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When Vanessa got home from their weekly night shift she was exhausted, she swung the door wide open and finally took that long deserved deep sigh that she needed. The rain outside poured like crazy, she definitely did not gonna make it inside nice and dry, either way, she's home.
Vanessa does not live alone though, she has Gregory. But the only issue with that is, Greg isn't fully adjusted to this home yet.
He's an orphan, it's a horrible thing to happen to a young kid. He doesn't talk to her much but he's told her many times when trying to start up a conversation,
“Don't even try, I'm not gonna be here for long.” he argued, “I'm gonna get on your nerves and one of these times will be your last straw.” he sounded so heartbroken, having no hope in himself to find a family, when ness wanted to take full custody of fostering him, the employees basically disagreed with her.
“Are you sure you want to take him?” One of the employees asked her, “I mean, we have many other kids who are in more desperate need of fostering, they're young and very much grateful for your love and care!” it seemed she was trying to let her know something, but Vanessa didn't buy it, she wanted to take care of Greg.
Vanessa worked there part-time, as a way to get some extra money on the side with her full-time job. And when she saw Greg return time and time again she couldn't bear to see such a bright child lose its light.
He's returned over and over again, screaming and yelling, kicking and punching, refusing to return. Looking back at those who let him down, Vanessa always tried her best.
“I know it's hard kiddo, I'm sure there will be someone out there dying to have a kid like you,” Vanessa spoke, they sat in a quiet room, walls full of colors and decorations, it was a like a sensory room you could say, it helped a lot of the kids there relax. Greg only stared at the cold tiled floor, refusing to sit on the cushioned bean bags that lay around the room. He was silent, he looked completely empty, having nothing but a soul to keep him alive.
Back then, there was nothing Vanessa was able to do, but now she can, after the months of heavy paperwork, the months of working to make her home comfortable and approved for fostering, the months of learning and trying her hardest to gain Gregory’s trust, she’s finally here.
As she walked to her room, she noticed the television on in the living room, she smiled not thinking much about it, beside the fact it was probably just Greg who fell asleep while watching shows again. She walked to the couch and peeked over, he wasn't there, it was unusual to Vanessa that he wasn't, but she didn't think much of it at first, Greg would usually always stay in the living room all night until she got home, but maybe he finally was able to sleep in his room.
Vanessa smiled at the thought of it, but she still had to make sure, she walked to his door covered in drawings and stickers that seemed since the moment he stuck them on, would never come off, and opened the door.
His room was dark and quiet with the only source of light in his room being his desk lamp, Vanessa twisted her lips as she walked in and started towards his bed. There was a figure underneath the sheets, Vanessa gladly assumed it was Greg, but when she sat down onto the cushioned mattress and patted him to give herself proof, her hand felt a soft squishy figure underneath, Vanessa's heart dropped cold.
She removed the sheets, it was nothing but pillows and a few of his plushies, Vanessa shot up in fear, Greg isn't home.
As expected, Vanessa was always told of Greg’s antics, his runaways from previous foster parents and the trouble he purposely got into, but she wasn’t fully prepared for those situations to happen to her. She rushed out of Greg’s room dashing out the front door, her mind was scrambled and her only choice was to either call the cops or find him herself, he’d freak out if cops chased him around, she thought.
She ran out in the pouring rain, completely forgetting about bringing an umbrella, that didn't matter to her at the moment, all she needed was to find Greg.
She ran around mindlessly through the neighborhood calling out his name, a few neighbors walked out to their roofed porch staring in concern while some walked towards her with their umbrellas trying to soothe her down, but she was pacing and running around like some headless chicken, the only thing that could soothe her down at this moment, was to find Gregory.
“Greg!!” she yelled out to the rain, it felt like hours that she was searching, it was late now, the sky looked as if it was going to set soon and the rain was still pouring, she was soaked and tired.
She was almost ready to give in, she was ready to call the cops and file a report for a missing child, ready to deal with Gregory’s lash outs because she called the cops on him knowing he doesn't trust them. She walked mindlessly in the rain for a few more hours calling out his name in hopes for him to turn up, and that's when her luck came around.
Gregory sat on the sidewalk in the pouring rain, he was soaking wet and his hair had been flattened with strands of hair stuck to his skin. He kept his face in between his knees, wiping his face as if he was crying, but with the rain it was hard to tell.
