(This entire story will be in first person point of view as it is Oakley's story. Enjoy!)

February 9th, 1987

I run around like a maniac cleaning this place up since everyone wants to slack off on their part. More specifically, I'm under more pressure this time since apparently, we were expecting a special guest to come by tomorrow and potentially adopt. If I'm going to be honest, I'm not particularly holding my breath on me being the lucky kid, and yet another small part of me hoped that I would be the lucky one. I fell under the age category that this particular person will be looking in, but still. Who would want a girl who came from a relatively decent home before it went downhill?

"Hey asswipe!" Ahhh yes. One of the many names that I own.

"Have you cleaned the kitchen?"

"I was about to head over there once I got done with the gardening."

"Well, hurry up! Ms. Smith (the owner of the foster care I reside at) wants the chefs to practice making delicate food for our guest and they can't do that if the kitchen isn't clean!"

"Why don't you do it yourself?" I muttered under my breath.

The "poshy mean" girl stopped and looked at me like she wanted to slap that snarky remark out of my mouth.

"What did you say to me?"

"Nothing. I said ok."

"That's what I thought."

See what I'm dealing with. If you thought that was bad, just wait.

By the time I got done cleaning with the kitchen, it was already six o'clock in the evening. I barely ate, but hey, I'll take whatever food I get in my possession and eat it like it is the last thing I will eat in my life. I check off my mental list of chores and realize that I haven't cleaned the bathroom.

Next thing I know, Ms. Smith knocks the bathroom door open.

Ms. Smith is an interesting woman. She claims to be the best foster caretaker there is in Encino, California, but I and a few other kids who've experienced sort-of similar bullying can attest that she's not. I'm willing to bet that she does not even know what self-care means.

Anyways, back to the story.

I didn't dare to move from my position of cleaning the toilet when she came barging in.

"Good god child! Why do you stink?"

I didn't dare to answer since she was also known to twist words and their meaning.

"Child answer me!" I seriously want to check my eardrums after that because her voice is just ugh-.

"I have been cleaning so much over the last couple of days. I haven't had the time nor the chances to even use the bathtub, let alone the toilet for two minutes ma'am."

"Well then find the time and chance to cleanse yourself! As you know, a special guest is coming tomorrow and I want to everyone to attempt to look their Sunday best!!"

"Sunday best?"

She stared at me with a scared look on her face. Sunday best, as far back as I can remember, wasn't a thing when mama and daddy were around. From what I can even remember, we stayed in our night clothes all day long and played alongside the house.

"Ugh! I'll send Mandy over bright and early tomorrow morning to help you!" She then walked off to who knows where.

Eventually, late night rolled around and I finally went to bed. I am so dreading this "event" tomorrow. I silently prayed and hoped that I would be the lucky child to be picked, adopted, and taken away from here.

Little did I know, my prayers and hope would come true.