Free Jumping Puddles by Rachael Brownell

here and now. I’m such a stupid girl. Not an adult—a girl. Blake was right.
    Snapping myself back to reality, I feel the sudden urge to leave. If I don’t allow him time to respond, I won’t be let down again. I’m not willing to risk it. At least not tonight.
    “You look beautiful, Charlie.”
    Halfway down the hallway, Blake’s words stop me dead in my tracks. On the inside, I’m celebrating a victory. I’ve been waiting all night for him to say something nice about my dress.
    Closing my eyes, I feel him approach. He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me back into his chest. There are so many things I want to say, but I can’t seem to find the right words. I’m sick of fighting with him, and I’m ready to start fighting for him. With Emily in the picture now, it looks like it’s time for me to put on my big girl panties.
    Our moment doesn’t last long enough for me. I hear footsteps on the stairs and pull out of Blake’s embrace just as Emily’s head pops into view. Nodding my head at her as I pass, my feet carry me down the stairs, out the front door, and onto the sidewalk. I can still hear voices and music from where I’m standing. Watching as Blake and Emily enter the living room, I say a little prayer. I pray for the strength to fight for him and the will to move forward if things don’t go my way.
    My relationship with Blake is a puddle. I’ve been dipping my toes in it for years, afraid to step in, the fear of being completely consumed too real to imagine. If I want this to work, I have to jump in. Screw fear. Screw the unknown. As long as I remember how to swim, should the puddle pull me completely under, I’ll survive.

 
     
    ONE. MORE. DAY.
    Alice and Scott are taking me out to celebrate tonight. There are things we need to discuss according to them. I’m not sure what’s up, but I have a bad feeling about it. I’m trying to keep a positive outlook, but Alice has been different for the past few weeks. I’m sure everything is going to be fine. Plus, I’ll legally be an adult tomorrow. Finally.
    We’re shown to a booth at the back of the restaurant. Normally, Alice and I will share a side but tonight she scoots in beside Scott. I try not to think too much about it, but it’s nagging at me. After the waitress takes our order, I break the tension that’s surrounding our table. I’m pretty sure the waitress even noticed.
    “So what’s going on? Both of you are acting weird.”
    Looking to Alice before speaking up, Scott says, “There are some legal things we need to discuss, Charlotte. I know this is bad timing, but we have to get it all taken care of before tomorrow.”
    “What kind of legal stuff?”
    “Tomorrow, the state will consider you an adult. Technically, you won’t be a part of the foster care system anymore. Unless you want to be.”
    “I don’t understand. Are you kicking me out?” I push down the lump in my throat as the last word slips off my tongue. I don’t know what I’ll do if they kick me out. I have no money, nowhere to go, and an entire semester before I graduate. What do they expect me to do?
    “No,” Alice practically shouts. Lowering her voice, she continues, “You are always welcome in our home. It’s your home now, too.”
    “I don’t understand, then.”
    “Well,” Scott begins, clearing his throat, “we need you to sign a few papers saying you would like to remain in our care until you graduate. It also means you will remain a ward of the state until then.”
    “Okay. Where are the papers?” I don’t have to think about it. I want to stay with Alice and Scott. Even if I had somewhere else to go, I would want to stay with them.
    “It’s not that easy, Charlotte. We have to meet with Beth in the morning to review your case, and you need to make a decision by then.”
    “I don’t need time to think about it. Why are you making such a big deal out of this?”
    “Because it is a big deal. You’re free to do as you wish now. You