'This must be Brian's office." Erin thought, "Surely I can find some paper and a pen in here."
Sure enough there was some paper and a pen sitting at the desk. Erin grabbed them and was about to leave when a paper sitting by the fax machine snagged her attention. It was entitled 'Adoption of Minors' It read,
"In the case of that a minor is 16 or over when adopted by their guardian the state does not release information about the minor's previous activities. The minor may tell their guardian about previous activities if they wish."
Erin grinned. This meant Brian didn't have access to her papers. She didn't have to tell him anything!
"Ahem."
Erin turned around to see a very angry looking Brian standing in the doorway.
"What do you think you are doing?" He asked angrily. Before she could answer he said, "This is my private office! I will thank you not to go snooping around in it! Don't let me ever see you reading my private papers again!!"
"Oh yeah," Erin retorted "These papers concern me! You were hoping maybe I would tell you something about myself weren't you! You thought maybe if I didn't know I didn't have to tell you I would. Well you can kiss that goodbye!"
With that Erin stormed out of the room and ran down the hall. She caught a glance of a startled Nick staring at her. As she pounded up the stairs she felt a familiar tightness in her chest. She slowed down, but it was too late. She couldn't breathe. Erin fought panic.
"Breathe slowly.", she told herself "Slow and deep." Finally her breathing returned to normal. She continued up the stairs and went into her room. She sat down at the desk and started writing a letter to Keturah.
Dear Keturah,
I miss thee very much. I have been thinking about the time when I was Amish and lived with thy family. I remember so much. I wish I could see thee and thy brothers and sisters again. How old is Joshua? It seems he must be 16 or 17. How are Oma and Papa? They were so good to me. They treated me like their own child. Thee will not believe what has happened to me…
Erin went on to tell what had happened to her, her mothers death, Black Fear, and her new life with Brian.
Just two days with him, Keturah, have been awful. I hate him and I know he hates me too. I would give anything to be with thy family again. I will be leaving to go on a concert tour with Brian tomorrow. I will try to send you an address where I can be reached.
Give thy family my love.
Your Erin
P.S. I had trouble breathing today. I have not told Brian about my lung problem. I don't believe I will either.
Erin folded up the letter and was about to put it in the envelope when someone knocked on the door.
"Go away!" she yelled.
"Erin, its Brian may I please come in?"
"No!"
Brian opened up the door and stepped inside.
"Erin" he said gently "We need to talk."
"No we don't! Now go!"
"No," Brian told her " I' m not going to go."
"Yes you are. This is my room and I said get out!"
"This is my house and I am staying until we talk."
"Fine then, I'll go." Erin ran out of the room and down the hall.
Brian sighed and sat down on Erin's bed. What was he going to do with this girl? She was impossible. He had been going to apologize for his actions, but she made that impossible. Just then Nick came in.
"Erin just went speeding by me" Nick said, "Man can that girl run."
"Yeah" said Brian glumly "It seems that whenever I talk to her she either shuts her ears and says no or runs."
"I can't say I blame her for running from you while she was in your office. If you had given me that look I believe I would've run too!
"I guess I was too hard on her. Bout she makes me so mad!"
"Just give her time." advised Nick " It can't be easy having you mom die and then being dumped in the lap of a older brother you never knew."
"I suppose you're right. I just wish she'd give me a chance. If I could just talk to her maybe things would change."
"When she's on the bus with you she'll be forced to listen. There are very few places to run on a tour bus!"
"Yep, you're right" acknowledged Brian.
"Aren't I always." said Nick with a grin "Now let's go to the kitchen and get some of that pizza."
