Michelle turned over in her bed, her short reddish-brown hair spread out across the pillow. She opened her green eyes and sat up yawning. Michelle noticed it was past 10 am. That's strange, she thought, they usually don't let anyone sleep past 9. Michelle had been in the adoption center for 3 years, since she was 14. She sighed as she saw the note next to her bed. It told her to go to Mrs. Sally's office once she had woken up. Michelle stretched and quickly got dressed, brushed her hair, and put on a little make up.
"Mrs. Sally?" Michelle said quietly as she entered her office. Mrs. Sally was sitting at her desk, she looked up and smiled when she saw Michelle.
"Michelle, I have some good news, come in and have a seat." She said gesturing to the chair across from her. Michelle slowly made her way to the chair.
"Was I…" Michelle started, she never finished as she saw Mrs. Sally nod. "Oh…"
"It happened yesterday, a nice lady came in looking to adopt a young child. When she was looking through all the kids here, her heart went out to you. She said she would love to adopt you, and to never mind the fact she was looking for a younger child." Mrs. Sally informed her. Michelle just stared at her and didn't say anything. "Her name is Mrs. McLean. We were told that you would be picked up today around 3. Oh yes, I almost forgot, she does have a son. I believe Mrs. McLean said he was in his early 20's and that a group of young men would also be staying at the house for a few days. She wanted me to make sure you knew that, so it would not take you by surprise.
"I guess I should go pack." Michelle said quietly. Again Mrs. Sally nodded, and got up to give Michelle a hug. Michelle almost started to cry, Mrs. Sally had been like her mother for the past 3 years at the adoption center. Michelle gently pulled away and gave her a weak smile before leaving the room.
"Chelle!" She heard someone calling her name down the hall. Her friend Marie ran down the hallway and into Michelle, almost knocking her to the floor. Marie grabbed her in a tight hug and exclaimed, "I'm so happy for you!"
Michelle pulled out of the hug. "Whoa, calm down! I guess you heard the news. Why don't you come help me pack. The girls walked down the hall to the room they shared.
"I saw the note this morning and I asked Mrs. Sally. Oh my gosh, girl, you are leaving me! What am I going to do?" Marie said, her happiness suddenly draining. Michelle threw her favorite pair of pants into the black suitcase on her bed.
"Why don't you come with me to check out my new home?" Michelle said, smiling at the idea. She would feel so much better. Marie smiled and hugged Michelle again. "We should just check with Mrs. Sally first." They hurried to finish packing Michelle's suitcase then ran down the Mrs. Sally's office.
"Mrs. Sally, I have a question." Michelle said, sticking her head into the office. "Do you think Marie would be able to come with me to check out the house?"
"Let me give Mrs McLean a call." She said picking up the phone. Michelle and Marie waited out in the hall until they heard the Mrs Sally call them. "She said that would be fine and Marie could stay the night too if she wanted."
The two girls jumped up and down and thanked Mrs Sally. The two girls spent the rest of the day guessing what the new house was going to look like. Michelle spent a sad day saying goodbye to all her friends. The day passed quickly. Mrs Sally approached Michelle slowly, about half before 3.
"Mrs Sally," Michelle started, "Does Mrs McLean know about Olivia? I'm not going to get separated from her am I?"
"No Michelle, Olivia is coming with you, don't worry. Mrs McLean knows all about the situation with Olivia." Mrs Sally smiled, then led her to Olivia's room. Michelle opened up her arms and picked up the three years old girl in her arms.
"You ready to go Liv?" Michelle asked her, the little girl nodded. "Marie is coming tonight too. That sound good to you?" Olivia nodded her head again, an smiled. Michelle picked up Olivia's suitcase then headed back to her room to get her own.
"It's time Chelle." Marie said when Michelle walked in the room.
"Ray-Ray!" Oliva squealed, jumping down from Michelle's arm to give Marie a hug. Michelle took Olivias hand and the three girls walked outside to wait for their ride. A few minutes later a yellow mustang pulled up in front of the girls. Mrs McLean jumped out of the car and ran over to help the girls with their bags.
"Hi Michelle!" Mrs McLean said giving her a quick hug. "Oh, and this must be your friend Marie and this sweet little angel is Olivia, right?"
"Yes, it's nice to meet you Mrs. McLean." Michelle said, almost shyly.
"Oh hun, call me mom. I am your new mom after all." Mrs McLean laughed a little. "Sorry about the car, mine is in the shop so I had to take my son's car."
Soon, they were on their way to the McLean home. Michelle waved goodbye to all her friends in the window of the adoption center. She would never be going back there again, she had a new home, a new family, a new life.
