HOME BETWEEN US

CHAPTER 2

The soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains, gently waking Muriel from her sleep. She stretched, her limbs still feeling wobbly. Her mind was alert and filled with uncertainty. The cool morning air slipped through the slightly open window, a gentle reminder that it was a new day. Quietly she tip-toed out of her room and into the bathroom to have her bathe and prepare for the day ahead.

Mrs. lambert hadn’t called to give her feedback as she had promised until the night before.

When she had called, Muriel had expected to hear her voice slack in disappointment about how the adoption didn’t work out. Instead, Mrs. Lambert went on cheerily about how they had fixed the date for this morning with no specific time.

"Hi, Muriel!" Mrs. Lambert pulled up in their driveway looking excited and approving of her appearance with a thumbs up in her direction. "You’re just lacking a smile."

Feigning a smile, Muriel shifted to her feet and waved awkwardly at Mrs. Lambert, who was beginning to walk in her direction. "Good morning," Muriel said from her position at the top of the staircase, her heart beating like a wild drum.

"Ready, Muriel?" said Mrs. Lambert's calm but firm voice asked, as she came to stand beside her. There was a softness to her tone that made Muriel feel like she could be herself around the woman. It made her want to be ready even if she wasn't.

Hesitating, Muriel curled her fingers into the cool metal railing. She didn't want to feel anything, especially the erratic way her heart was beating. "Do you think?" They'll like me?" she asked, her voice barely in a whisper. The question had been on her mind all through the night. It wasn't like she cared, but it mattered if she was going to be able to stay in her new home.

Mrs. Lambert's eyes softened. "I'm sure they will. Even if you try to look tough, I’m certain that underneath that iron skin is a girl that wants to belong to a happy family, be loved right and feel among." She smiled, "I'm sure you'll like your new home too."

"That's what you said when I came here." Muriel smiled faintly and turned to look at the house she'd lived in for over four years. "It turned out to be the complete opposite."

Mrs. Lambert shrugged, "It's not my fault they were good actors." Her eyes scanned the building like she was waiting for them to pop out anytime and bid her a final goodbye. "Do you think they're going to miss you?"

Muriel shook her head, "No. At least, not until they run out of liquor." Hesitating for a bit, she tilted her head to look up at Mrs. Lambert. "Do you think she will be let out on bail?"

She was referring to her adoptive mother whom the social security service had taken into holding due to multiple accounts of drug abuse and excessive use of alcohol. If anything, Muriel didn't know if she wanted her out yet. She wondered if it made her a bad person that she even thought about that.

Mrs. Lambert shook her head inconclusively. "She will be reimprimanded in custody for a while." She smoothened her hair, "Your stepfather tried anything lately?"

If sneaking into her room and hiding in her closet when she was out and sneaking out to shove his head under her skirt when she was deep asleep counted as 'anything', then he had tried something lately. But she couldn't tell that to the social worker. Even though she wanted to spill everything, she was afraid it would change everything, so she shook her head and blurted out a, "No."

From the distance, the rumble of a car's engine grew louder, cutting through their little discussion. The sleek silver vehicle finally turned the corner, its polished chrome gleaming in the sunlight as it rolled slowly toward the driveway. Muriel’s stomach tightened.

"That's them." Mrs. Lambert said, her eyes glinting.

Squinting at the car, Muriel turned to look at Mrs. Lambert. "You didn't tell me..." She stopped herself midway from saying whatever it was she wanted to say.

The car was too shiny, too perfect. She wondered if it was their attempt at impressing her just like her other adoptive parents did — each with their own tactics. If it was, she was just a bit moved, that they'd go this far to act cool.

Brazing herself as the car came to a stop right in front of the house, Muriel’s lips twitched in what looked like an attempt to smile. The door swung open and a tall, elegant woman who seemed to be in her mid-forties stepped out first, her dark hair pulled into a neat bun. She wore a coat so fine it almost shimmered in the sunlight. She looked moderately elegant. The man who followed her, was equally striking, his suit dark and sharp, his posture perfect. He wasn't overdressed, Muriel scored him as moderate.

