Romantic Always (Back in Florida)

Erica skipped to the beat of her made up song of joy. She was told Dominique was at the office waiting for her. She is early, Semester vacation is over a week off . All of a sudden she stopped skipping and singing. Dad is in trouble again she thought silently. That's why Uncle Stan took her to school I bet. If I have to go Stay with that house with all those other kids again I just wont eat! I wont talk. I won?t to anything bad but I wont do anything good either.

By the time she reached her God Mother tears were running down her face, Dominique quieted her fears Telling her this would be a good surprise one that deserves a celebration while driving to Wolfy's for one of their famous sundaes. If you could eat a whole one you could get if for free, but no one ever did that she knew!

This is where she always went after a ballet recital or for Birthday Breakfasts. Erica knew something special was going one. When told she would be moving in with them for always, her green eyes were big as vanilla wafers and She dropped a spoon of chocolate Ice cream in her lap.

After a seemingly hour long minute she spoke very seriously. Is my Daddy going to jail again, or is he going to see mommy? If he is going to see Mommy Thank-you but no, I want to see mommy more than anything. Assuring her God daughter that daddy was fine and would visit often. Dominique thought of how like her mother Erica was, and choked back the sadness of the loss of Maria. The anger of knowing they never found the driver that left her to die with her daughter watching, would never go away.

? It will be good for Erica Stan, great opportunity for the kid. I won?t have to worry they will stick her back in that foster care. Damn Stan I am thinking it?s best thing could happen for the kid. I wont always be haven to get her clothes, and no getting her to school, and being home and awake to pick her up when she gets off. Yeah I think it will be best for me too. Stan I cant believe the luck seems to be changing ! Dominique has her attorney Taking my case. She said she would pay the bill even If I won?t let them adopt the kid. shit I can believe they charged me with intent to sell ! Hell Stan I have only done a half a day. Well twice I messed up and did one extra..? I bagged up for me, not to sell it! There will be far less food. toys,  and little dresses  bought with that check now!?

?Hal slow down your talking faster than you think, and your thinking with you habit rather than your head? First off that big check is for Erica you won t get it if she?s not here, same with the food card you get. Think this over, she is all you have of Maria, You cant give her up like you did the jewelry and stuff you pawned. These papers aren't?t like the ones for temporary care like on vacation, This is for real, for always! Hell Stan, Dominique would do anything for that kid and after they have her Stefan would give the moon with stars sprinkled on top for desert to keep her.

Erica was confused, happy, and sad at the same time. She took her Music box that played Greensleeves and wound it up. this really isn't the first one Mama gave her, but the memory of Mommy dancing to it put her into that happy place. Daddy had broken the first one, right after Mommy died. He broke a lot of stuff at first, then just started to stay in his room a lot. For her seventh birthday she got this one to replace it. He also told her to pick some of mommy's paperweight collection.  Wishing things were like they were, and Not understanding most of what happened from the time her mother died,  made life confusing.

 All she knew was it changed her life for ever. Her Mommy belonged home with her, not in some heaven place with all the other dead people. She didn't care about seeing her again someday, she didn't want to wait any more. Erica had memories for the special times she received each of her music boxes. The ones From when she was to small to remember have cards with the special Thoughts on them written in her mothers hand. Thoughts of happier days filled her head, while she carefully wrapped them.