The sound of faint knocking on my bedroom door wakes me out of my sleep while my stereo plays 36 Chambers on repeat. Shit! I left it on repeat all again. I turned it off thinking that it's Mrs. Wilkinson at the door. She hates my choice of music which is why I play stuff that she thinks is "suitable for a young lady my age." Yeah right! How much of a lady could I be if you can't get me girl clothes. Some of the stuff is from the male wing of the orphanage that was left behind by kids who aged out of the system and they just gave it to me. Half the shit they gave me I sleep in it. No way in hell I'm wearing this to school. The other upperclassmen would have a field day. The knock grew louder at the door.

"Come in!" I shouted.

The door came open and in steps on of the little ones that I've taken a liking to since he was dropped at the door in the middle of a blizzard a few years ago. His name is Joseph. I call him Joey. This little blond haired green eyed munchkin was like the little brother I always wanted. The only thing missing is the mom and dad factor. We celebrated Joey's birthday last week. He was happy to be six. Good luck with that kid. When I was six I was just being dropped off here by a social worker.

"What are you doing Carly?" He asked as he bounced his roger rabbit plush on my bed.

"Well I was asleep kid. Something you should be doing. What are you doing up here anyway. You know if the warden finds you here we'll both be in trouble."

I flashed him a smile but I could tell something was bothering him.

"What's wrong little dude?" I asked.

"I didn't get a mommy and daddy today."

Seeing him sad like this breaks my heart. Yes I know you didn't really think I had one of those things in my body but for this kid I do. I sat him on the bed next to me and gave him a hug.

"It's ok Joey. There's always next month."

"I know. But I just want a mommy and daddy."

"Me too kiddo."

"Carly?"

"Yeah?"

"Why do you call Mrs. Wilkinson the warden?"

His question made me giggle a little.

"Well because she makes sure that we do right while we're here so we can get adopted and out of her hair."

Joey thought about it for a minute and he began to smile.

"In that case I better go before she starts doing bed checks."

"Smart kid!"

He ran over to the door and I remembered that I had something for him.

"Hey hold up shorty."

"Yeah?"

I reached into my drawer and pulled out a bag of M&M's and tossed it to him. He dropped his roger rabbit and caught them out the of the air and tucked them in his pocket.

"Wow! Thanks Carly!"

He picked up his toy and out he went. Cute little guy. Makes me wish that we could get adopted together. He actually keeps me sane in this place. The air was cool for a summer night in Minnesota. Good old city of Minneapolis. The home of my misery. One day I'll have a home. One day so will Joey.