Just like Old times

Evy felt so much more mature now. Of course, she was living in the dorm and with a little help from her friend Ray, she was now a cheerleader at the University. Yeah, things were looking up. She so could leave all that foster sibling stuff behind, but there was Dean at the grocery store actually shopping with that girl who gave up her baby to some single dude to raise. Evy remembered the talk at school.

Evy couldn't help but make a face of disgust. How could Dean have stooped so low? She tried her best to smile. She hugged him and kissed his cheek as if he'd had a thing for her in the past and maybe he still did.

He only grinned like the little boy she remembered. She wished he wasn't so grownup with somebody like Josie.

"What are you, doing here?" He acted as if she might be slumming.

"I thought I'd surprise Momma." There was a certain twist to her step as if she might be on the catwalk. "Whatcha doing?" She smiled big. Things were good and she wanted to know if he watched the University football games on TV. Maybe he saw her?

"Just getting a few things for Josie's Mom." He introduced her to Josie who looked at her a little strangely.

"Oh."

She saw they had a frozen turkey in the basket.

"You, are spending Thanksgiving at home, now aren't you?" She shot a look at him that he better not be spending it with this little slut.

Dean grinned.

"I guess you'll be cheerleading," he said as if it didn't really matter where he spent the holiday.

"Well, of course." She felt like giving a little cheer if only to herself. She could hardly contain her enthusiasm.

Dean scratched the back of his head in thought.

"Um, looks like Vada will be leaving us." Dean sighed as if he'd be making his exit soon enough.

"Vada?" Evy stared at her Dean with almost a frown.

"Yeah, I think someone wants to adopt her for real this time." Dean told her.

The news didn't set too well with Evy. It was hard to be happy for Vada. Suddenly, Evy felt she had no one. Her world was so plastic. What did they care what happened to her, anyway?