[Sample] To The Newest Erikson

Aiden sighed. Here we go again. This was, what? His sixth foster home? Ever since his parents died three years ago, he’d been in the system. He couldn’t seem to stay in one place for long, which was odd, because it wasn’t like he was a bad kid. It wasn’t really something he could explain.

Aiden sat outside Ellen’s office while he waited for the foster parents to sign all the paper work. What were their names again? Mark and Juliet Harrison? Something like that. Ellen had told him that morning, he just wasn’t really listening.

Aiden glanced down at his backpack. It held everything he owned, besides his clothes. He didn’t really need to keep much. An mp3 player, a portable game console, a few books. He didn’t need much else to keep him entertained. His clothes were in a suitcase or two. The better foster parents would get him more if he needed.

Aiden had just begun to reach for his bag to get the mp3 player, when the door to the office opened. As the couple walked out, the woman, about thirty and shorter than Aiden, smiled and asked Aiden if he was ready to go. Aiden just shrugged, grabbed his backpack, and stood. The foster parents—he really would have to learn their names soon—led him to the car, which already held his suitcases.

The drive home was spent in silence, except for the music on the radio. Aiden was thankful that they didn’t pester him with those loathsome, albeit well- intended, questions. What are your interests? Do you play sports? What do you like to eat? These, of course, would have to be answered eventually. It just always felt strange to Aiden to answer them in a string right off the bat. And since, with the music, the silence wasn’t uncomfortable, Aiden just read or looked out the window.

As they pulled up the house, Aiden took in the details. Two stories. He guessed two or three kids would be able to have their own rooms. Well kept lawn. So, these people weren’t lazy, or else they had the money to hire someone to keep it nice. A lack of toys on the grass assured him that younger children didn’t have the run of the place. The inside was nice. Clean, but not so clean that you worried about touching anything. It was quiet. Then Aiden remembered that school was still in session in this county and any other kids would still be in school at this time of day. He’d gotten out of school a week before in his last home. At least he’d get an extra week or two of summer.

The parents led him up the stairs and stopped at the first door on the right. The man, a little older than the woman and about Aiden’s height, pointed across the hall, saying that it led to the bathroom that Aiden would share with three others.

“But we’ll save the rest of the tour until after you’ve settled in.” He opened the door to what was now Aiden’s room.

The first thing that met his eyes was white. A lot of white. The walls were completely blank and whatever flooring was there previously had been ripped up to reveal the concrete underneath. The furniture was sparse. A simple desk and dresser along one wall. A medium-sized bed in one corner. And finally the closet and windows on the opposite walls.

As he set his bag by the door, Aiden muttered, “This is it?” He’d seen worse, of course. But judging by the car, house, and neighborhood, he’d been hoping they’d spring for a little more… well, more.

They didn’t seem offended by the comment. “Don’t worry it’s only temporary. Once you decide how you want your room, we will get you something more suitable.”

Aiden wasn’t quite sure what she meant by that, but he didn’t ask. When he said nothing, the couple excused themselves and said that they’d be downstairs if he needed anything. As soon as they had left, he closed the door and threw himself on the bed with a sigh. He folded his arms behind his head and closed his eyes, taking a moment to unwind and piece together the events of the day.

When he opened his eyes, they traveled about the room taking in the detail… or lack there of. Presently, they landed on the single spot of color in the room: something taped to the ceiling above Aiden’s bed. Curious, he stood and reached for it, his fingers just brushing the edge. He settled back down into a sitting position, leaning his back against the wall, and turned the object over in his hands. It was a multicolored envelope addressed to The Newest Erikson.

Aiden snorted. The writer obviously meant him, but he fully intended to keep his birth parents’ name, Callahan, thank-you-very-much. His mild irritation didn’t prevent him from opening the rather thick envelope, however. He withdrew a several paged letter as well as several photographs. He laid the pictures aside and began reading.

Dear ______________,

I hope you weren’t blinded too badly by all the white. I told Lia that we should have used an off-white, but she insisted that it’s all part of the experience.

See, Lia and Mac (that’s what we call Julia and Matthew) do things a little differently.

