Chapter 6
Melinda had always been able to calm her emotions down. Take a deep breath and let everything go. Process them later in a safe environment. She had never lost that ability, except immediately after that wretched mission and when Phil was injured. She liked having the control. But then Phil had talked her into fostering kids, and they had brought Leo home, then Bobbi, Natasha and finally Skye. That was the end of it. Her control slipped from her hands as soon as her kids were in front of her. It bothered her but whenever she saw the smiles on their faces, she didn’t care.
It had been two months after they finished the procedure of becoming foster parents. Catherine had called them one morning, telling them that she had a child who was in need of a home. Melinda had rushed to the hospital with Phil and found a six year old thin boy, lying on the hospital bed. Broken arm and ribs, sprained ankle and a concussion, that was what Catherine told them. How did it happen? His father, a drunk bastard, had lost it and beaten the boy and his mother. The woman, and Melinda would never ever forget her, had protected her son as much as she could but had lost her life in the process. Melinda and Phil had tried to take turns staying at the hospital, but it was obvious very soon that Leo was scared of Phil. That had been dealt with easily though. Leo had been quite young and getting him to talk to a therapist had been easy. As time passed, Leo grew closer and closer to Phil.
Melinda had been content - she had her two boys and she loved them a lot. But then Catherine had called them early in the morning and told them she needed to make an emergency placement. That was how Bobbi had come to live with them. Leo had been excited but Melinda had talked to him, explained that Bobbi might not be willing to be an older sister just yet.
Bobbi’s biological parents, Robert and Susan Morse, had received a call in the middle of the night. Robert’s mother had suffered an heart attack. They had left a note for Bobbi and hurried to the hospital. They had arrived as patients and declared dead on arrival. Susan had managed to tell the paramedics about their daughter. Bobbi had been woken up by NYPD officers and Catherine. She had arrived at their home, full of tears and pain. Melinda and Phil had giver her the space but when she started missing meals, Melinda had interfered. It had been a long process - pain always is - but Bobbi was doing so much better now.
Bringing Natasha home had been a family decision. Melinda and Phil had talked with their two kids, explained to them that Catherine had found someone who would fit well with their family. Natasha had arrived with Catherine, her face emotionless and her eyes screaming. For the first few days, Natasha had refused to speak to them - only speaking Russian if she really had to. Melinda had silently enjoyed watching everyone’s confused looks. She had even enjoyed Natasha’s surprise when Melinda had responded in fluent Russian.
Not much was known about Natasha’s family. Her father had given up his parental rights after her mother’s death. She had bounced from one foster home to another - no one understanding the girl as she only spoke Russian at that time. Some had even tried to hurt her because she wouldn’t switch languages. Melinda had been appalled to hear about some of the foster homes. She had talked to Natasha in her language of preference and slowly gotten through her defenses. When Natasha had realized that talking about it did help, and when Bobbi and Leo had told her about going to a therapist themselves, Natasha had agreed to try. Her sessions were once every two weeks now and Melinda was proud of how far she had come.
And Skye now. Snarky and smart - even if she herself didn’t believe so - and also hiding behind fear. Her file didn’t have much and while Melinda respected Catherine, she was a little irked about how less they knew about the girl. She obviously had some triggers. Melinda had seen how she avoided being alone with Phil. She also noticed that despite her discomfort, Skye tried it every morning. Phil would give her a task that kept them at a distance from each other but Melinda knew he hurt a little.
When Melinda had learned how the nuns at Saint Agnes had starved kids - her kid - she had been infuriated. How dare they? She had maintained control long enough to assure Skye that she never had to be worried about this sort of thing at their home. Melinda had noticed the disbelief in Skye’s eyes and that bothered her. She had called Catherine after dinner, telling her what she had learned. Catherine had been appalled too. She took care of the legal procedures while suggesting that they take Skye to a doctor to assess her health. As if they weren’t already planning to do that. Phil even looked ready to hurt some people and Melinda knew she would be right beside him.
