Sure, but are you sure? It’s being a long process? Who is it?" "Her name is Ms. DeneIi."
'''Deneli? 1 think: 1 remember that name. 1 pulled your parents will. Do you know anything about that?"
"No. Why?"
It appears that this Deneli person was meant to be your guardian. There seems to be a sum of money for her too."
"Really? When do 1 get to go to her then?" "As soon as possible. I'll be there tomorrow."
“I'm fine. 1 need a favor though." “Anything Hun"
“Will you sign the papers that say you adopted me?"
1 heard nothing but silence on the other end. 1 could hear her tapping her fingers.
Tears welled in my eyes that 1 couldn't ignore.
“Please, Ms. Deneli. I need you. These people that they put me with, they're awful. They aren't physically mean, but I'm not even allowed to make friends. They told me not to expect to be here to long. They just have me until they have enough to pay some bill or other off . You gotta help me."
“Honey, you know 1 would if 1 could. 1 just can't afford it. 1 just barely make ends meet with the check 1 get now. I'm sorry."
“I know, but 1 have a plan. Remember how 1 used to help mama and daddy by working at the Grocery? I can get my oId job back. It’ll pay for all my own food and whatever is left over you can have. I'll sleep on your couch and you'll never know I'm there. I promise."
“I don't think it's that simple. What about the Evans? Are you sure they won't want you?"
“Yes, I'm sure. They told me so. I talked to some kids that were in that social worker's office. One said they had stayed with the Evans. 'They said it only gets worse. When they get done with you, they tell the agency that you're a bad seed. Then the agency sends you to awful places."
“Oh dear, what can I do though? I don't even know who to call to even start the process. All know is that I can't let that happen to you.”
Everything after that was a blur. The next thing 1 know, I'm on Ms. Deneli's door step and the necessary papers were signed. Mama always said she would be watching over me. Ya know what? She was right.
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