I don’t know about you, but I had been through a few homes before I come here. The first few weeks were always really awkward until the family and I had normal things to talk about.

Aiden nodded to himself. He understood what that felt like. It was part of the reason he was glad the car ride was mostly quiet.

Well, they have a system here to try to make the transition a little easier, since most of us are middle school age or older.

Good. Aiden was starting to get tired of houses full of little kids.

The first month or so that you spend here will be designing your room. You have almost complete free reign. There’s only a few things they’ll object to. For example, I turned this very room into a rainforest, complete with trees, plants, sky, and even a few animals (it took a while to get them right.) We took some pictures before we went over it with white. I also included the pics of Stephen’s (the boy before me) room.

Aiden stopped reading and picked up the pictures. His eyes widened in amazement. Every inch of the walls were covered. Even the ceiling was painted. Aiden was beginning to get excited in spite of himself. He picked up the letter again, turning to the next page.

One point of it all is to give you something to talk about with the rest of the family. But the real point is to give you a few things you don’t usually get in the system—something to call your own and the sense of permanence.

So, seriously, go to town on your room. But definitely take time to think about it.

Aiden’s mind was already spinning with ideas, but he pushed them away for the moment, because there was still more to read.

So, now for the boring stuff: house rules. Everyone has them. Here, there aren’t many besides the standard ones (no drugs, try in school, etc.). Tone of voice is everything here. They like to be sarcastic and joke around. So, have fun, but watch your tone. Say what you will, but say it with respect. You can argue decisions and make your point without getting in trouble as long as you do it with respect. Simple enough, I hope.

The other thing I might tell you about is church. They aren’t gonna force it on you, or beat you over the head with it. They’ll ask that you give it chance. Go for a month or two maybe, ya know?

Aiden was lying on his back at this point, holding the letter over his head to read. He’d been to church before and didn’t really have anything against it; he just found it incredibly boring. Well… some of the stories were interesting and the little kids’ service seemed fun way back when.

And moving on! Next door to your room is Bethany. She’s nice, quiet, shy. But, reach out a little and she’ll be your best friend. I think she’ll be in seventh grade next year.

Down the hall and to the left is the twins' room. Well, we call them twins. Jordan and John spend all of their time together playing videogames, creating stuff, running around, and creating general havoc. They’re gonna be freshman in the coming year, but you’d think they were still in second grade.

Zane’s room is downstairs. He’s actually Mac and Lia’s. Surprisingly cool for having his house invaded by strangers. But as I understand it, he pretty much grew up with this set up, so you’d think after seventeen years, he’d be used to it. He’s graduating next year, so even if he is a pain, you won’t have to deal with him for long.

Lia and Mac are downstairs too, in the back, behind the kitchen. So stay quiet when you get your midnight snacks, haha.

Okay, a little about me and then I’ll let you tend to those plans that I know are so desperately piling up in your head.

I’m Lily. I graduated this year after spending most of my high school years with the Eriksons. I’m so grateful I got put here. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s the truth. Life here can be fun, if you let it. I wish you luck and hope you enjoy your time here.

If you need anything, I’m sure Lia can give you my information if you want it. Good luck again. Sincerely,

Lilly Erikson.

Wow was all that Aiden could think. The family sounded different, but interesting. Matthew and Julia, or Mac and Lia, sounded like people he could get along with. Maybe even relate to. Aiden looked around the room one more time, mentally painting the walls in his mind. He still wasn’t sure what design he would go with yet, but he sure couldn’t wait to figure it out. Aiden smiled for the first time since the Eriksons picked him up. He could get used to living with this family.

[I couldn't really think of anything else to use this for, so I might as well post some of my writings.

This one is kind of based on how I might imagine my life to be like later.

Er, let me explain.

I've toyed with the idea of starting a foster home, should my husband be willing. My mom has always been different. She relates to kids and kids relate to her. My friends are always telling me how they wish she was their mom. I also tend to attract kids who don't have the greatest home life in the first place. More than once, I've wished they could come live with us and be done with it.

I figured maybe, just maybe, I could actually help out some kids who need it.

So I got to thinking about it one day, and this system is more or less what I came up with. Who knows if it would actually work, but eh. There's the back story behind this one. :)]