Skye had not been open to the idea of a medical examination but when she learned that the nuns would be punished for their treatment of the kids, she accepted it. Melinda loved that Skye wanted to protect the other kids but it also bothered her that she did not think herself worth the same. The exam had been thorough and thanks to Catherine’s prior intimation to the doctor, CPS had not been called. Skye was suffering from malnutrition - not much but enough to bother Melinda. Skye also confessed to them that she started nicking some food from the kitchen, determined not to go hungry. She had been questioned in Catherine’s presence and official investigation had been started. Melinda hoped that those people would face criminal charges.
Melinda and Phil had tried talking to Skye about talking to a therapist but she had refused it without a single thought. For the first time, Melinda had noticed anger in the girl. She had been quite clear that she wouldn’t be forced to talk to such a doctor and if they forced her to go, she still wouldn’t talk. “I am not crazy,” Skye had said. Phil had tried explaining to her that seeing a therapist did not mean that. Melinda had no idea if that message had sunk in but Skye did say that she would think about it.
Melinda took her eyes off the computer screen as her office door opened. Maria had walked in. Rolling her eyes, Melinda shut down her computer. It wasn’t like she had really done something for the past hour. “They called you?” Melinda asked, as her best friend settled in front of her.
“Akela was worried,” Maria confessed. “Apparently you haven’t stopped glaring at things since Tuesday. Wanna tell me what’s going on?”
Melinda glared the wall behind Maria. “They starved her,” she told. She noticed Maria straightening up from the corner of her eyes. “She told me that she would pick up a fruit or something from the kitchen when no one was looking. I don’t know whether I should be proud that she is resourceful or horrified that she had to be.”
“Just to be clear,” Maria spoke, obviously trying to rein her own emotions. “Who are we talking about?”
“Skye,” Melinda answered as she packed her stuff and prepared to leave. She quickly sent Phil a text saying that Maria was coming over. She locked her office and leaving Akela in charge, walked out of the building.
“Did you report it?” Maria asked, getting into the passenger seat beside her. She was leaving her car here, planning to pick it up on her way back.
“I did. They talked to Skye and are starting an investigation. Probably the staff will be changed. I am hoping for some criminal charges. The doctor found malnutrition in Skye. She was so brave about the whole thing, Maria. It just bothers me that she did it for the kids there. Not because she understood what those nuns did was wrong.”
Melinda understood where Skye was coming from. Leo and Natasha too had trouble understanding this concept. It always hurt Melinda to think that her kids had never understood how important they were. “She just needs some time, Mel,” Maria said. Melinda knew that too but it still bothered her. She had heard Skye put a chair under the door knob. Melinda hated what that implied.
“Hey Mom, hey Maria,” Bobbi greeted them as soon as they entered the home. Phil was setting the table with Leo and Natasha. Skye was pulling out an extra chair for Maria. Melinda went upstairs to change, after hugging all her kids and pressing a quick kiss on Phil’s lips. When she came back, dinner was already served and everyone was waiting for her.
Dinner was Chicken Broccoli Casserole. “Today’s dinner is extra special as Bobbi and Skye helped me prepare it,” Phil told him. He was grinning, his eyes almost dancing with happiness. Even if Bobbi had been present as a buffer, this was Phil’s special first moment with Skye. Melinda sneakily squeezed his thigh, sharing the joy with him.
“When are the basketball tryouts, Bobbi?” Maria asked.
“First week of October,” Bobbi answered. Melinda knew Bobbi was looking forward to it. And Melinda was too. She loved watching her girl play the sport she loved. “I am so excited and maybe a little nervous too.”
“You’ll get on the team, Bobbi” Leo said.
“You are my brother. You are supposed to say that.”
“You’ll get on the team, Bobbi,” Skye said. Bobbi turned to glare at her. “What? I am not your brother.” Everyone laughed while Bobbi just rolled her eyes. Melinda loved this side of Skye and she absolutely loved how well all her kids were bonding.
“How did the meeting with Izzy go?” Maria asked, reaching out for some bread. Melinda rolled her eyes. Knowing very well that Melinda picked the kids on Thursday - and that she went to the middle school first - Izzy had waited for them at the high school. She had been there to pick her and Victoria’s adopted son, Lance Hunter. Skye had been a little intimidated by her, which was not really surprising - Izzy had that affect on many people - but Skye had liked her, which she confirmed to Maria. “Remember who your favorite aunt is,” Maria warned. Skye smiled sheepishly. She was happy to be included, Melinda could tell that. “And when are Lian and William getting here?” Maria asked.
