Brandy Isaacs [Isaacs - Something Happened

Rion Webster could feel sweat dripping down her lower back. She cringed internally, resisting the urge to wiggle in the chair, or to remove her, too heavy, suit jacket. This late in the summer she shouldnt be wearing a wool blazer, but it was the only one she owned. She wanted to buy a new one when Carolyn Chambers requested this meeting, but considering the reason, Rion decided she should save her money instead.

At first, she thought the call was a mistake, or a really terrible prank. But, once she realized she didnt know anyone who would prank her and she had confirmed that Chambers was called for Rion Websterpronounced just like the boys name but not spelled the sameshe knew she shouldnt make any big decisions or purchases until she knew what was going on. So, now she sat in a subterranean cubicle at the Department of Children and Family Services, sweating uncomfortably and trying to breathe the stagnant air.

She could smell the remnants of Chambers lunch in the trash can and it turned her stomach. Rions mouth had been dry with nerves, but salivasour and warmgathered as a result of the wilting salad with sour dressing. She swallowed hard, fighting the urge to vomit. She studied the woman, looking for some kind of reassurance, but, she was too distracted and frazzled to offer any. She shuffled papers and folders across her desk looking for the right files. Rion watched a lock of the womans short hair flutter as her head swiveled. The chunk of hair had come out of place when she ran her fingers through it after shaking Rions hand. It stayed out of place, wiggling with each movement. Rion wanted to reach out and smooth it down.

Ah! Chambers waved her hands in victory. Here it is. Sorry about that! Rion nodded, but had to swallow again. Her stomach still continued to churn, but she didnt think it was the trash anymore. So, Chambers continued. You didnt know you had a sister?

Rion shook her head. N her voice cracked and she cleared her throat before trying again. No. Honestly, I didnt even know my father was alive. I mean, I didnt know he was dead either. I-I just didnt know shanythingabout him really.

He never tried to contact you all these years?

No. People hurried through the maze of cubicles and Rion could hear their footsteps and hushed conversations. She struggled to shut them all out and pay attention to Chambers.

Chambers consulted her files again. Your mother never talked about him?

No. Not even when she was drunk or high, Rion added silently.

Chambers sighed and shook her head, not looking at Rion. She had barely looked Rion in the eyes since shaking her hand. Well, I guess I should start at the beginning then. Rion waited for her to continue. Chambers consulted the file and sighed again before going on. Last night, at about nine pm a call came into 911. No one said anything but the operator could tell someone was on the line. Its standard procedure to send a car to check it out. I was able to talk to the responding officer. He said, when he arrived, the house was dark.

He knocked on the door. Identified himself. He would have left. Assumed it was a mistaken call or something. But, a kidBeckettopened the door. He could smell blood coming from inside. Chambers paused, not to let that sink in, but to make a note in the file as something occurred to her. She continued. He used a flashlight to see in. He didnt have to go far. He could see a body in the kitchen. In a pool of blood. So, he called for backup. When it arrived they searched the house.

The body in the kitchen belonged to Lavinia Webster. They found Frank, your father, she glanced up again as if she remembered she was talking to his daughter. They found your father in the bedroom. They were both dead. The whole time, Beckett sat on the front porch and didnt talk to anyone. Wouldnt answer any questions. They think she was the one to call the police.

Rions brow wrinkled. She wasnt hurt?

No. Not physically. I arrived at the scene by ten-thirty. We got her to the hospital by eleven pm. She hasnt spoken, other than to say your name. Nothing else. At all.

Rion blinked at Chambers' rapid-fire statements. She managed to sound matter-of-fact, and interrogative at the same time. Where is she now?

Still at the hospital. Given her trauma and the fact that she isnt speaking, the doctors wanted to keep her for observation. If I had chosen to take her out of the hospital, I would have had to place her with an emergency foster family. I didnt think that would help anythingconsidering.

Rion nodded. How old is she?

Seven.

And she asked for me?

Chambers raised a shoulder. She said your name. It took some searching, but I found your name as a dependent in your parents divorce proceedingsand in DCFS records.

Rion blinked at Chambers as she struggled to process everything the woman was telling her. Her father had been alive. Remarried. She had a sister. And then Frank Webster and his wife Lavinia were apparentlymurdered? Was my father and his wife murdered?

Chambers glanced at her again. Nothing is official yet. But it wasnt a natural death, her tone indicated she was saying something that should be obvious.

Rion was beginning to dislike the woman instead of just feel sorry for her. Would it kill her to slow down? What now?

Chambers laid the folder back on her desk and leaned back in her chair. My concern is finding a place for Beckett. Rion waited, knowing what was coming. Chambers studied her. Rion was uncomfortably reminded of her out of place jacket and wondered if she had sweat stains under her arms, but she refused to look. Do you know of anyotherfamily that may be in a position to provide a home for Beckett?

I didnt even know I had any family until you called me this morning.

Did your father have any siblings?

I have no idea. Not that I know of.

Chambers sighed. Are you in a position to take custodyof the child? Even temporarily if that would be better for you.

Not do you want to? Rion noted. She considered the situation. Chambers was assuming it was a foregone conclusion she was take the girl. She thought about her apartmentbarely bigger than a studio apartment. Her neighborhood, close enough to the Southside of Chicago to be trouble. She thought about her meager savings and the leftover takeout in her fridge. She began to plan the refusal. Tried out different ways of showing Chambers she was the last person Beckett should be with.

But, then she remembered the Polowskis. One of the foster families she stayed with during one of her moms worse episodes. She clenched her teeth and swallowed the knot forming in her throat. What do I have to do?

Rion jiggled her key until the lock, old and rusted, finally turned. The door made a loud, metallic creaking as she pulled it open and hurried inside hoping she could get up the stairs before Bernie could shuffle through his door to talk to her. She lived in a large apartment complex and Bernie was the building superintendent. The old man was nosey, and overly-friendly enough to give her the creeps. As she wrenched open her door and ducked inside. She heard his door creak open and him call a greeting up the stairs but, she was fast enough she was pretty sure he would assume she hadnt heard him.

She tossed the wool jacket on the love seat and got a glass of water. She gulped it down, leaning against the counter. A sister. What the hell am I thinking? Her empty stomach churned. This is insane, she told herself. I am in no position to take care of a little kid. I can barely take care of myself. She crossed the apartmentthe whole ten feetand sat down on the tiny couch. She tried to reconcile the man she barely remembered as someone who had a whole other family.