"Who is this?" Erin asked cautiously.
"This is Officer Tomad form the New York Police Department."
The officer replied "I regret to inform you Miss. Logan that your mother was in a car accident last night. She died instantly. An officer and a social worker will be at your house shortly to take you to your guardian. Pack your things and get ready."
"My guardian?" Erin asked.
"I'll let the social worker explain" Officer Tomad told her and then hung up. Erin walked to her room in a daze. Her mother was dead. Erin was shocked more than sad. Her mother had never been there for her. Suddenly it hit her.
If her guardian lived far away Black Fear wouldn't be able to find her. There was hope! Hurriedly Erin dragged out her backpack and packed her clothes, 3 pairs of jeans, 4 T-shirts, some underwear and socks. She didn't own much. The welfare checks had always gone to the bar with Erin's mother.
A few hours later Erin sat in a social worker's office. The social worker sitting across from her looked fake. She was wearing a suit, heels and too much makeup. On her face she wore a look of false sympathy. "You must be heartbroken over your mother's death"
"No, not really." thought Erin. Instead she said, "Who is my guardian?" The social worker seemed shocked. "She is probably wondering how I can be so abrupt." surmised Erin. "She's not seen anything yet."
The social worker did not answer Erin's question, but handed her a sheaf of papers. "We need you to fill these out." she said, "Somehow your papers were lost. I will be back in a few minutes to collect your papers. Please hurry." She left the room. Erin chuckled at how fast the social worker had become business like.
She scanned the papers. Mothers name, father's name, last address, age. When she came to age she wrote down 16. Erin was 14. "This way" Erin thought, "I have 2 years until I become independent. Not four." She had just finished filling out the papers when the social worker came back in. The social worker took the papers and glanced at them.
"I will fax these to your guardian. You are flying to his home in Florida."
"Tell me!" Erin burst out "Who is my guardian?!"
"His name is Brian Littrell." answered the social worker seemingly unfazed by Erin's outburst.
"What is his relation to me?"
"He is your brother."
"That's impossible" Erin told the social worker calmly. "I am an only child."
"Brian was adopted at birth. When we heard of your mother's death we asked him if he would be your guardian. He accepted."
"How old is he?" Erin asked.
"21."
"What does he do for a living?"
"He is in a pop band called the Backstreet Boys. They are quite famous. My 11 year old niece loves them." the social worker told her "You are a very lucky girl. Mr. Littrell is rich. I doubt you'll be wanting for anything."
Erin was aghast. "You mean my brother is in some freakin' boy band!?!" she exploded.
"Like I said Erin, you are a very lucky girl." said the social worker "Now get your bag. You'll be leaving for the airport soon."
