Chapter 17: Violet - The Foster Child

— THREE WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS —

I’m not at work today so I have a lazy morning, then sit around in my pjs writing my Christmas cards. I write one for Cora and Elliot, and another one for Lori, I’ll take them around later. I don’t like Christmas much and am always relieved when it’s over. Everyone seems to be having fun except for me. It’s hard to celebrate it when you’re alone but I should be used to that by now. I always spend Christmas alone, but better that than the disaster of a Christmas I had when I was a child.

My parents were always arguing, Dad rarely worked so there was little money for presents and what we did have usually got sold at the pawn shop within a couple of weeks to help pay the bills. When Nan was alive my folks sometimes dropped me off there for the day so they could go drinking. I loved that. Nan didn’t have much money but she always got a little present for me, that I kept there to play with when I visited, and made us a lovely dinner. I still miss her so much.

How I used to envy the kids who had a proper Christmas Day, presents to open, a big dinner, parties and games. I thought when I went to live with Cora, Dale and Lori that I would finally get that too but I never made it to Christmas. I was sent back to the home a couple of weeks before and although the care workers there tried their best to give us a good Christmas it wasn’t the same as being with a family. My parents didn’t even bother to come and visit me. I kept hoping that Cora would send me a card or present but she forgot all about me once they sent me away.

They really don’t care how they ruined my life. They gave me a taste of what it was like to live in a normal, caring family, to have a nice home, regular meals, my own bedroom. And then they snatched it all away.

It was so good to feel like part of the family last week when I had a meal with them all but now they’ve forgotten about me again. We swapped phone numbers. I thought that Cora or Lori might WhatsApp me, see how I’m getting on but nothing. They don’t care. Even after I messaged Cora to tell her that I stuck up for her over Tilly all I got was a short ‘thank you’ back.

The Taylor-Browns haven’t invited me over either and I know that they’re having a big party on Christmas Day. I’m good enough to babysit but not to socialise with.

Well, it’s up to me to make myself a nice Christmas.

I’ve bought a little tree and I’m going to decorate it and put it up in the window. I’ll take the Christmas card around to Cora too, remind her that I’m living in the village.

I’m not going to be ignored and pushed away again. She owes me. She made a promise to take me in and to look after me, but she broke that promise. I’m not going to spend Christmas by myself again. I’ve got plans.