JC jumped out of his bed and went running into the room where his younger sister now slept. She was tossing and turning, arms and legs flailing all over the place and he grabbed on to her, trying to keep her from hurting herself.
"Janie . . . Janie baby, wake up. Wake up sweetie." JC shook her gently until she slowly began to wake up.
"JC?"
"Yeah, it's me sweetie."
"I had a nightmare, you . . . you . . . there . . . there was nobody left to take care of me."
"I'm right here, sweetheart, everything is going to be okay."
"I just want it to all go back the way it was. I want my mom and dad, I want to live at home."
"This is your home, now."
"I want to live back in Pennsylvania. I want to go out with the girls on the weekends. I don't WANT to live with you, I don't want to be raised by a bunch of guys."
"I know you don't, baby, but this is the way it has to be, please try and understand."
"I don't like it."
"I know, but I'm going to try and do the best I can for you. You're my little sister and I love you."
"I love you too, JC."
"I promise, I'll make this as easy as possible for you, you're just going to have to trust me."
"I do trust you, but I miss Tracy SO much, I want to go back with her."
"I know, but there's no way that's possible. She's too young to try and take care of a thirteen year old, you're better off here with me."
"Am I gonna get to see her and talk to her still?"
"You can call her anytime you want. You don't even have to ask, just pick up the phone and call."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. Like I said, I'm going to try my hardest to make this all easy on you."
"Thank you JC, thank you SO much!" She threw her arms around him and he hugged her, rocking her back and forth.
"No problem, sweetie." He sat and rocked her until she fell back asleep. After covering her back up, he stayed, standing in her door, wishing with all his heart he could take away all of her pain.
Chapter Four
Chapter Two
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