“They are Mom’s parents,” Natasha explained for Skye’s benefit.
When Melinda didn’t answer the question, Maria frowned at her. “Mel, you have told them about their granddaughter. Right?”
Melinda rolled her eyes. It was just one time. “Of course I have. Why would you even ask that?”
“Because you hadn’t told them about me?” Bobbi suggested with a grin.
“Mom had arrived one week after we told her about Leo. I wanted to avoid that,” Melinda defended herself.
“Then what’s the problem?” Maria asked.
“And there is one,” Phil said. “You have a bit weird ever since you made that call.”
Melinda glared at her husband. She really didn’t want to have this conversation but she could also see that it was making Skye uncomfortable. Melinda didn’t want her to be afraid of the prospect of her parents visiting. It would already be difficult for her. “They are back together,” Melinda confessed.
The room was silent. Everyone, except Skye, was holding back their laughter. “You mean,” Phil said after a while, “your parents, who have been divorced for what - forty years now - are back together.” Melinda nodded and all of them burst into laughter, including Skye. Melinda huffed. It wasn’t that funny.
These people were weird, Skye was sure of that by now. She had been going to Millennium Middle School for five days now, and everyday Phil had packed a note in her lunch; everyday Phil and Melinda asked all of them about their day and if they needed help with their homework; everyday Melinda would hug them before they left for school. These people listened to her. It seemed like they wanted to know everything she said. They took lots of interest in her work.
Skye liked these people. She liked the hugs. She liked the notes. She liked her classes too. Well, mostly. Science was difficult, though Leo made math easy. She just had to listen in the class and then work with him in the library. Skye enjoyed her computer class and arts too. Social science was good too. She enjoyed the stories Phil would tell from history. French was a bit difficult but Skye was managing. She also enjoyed the time with her friends at school - Jemma and Trip during most of the day and Piper in French and arts. Skye liked her time with her foster siblings too - she often teamed up with Bobbi to tease the others.
There were a few things she didn’t like. She didn’t like the PE class. She didn’t like how Grant Ward would corner them at school and pass some stupid comment. Her blood boiled at that but Jemma and Leo would often distract her. Somehow Ward had found out that she was a foster kid and now his comments were getting personal. What did you do that your own parents didn’t want you? She hadn’t told about this to anyone, not even Leo.
Then there had been the conversation about Saint Agnes. Skye had not expected it to be such a big deal. When Phil and Melinda sat her down and told her what the nuns had done was wrong, she had been surprised. When they told her that they had reported it and that there would be an investigation, she had been more surprised. She had not been fond of the health check-up but knowing that no other kid would have to go hungry if she cooperated, helped. Miss Dsouza had visited with an older man. They had asked a lot of questions and Skye had tried to answer them. It had all been good but then Phil and Melinda had suggested talking to a doctor. Skye had refused. She was not crazy.
“Hey Skye!” Bobbi called, as Skye started going back to her room for the night. It had been a fun night. Skye had enjoyed helping Phil in the kitchen. She had also enjoyed dinner with Maria. She had told some stories about Phil and Melinda. “Wanna stay with Tasha and me tonight?” Bobbi asked. Skye nodded enthusiastically and followed Bobbi to her room. “You can stay on the bed with us, or we can pull out the trundle.”
“You don’t have to decide immediately,” Natasha said. She was already on the bed, in her pajamas. Skye joined her and Natasha started showing her photos of her friends. There were two people, Clint Barton and a girl called Laura. Clint had dark blonde hairs and blue eyes, while Laura Barton had brown hairs and brown eyes.
“I didn’t know Laura had joined our school,” Bobbi said. She was still standing, scrolling on her own phone. She looked at Skye and asked, “Do you want me to lock the door?” Skye gasped slightly. She hadn’t known that everyone knew she did that. She nodded and lowered her eyes.
“You aren’t the only one,” Natasha whispered. She waited till Bobbi joined them on the bed. “Laura is Clint’s childhood friend. She had moved away for a while but she’s back now. She reconnected with Clint over the summer. They are dating now.”