They weren't flashy, just that their level of sophistication screamed out, Muriel took note, and that their outfits didn't belong in a place like Hialeah Drive. They were from a totally different world than the one she was used to. Her pulse quickened as the woman smiled up at her, her eyes warm but intense, as if she could see the very soul beneath Muriel’s trembling skin.

Mrs. Lambert smiled softly, her hand resting on Muriel’s shoulder as if to say, "I told you."

"Muriel," the woman called, her voice smooth and inviting, "It's so wonderful to finally meet you."

Muriel swallowed hard; her throat was dry. She stepped forward, tentative and measuring. A sensation like a soft breeze wrapped around her, almost as if the world itself was whispering a welcome. Before she could speak, the man beside her spoke up, his voice deep, carrying a warmth that seemed to echo in the air, "Hello Muriel."

The woman smiled, moving closer to him. "I'm Matilda, and this is my husband, Luke." She draped her arms around his shoulders.

Watching every movement she made, Muriel noticed she moved with so much dignity and grace. If anything, she was effortlessly graceful. She nodded and smiled a little after Matilda’s introduction, her discomfort showing.

Sensing her discomfort, Matilda moved her gaze to Mrs. Lambert, her smile still etched onto her face. “Mrs. Lambert, we meet again,” She said politely.

Eager to get it over and done with, Mrs. Lambert returned her smile brightly. “Yes, Matilda.” She replied, taking out the papers from her bag.

Noticing how the smile never left their faces, Muriel wondered if smiling came to them that easily. The first time she smiled that brightly, was the last. She had forgotten what it felt like. Her new parents seemed nice, just like the others had. Occasionally, her new father took sneak peaks around the house. He made it look discreet that Muriel wondered what he was thinking.

Was he going to change his mind, drag his wife into their shiny car and zoom off? Was he wondering how her unusual life would rub off on his perfect one? She wouldn’t blame him if he changed his mind because she wasn’t sure she could stomach someone as damaged as she was. She turned her face away when he had caught her staring and smiled her way.

Suddenly, she was feeling things in the pit of her tummy. She wanted to get away from here as soon as possible, and at the same time was fighting the urge to puke. She wanted to run away with them from Hialeah’s Drive before they decided to change their minds, and she wanted to puke because she didn’t think she could stomach their smiling faces all day because she felt it, that their smile was genuine – and she didn’t want it to be.

“Muriel?” The woman’s voice cut through her thought worriedly, “Are you okay?”

She stepped back and nodded quietly, “I’m fine.”

Doubtfully, Mrs. Lambert came to stand beside her, “We need your signature here.” She pointed to the spot, and handed over a ball pen to Muriel, peeking over her head as she signed.

When she was done, she handed the papers over to Mrs. lambert, who then stuffed them in her bag like it didn’t matter. “Would you love to say goodbye before leaving?” Mrs. Lambert suggested.

“No!” She wanted to say that quietly, but it came out loud and forced everyone to turn in her direction, “I mean, we already said our goodbyes.” She lied.

“Okay.” Her new parents sounded like they didn’t believe her but chose not to say anything.

“I will get your bags,” the man said.

“I don’t have any,” Muriel replied, gauging their reaction.

He raised his brows in surprise and nothing more. “Fair enough.” He giggled, even though nothing was funny.

“We can always go shopping,” his wife said with a smile, “That’s just the perfect excuse for a daughter and mother bonding. Luke will stay with the boys.” She turned to her husband, who returned her smile.

Of the four of them, she was the only one who wasn’t smiling. Even Mrs. Lambert was smiling from ear to ear and almost blushing.

“We are good, Mrs. Lambert?” her new mother asked.

“Yes.” She retorted, “I will handle things here.”

“Goodbye Mrs. Lambert.” Muriel said, waving at her.

“Be happy,” Mrs. lambert replied, watching and waving as they got into the car and zoomed off.

She had had so many new parents that it felt normal sitting in the back seat of one. It wasn’t surprising anymore, that she could have total strangers as parents.