Forest Pack Community Book One

chapter 6

After everyone had food. Mick said, “Felicia, we guys worked on clearing your new room. You may decorate it any way you want. If you want it painted, we will paint it in whatever color you choose. The same goes for if you want wallpaper. There were a few soft groans, and Ben shot them a look. Then you and Aunt Lissa and Aunt Joy will go to your old house, and you can pick out anything in your bedroom you want- pictures…just remember it must fit in your room. So, we’ll go see that first after breakfast. Ok?”

Felicia’s face lit up for the first time since arriving. “Really?!?! Can I look in my parents’ room to see if there’s anything in there?”

“Of course, my dear,” Joy responded with a look at Mick. “We may have to think about a house, Mick. Depending on how much she wants.” Joy laughed.

Ben laughed and said, “We can arrange that if necessary.” Then they all laughed. Except maybe the volunteers, as this was turning out to be more work than they originally thought it was going to be if there was going to be a house involved. But they were going to keep to their word.

After breakfast, they all went up to the empty room and watched as Felicia twirled around, looking at the surrounding space. This one had her own bathroom; the carpet was a deep golden cream that was so soft. As she twirled, she thought about what her walls should look like. She wanted a color that went with the carpet, not too bland. So, she asked, “I want a color that will go with the carpet. I love the color and how it feels on my feet; it’s so soft.”

Joy asked, “Well, what is your favorite color? If we get that color in a pastel, it will keep the room feeling light and airy. If you want suggestions, pale purple will look pretty. Or sky blue, mint green; you could almost do anything here. You could do cream with one wall being a separate pastel color.”

Felicia thought for a moment. Trying to picture all the walls the same color or having all the walls match the soft carpet, and one wall having a different color. But then she thought, what if I had two walls the same but across from each other…with the second leading to the next room. As she walked across the soft carpet to the bathroom, she envisioned what it would look like should she bring the same colors in here, the creamy gold and the accent walls? That’s when she had her own revelation. She spun around and ran into her bedroom. “I want a purple on that wall pointing to the one across the bathroom. Then she spun to face the bathroom, and that wall was purple as well. Letting the purple seep into the bathroom, covering the walls. And to match the floor. So, she said, “I want purple on that wall and the wall leading into the bathroom. We will transition into the same purple in the bedroom. To make the bathroom match this room, we can use creamy gold as the accent color in the bathroom. As she laid out all her thoughts, the adults all looked at her in wonder. That's when Joy said, "I think I see what you want." Lissa agreed. Joy said, “Let’s stop at your house and see what we can find that will match what you envision, ok?” Felicia nodded excitedly. Realizing that she had a say in what she wanted, and maybe it wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

At that, the women left and went to where Felicia and her parents used to live. Before they entered, Lissa reminded her, “Remember, you’re not alone; we are right here with you.” Felicia nodded.

She knew this was going to be hard. But she wanted some things from home, to take a piece of her parents with her. Keeping her color scheme in mind, she said, “Ok, I think I’m ready. How are they going to know what to take and what to leave?”

Lissa smiled and said, “I brought labels, and we can label the stuff that we want to go with the word ‘go.’ How does that sound?”

Felicia smiled and said, “Yeah.” They went in and started in the living room, picking out things. One thing she wanted was the TV, DVD player, and movies that she and her parents used to watch together. So, they labeled things in the living room. Joy was making a list to hang on the doors of the rooms where there were labels. Next, they moved into the office to see if there was a desk she specifically wanted, like maybe her father’s desk. Joy suggested it because she could use it as she grew as well. Felicia thought about it for a second and asked, “Will it fit?” Well, that room used to hold Uncle Mick’s desk, so it should fit. We might have to put it against a wall and arrange things a little differently, but we can make it fit. "We will even get you your own chair that matches your room, okay?" Felicia nodded excitedly. That’s all she wanted out of this room. She chose her mother’s bookcase for her books, which was a corner style and would fit perfectly. She moved on, picking out a few books that they stacked on a nearby table, which Lissa promptly labeled, and Joy added to the list detailing where they were and which room they were in. They walked around her parents’ room as she looked around. There wasn’t much she could see that she would want, except a few pictures and some trinkets that reminded her of her parents and some things they did together. Joy found a box that they started filling with little things. Lastly, they went to her room. She looked at her bed and said, “I want my bed. But I think I want new sheets and stuff to match my new room.” So, they stripped the bed.

Joy asked, “Do you want new pillows or these? Felicia flopped down on the bed, putting her head on her pillows, instantly feeling more at peace.” She sat up and nodded. So, they labeled the pillows, too. They put all her bathroom stuff in the box, went to her personal bookshelf, and she picked out more books to take with her. Next was her closet. She looked at the women following her around. And said, “I want all my clothes and shoes. We don’t have to worry about towels because they don’t match my new room.”

“Is there anything else, Felicia? What about your mom’s jewelry? We can put it in the desk to save till you're old enough to use it.” Suggested Lissa. Felicia hadn’t thought of that and nodded. So, Lissa went back with the box, found the jewelry, and put it inside. While Joy and Felicia waited. Felicia selected her beloved toys, specifically some stuffed animals she couldn't do without. Once she thought they were done, they went through again, double-checking anything she may have missed. Aside from a few family photos, there wasn't much else. Moreover, the kitchen offered nothing that caught her interest. The living room was no different. She couldn’t take any of the big furniture. But she did label her beanbag chair. She thought that would be a comfy spot to read in. Even though it didn’t match.

That’s when Joy spoke up and said, “We can get a cover for it, and you can pick it out.” That put a smile on Felicia’s face. They taped the list to the door, and Mind linked Ben and Mick, letting them know that the old house was labeled and there was a list on the door