Something about how Natasha said the last sentence alarmed Skye. She sounded sad. Skye wondered why was her friend dating someone sad.
“Tasha…”
“I don’t know,” Natasha said. “Laura is a great. She is fun to be around and I like her. And she really cares about Clint. I just…feel weird now. Like…”
“Like you are gonna lose him?” Bobbi asked. Natasha shrugged.
“Do you like Clint?” Skye asked.
“As a friend, yes.”
“It’s not weird Tasha,” Bobbi said. She leaned back and rested against the headrest. “I think it’s pretty normal to feel weirded out when your best friend starts dating. You talk to Dr. Morgan about it?”
“Yeah,” Natasha said with a nod. She must have seen confusion on Skye’s face because she explained. “Dr. Morgan is my therapist. I have sessions with her - once every two weeks now. I went on Thursday, remember.” Skye did remember. Melinda had picked them up from school and Skye had met Izzy and Hunter at the high school. They had returned home sooner than the other days but once Phil had arrived, Melinda and Natasha had gone somewhere.
“We all had sessions with her some time or other,” Bobbi said, her eyes a little distant. She was thinking about something sad. Bobbi noticed Skye’s eyes on her and gave her a small smile. She told Skye about her biological parents and their death. Skye stood up from the bed and hugged her. Bobbi held her. Her hug wasn’t as good as Melinda’s but it was still quite good. Skye sat next to Bobbi and Natasha sat on Bobbi’s other side. “My turn,” Bobbi said. She unlocked her phone and handed it to Skye. “These are my friends. The tallest guy, he is Mack. Or Alphonso Mackenzie. He looks scary but he is a real teddy bear.” Skye laughed. “Next to him, that’s Elena Rodriguez. She is on the track team. She’s really fast.” Skye nodded, absorbing the information. “And you already know Hunter.”
“He is Bobbi’s crush,” Natasha said. “And he has a crush on Bobbi.”
“I knew there was something weird going on,” Skye exclaimed. Bobbi and Hunter had been smiling a lot at each other.
“Don’t believe this nonsense. There is nothing weird going on,” Bobbi exclaimed. Skye didn’t believe her.
“What should we do?” Natasha asked.
“Let’s see,” Bobbi said thoughtfully. “We could go downstairs and watch a movie. We could talk. We could play a board game. Or we could sleep.” Bobbi checked the weather forecast on her phone. “You know what? Let’s talk and sleep. And tomorrow morning, let’s go to the park and ride our bikes. It will be fun.” Skye lowered her head. She couldn’t ride a bike. Not without training wheels.
“We’ll have to talk Mom and Dad, convince them to get a bike for Skye,” Natasha said. “You know how to ride?” she asked. Skye shook her head and looked away. “We’ll have to teach you then.”
“But…won’t it be too much?”
“Teaching you how to ride a bike?” Bobbi asked. “I don’t think so. We have five people to teach you. It’s pretty simple actually.”
“No. I mean what happens when I go back? Phil and Melinda might not want to spend so much money on me.” I hope you will be here forever.
Bobbi looked sad at Skye’s words while Natasha seemed to be understanding. “I know you have no reason to believe us, Skye,” Bobbi said. “But I wish you would. Mom and Dad would never send you back.”
“What if I do something wrong?”
“Skye,” Natasha spoke this time. “I punched Dad in the face and ran away. They didn’t send me back. They wouldn’t send you back.”
Ran away? Why would Natasha run away? She had told Skye that this was a good home. Better than the best. “Why did you run away?” Skye asked, already dreading the response.
“I had punched Dad in the face,” Natasha answered. “I barely crossed a few houses before Mom found me. I had a nightmare and Dad entered my room, after hearing me scream.” She gave a shrug. Skye understood such nightmares. She had them too. Thankfully, she didn’t scream. “You are not going back. Not unless you want to.”
They kept telling her that but Skye had trouble believing them. She was always sent back and it was always her fault. God was punishing her, Sister Margaret kept telling her. Skye had no idea why God kept punishing her but she hoped He would stop soon. She was getting tired now.