Delphine’s Family Novel – Two days ago my mom was found dead in a ditch. Poetic isn’t it. A druggie actually dying in a ditch. When the cops showed up they had informed me of their finding her body. They took me back to the station and tried to find me any relatives that would take me in. Somehow they found my dad. Here I am sitting in Mr. Carter’s dusty car waiting for him to stop at my new home. We have been in this car for a few hours and haven’t made a single stop. I close my eyes and lean up against the windows. Feeling the car stop and a door slam I jerk up and loo around to see a two-story tan house in front of me. A girl my age answers the door with a pencil behind her ear with her hair in a messy bun.
Delphine’s POV Sitting in this stuffy car I watch as the cars pass by us. Mr. Carter sits in the driver’s seat as he continues to ignore my rare questions about my future. Two days ago my mom was found dead in a ditch. Poetic isn’t it. A druggie actually dying in a ditch. When she left a few days ago she hadn’t had her ‘fix’ in a while and when out on a bender. When the cops showed up they had informed me of their finding her body. They took me back to the station and tried to find me any relatives that would take me in. Somehow they found my dad, apparently, he had been on my birth certificate and had been approved by the state. Mr. Carter was my social worker and had actively ignored me since he got my case. He wouldn’t even tell me where we are going or who my father is only that the paperwork was signed.
Here I am sitting in Mr. Carter’s dusty car waiting for him to stop at my new home. We have been in this car for a few hours and haven’t made a single stop. I close my eyes and lean up against the windows. Feeling the car stop and a door slam I jerk up and loo around to see a two-story tan house in front of me. Mr. