Happiness Within

Amidst the flashing lights a ten year old girl was screaming and crying trying to break free from the social worker. Seeing her dad being cuffed and placed in the back of a police car sent her into a frenzy. 'Why are they taking daddy? He was trying to protect me and Franklin. This isn't right why is Chelsea not being cuffed? Daddy shielded us from her when she came home drunk again.' Sarah couldn't understand why that woman was still standing there.

"Ma'am why are they taking my daddy away? He didn't do anything to us other than shield us. Please tell me why my daddy is going away?"

"Sarah sweetie your daddy is being charged for domestic violence. That means he laid hands on someone in your household and got caught. Now he is going away to serve an adult timeout." Shelia could see the dark look the young girl was shooting her but wasn't concerned about it. As far as she could tell this child should be thanking them instead of questioning them.

"Where will I go now though? My momma doesn't want me around her and her boyfriend. Please don't send me to her again ma'am."

"Sorry sweetie we have no choice. Please get in the back seat and buckle up we need to go."

Sarah watched out the window as the police car with her dad pulled off. She had promised not to cry and she wouldn't give the police or this social worker the satisfaction of seeing her tears anymore. Wiping her eyes she waited for Ms. Shelia to come back.

'I haven't seen or heard from momma in three years I doubt she wants me around. Last time she made me walk back to my daddies house after only driving half way. What will I do if she leaves me out in the middle of nowhere this time? I have to stay strong. Only by being stronger can I make it past everything like the counselor at school told me last week.'

Watching Shelia come back to the car she wondered if one day she would be like her. This case worker didn't seem phased in the slightest seeing a ten year old in her state and even went the extra mile to offer a meal.

"Alright little miss Sarah did you have anything to eat for supper tonight? If not I can run grab a meal with you I haven't ate either."

"No ma'am. We hadn't ate supper when everything happened. I am not picky as long as it can't eat me I will eat it. Thank you in advance for offering a meal."

Hearing a ten year old sound like an old lady sent chills down Shelia's spine. Sarah's manners shocked her though. 'How many ten year old little girls have such manners being raised like she was?'

"There is a little burger place down the road called Joe's if you like I can stop there. They have food typical to any fast food place at a better quality."

"Sounds nice but do they have a chicken salad? My dad always made me eat chicken salad when we went out. I wish he would let me try the food he gave my brother Franklin, but he said little girls need salad to grow stronger."

"What types of food would you like to try? Have you ever had a hamburger and French fries?"

"No ma'am. Daddy said beef was too expensive to buy for a little girl. If I wanted to try it I had to clean the whole house with no help for a month."

Shelia was taken aback hearing all that. What kind of parents refused to feed their daughter things she wanted. Especially her dad! Most fathers dotted on their daughters extensively. This was the first case where the daughter was forced to eat healthy. Based on her looks though she hadn't ate in a few days though. Sarah had all the signs of a malnourished child. Pulling into Joe's she parked close to the door before helping Sarah out.

"Well I think it is about time you try one. How abut ice cream? Surely your parents gave you ice cream at some point right?"

Sarah just looked at Shelia with a skeptical expression on her face. Shelia felt her heart breaking from that one little gaze. "Your parents never gave you ice cream! Well I might need to meet your mom and see if adoption is something she is willing to do. Sarah sweetie as late as it is you will probably be staying at my home tonight anyway. Would you like to see if you could stay longer?"

Sarah's eyes lit up in that moment. She could tell this adult wouldn't abandon her in the long run. "Please ma'am! I don't want to live with my momma again! I will be obedient and help you in any chores you need done. I also promise not to make any trouble. Please! Pretty pretty please with a cherry on top!!"

Seeing Sarah's face with her excited expression she smiled a lttle. This child reminded her of herself with one difference. Sarah got saved but just barely. The only question was if her mom would relenquish her rights to this precious little angel. Walking into the restaurant Shelia picked one of the corner booths in the back. She watched Sarah look around with fascination and had to admit this restaurant held a lot of interesting things for a young child.

The booths were from a time past when life was simpler. They were all handmade by the oweners grandfather. Solid wood with a dark stain thivk enough to hold plenty of weight. The cushions on them were made by his wife to match the curtains in a blue checkered pattern. Each table had a mason jar vase with wildflowers in it and placemats to match the cushions. The counter was even more amazing with a scene carved into the base depicting the towns founding fathers after they built the first few buisnesses in town.

Sarah looked at Shelia with a smile. "Did you know the founding father Darren Mead was my great great grandfather? Our family has fallen this far over the years because no one dared question his descendants. My daddy was the first in a long line to try and build the name back up.Sadly my stepmother ruined that with her wild and abusive ways.After tonight i never want to think about where i came from anymore can you agree to that?"

"Sarah without your past you cant build a brighter future. Are you sure you never want to talk about it again?"

"Yes ma'am. I am more than sure about this. My past will always be there to remind me to strive for better, but i refuse to let it define me or my future prospects."

Shelia was socked by her determined gaze. 'Is this really a ten year old child?' Her thoughts were still slightly confused on how this child could be so mature as she ordered their food. 'Maybe she is tougher then anyone thought.'

Watching her drink her coke Shelia saw every little expression and knew it was a new experience for this mature little girl. It filled her heart with warmth thinking of all the things she might finally get to experience while helping Sarah achieve a better life.