“Greg! Oh my god!” Vanessa yelled running toward him and almost sliding down to her knees, Greg stood up and stared down at his feet, he didn't dare to look at her while he was in this state, Ness could tell he felt embarrassed about it, the way he fidgeted with his hands and tugged on his damped navy blue shirt.
Vanessa was worried for him, who knows how long he'd been out for and or what could've happened to him, she began grabbing his arms checking for injuries or bruises, noticing nothing but old faded scars.
She sighed in relief but when she did Greg lifted his face to show his left cheek being smeared red from both him wiping off the blood and the rain, he was injured. She stared in fear as she gently grabbed his face and wiped off the blood with her white sleeve. She didn't care about the stain, she didn't care if she was cold and out of breath, she just needed him home at that moment.
Vanessa sighed as she gently tugged his hand and started to walk back home in the rain, they both were silent the whole time, neither of them dared to say anything at that moment, for now, it was a relief for her to find Greg, she could talk to him at a later time.
By the time they made it home the sky was now at dusk, Vanessa was finally able to properly clean up Greg’s wound on his cheek and start up dinner, as she walked toward the kitchen she noticed the front door cracked opened, Vanessa felt her heart drop slightly as she ran towards the door and swung it open, but instead of finding no one she found Greg sitting at the stairs of the porch.
Vanessa sighed in relief as she walked towards Greg and kneeled down to his level. She looked out to see the rain had calmed down, only a few drops that fell from the roof every now and then. It made small drip sounds on the wooden patio.
“You know kid, you really scared me back there.” Vannesa spoke softly, Greg sat silently, shuffling away from Vanessa and staring down at the wet pavement below, he hugged his knees tighter. Vanessa pursed her lips, “I get it, not in the mood to talk, want some space?” She asked while standing up, ready to leave if once she was given the signal.
“No.” Gregory mumbled out, loud enough for Vanessa to hear and crack a small smile.
“Alright then kiddo.” She sat back down scooting a bit closer to Gregory and pulling him into a side hug. It was quiet, but not an unnerving quiet that messed with both their heads, it was a calm quiet. No worries, no troubles, no running in the pouring rain, just the two of them.
Vanessa breathed in the after rain air, it always brought her comfort.
“I'm sorry for running away like that, Ness.” Gregory spoke as he kicked his feet around at the edge of the patio, “I just– I only–” he sighed and looked directly at Vanessa, his eyes began to shine and he sniffled softly.
“I just felt like, I didn't deserve to be with someone like you Ness, you deserve a better kid, not some troubled runaway.” He squeaked, his voice made Vanessa’s heart shatter, she watched as Greg shattered into pieces. He cried and hugged himself at first not wanting to be hugged, but after a while it hurt.
He threw himself onto Vanessa and hugged her tightly as he sobbed. Given the permission, Vanessa hugged him back tightly, not wanting to let go, they sat there for a few minutes not wanting to spoil the moment, it was enough time for the both of them to gain better trust with each other.
Soon enough, Gregory sat back up and wiped his tears away, he sniffed and sighed. “I'm so sorry Ness..” He said again, this time his voice was raspy and soft.
Vanessa cracked a smile, she reached her hand out to ruffle Gregory’s somewhat less damp hair, she could see him give a small smile back.
”There’s nothing you need to apologize for, kid. I'll always be here for you.” Vanessa stood up resting her hand on her hip and giving out another sigh.
”You’re home now, alright?”
Gregory’s eyes widened slightly, He looked at Vanessa as she gave him a hand to stand up.
He was home. He never thought he’d be able to say or think those words, but yet here he was doing it. After so many homes he was taken to, so many homes that felt nothing to him. He finally had one, and he was willing to run away from it.
The two stayed still for a while looking at each other. Greg grabbed her hand and lifted himself up, he felt tears begin to form again in the corner of his eyes, he wiped them away quickly with his hands and ran into Vanessa for a hug. She jumped slightly at the quick movement, but immediately gave a warm smile and hugged him back.
“Thank you, Ness.” Gregory smiled back.
Vanessa ruffled Gregory’s hair yet again, this time more softer. “You’re welcome, Greg.”
The two of them finished their hug and walked back inside to finish making dinner, the door closed from behind and the two of them walked down the hall.
Everything was finally okay, Greg thought, there wasn’t anything to worry about anymore. He was home.
Vanessa scrunched her nose and looked down at Gregory whose hair was damp and dirty from whatever he was doing out there. She rolled her eyes, ”Seriously though Greg, you should shower. you stink.” Vanessa stated, Gregory laughed.
“yeah, yeah, I will.”