We sat at a small table, one chair on each side of it. Me and Mr. Henderson placed ourselves across from each other. My food sat below my chin on the table, roast and veggies. The delicious smell lingered up to my nose, but still I held no appetite. And after sitting in silence for about five minutes, I realized both of our plates of food were untouched. 

My mind was rattling with suspicion as to why I was here. Due to the fact that my eyes had been locked onto the table, I wasn't sure where Mr Henderson had been looking. Finally deciding the silence was unbearable, I slowly looked up. The man's eyes and mine met instantly.

"Mr. Henderson, I-"

Before I could utter my sentence, the old man raised his hand to stop me. If it were anyone else who'd have interrupted me, I would've been hella annoyed. Only with Mr. Henderson did I hold the highest respect and tolerance for, but even he was pushing my buttons with all this suspense.

"Miss Tyler, we have known each other long enough. In fact you have known me your whole life. Please, call me Eric." He said slowly in a brittle voice.

"You say that sir, but you did just call me 'Miss' followed by my last name. You're showing just as much professionalism as I am." I chuckled. Mr. Henderson smiled with me, his wrinkles creasing across his face.

The old man leaned forward closer into the table. "Well, would you prefer I call you by your last name? Or your true first name, child?" He asked genuinely, not trying to be rude, yet I still felt offended that he would even joke like that.

My gaze fell down, back to now cooled-off food. "'Miss Tyler' is fine." I muttered quietly.

I looked back up at Mr. Henderson to see he'd lost his smile aswell, which only made me more sad.

"You know child... Your name is very charming, you should cherish it. It's a special gift only your parents can bestow upon you."

My heart skipped a beat a the mentioning of my parents. My body began to feel heated.

"Well it's not like I knew them. Why should I have to use it if I didn't even ask for it? It's not like they're here to tell me no." I hadn't meant to, but I noticed my voice began to raise. I owed this man my life, I had no right to lash out on him. But even at my outburst he remained calm, with closed eyes and hands clasped together. 

The man made no intention of speaking up, so I continued. A sigh exited my lips, "I'm sorry but... Mr. Henderson, can we just jump to why you've asked me to join you tonight. I know I was detained again and I am sorry. It's not even my fault. I was just trying to have fun and get some good photos and so yeah I was playing with fire, but do you know how pretty fire is? Geez I sound like a pyro, but I'm not! And no one even got hurt. I was going to put it out right away but it got a little out of hand and I didn't mean for it to spread, but I stomped out most of it before the police came! But suddenly they were chasing me before they even let me explain and..." 

I paused and took a deep breath when I realized I was spitting out words with no air in my lungs. At this moment I noticed Mr. Henderson hadn't moved since my ranting. His eyes were still closed and forehead was resting against his hands.

"M-Mr. Henderson?" My voice shook as the words came out of my mouth.

Thankfully, the old man raised his head and opened his exhausted eyes. I let go of the breath I was holding and waited for his response to anything I had just spilled.

He opened his mouth, paused for a moment, and then spoke in a fragile voice, "Miss Tyler, in two days time, you will be departing from my foster home."

Air was suddenly hitched from my throat. My heart pounded against my chest, as if it would burst out any moment. I hadn't realized I was standing until I fell into my chair again. All I could manage to squeak out was... "Why?"

Mr. Henderson cleared his throat, sitting up a little straighter. "A family relative has been found to take you in as your guardian, you will be living with him in a real home."

"What? Why are we just now-"

"We were aware he existed, but when we had first told him about you and asked him to take you in, he had refused."

His words were obviously clear, but I still didn't understand. What kind of shitty person would wait seventeen years to take in the family orphan? Why was this happening now? Why wasn't I given a heads up? Or why had this person never tried to contact me before? Who was this asshole?

"He's your uncle. From your mother's side." Mr. Henderson answered, though I wasn't sure if I had asked out loud, or he was reading my thoughts. "Your mother's brother, David Hensley."

I finally began speaking my thoughts, "Why now? Why did he take 17 years to speak up?" My tone changed from confusion to just straight anger.

Again Mr. Henderson cleared his throat, I realized he had looked frailer than he had earlier in the day. I probably wasn't being the best help. "As I said before, when we had first gone to him, he declined the ability to take you. I'm sure if you allow yourself to understand his reasoning, it will be easier to accept this. I received word from him a few days ago that he would like to bring you home to be a family, hoping you were okay with it."

I coldly looked at the old man. "And if I'm not?" I pushed.

"Sadly even if you are not willing to go mentally, the paperwork of your adoption can still be carried out due to you still being a minor." The man sighed, "Miss Tyler, I know this is sudden and your brain must be flooded with mixed emotions; but I promise you dear, Mr. Hensely seemed genuinely sincere in wanting you to live with him. Besides, the papers have been completed, and I was told he spent a great deal of time preparing his home for your arrival."

I wanted to say something, to refuse his words, but I knew I couldn't deny the inevitable. Not knowing what else to say or do, I nodded. Even though I still wanted to disapprove. Most kids in any foster care, would be happy to know that they were finally going to a real home. Knowing they were finally wanted somewhere. In my case, I was outraged at the fact that a family member, flesh and blood, had rejected to take me in but decided to change their mind seventeen god damn years later.

Suddenly Mr. Henderson was standing by my side, with a handkerchief in his fragile hand. I was crying, and once again, I hadn't noticed. I felt the soft fabric against my face as he wiped my tears. I was reminded of another reason I didn't want to leave this place. Mr Henderson took care of me as and infant, toddler, child, and even a bratty teen. He was the closest thing to a parent I'd ever had. The thought of starting over with a stranger scared, and angered me. I didn't know this man, who he was or if he'd really take care of me like I was taken care of here.

All I knew, was that I didn't want to think about all of this anymore. It didn't matter what my opinion was on the matter, everything had been finalized before I was even given a warning. 

I just wanted to stop thinking and go to bed.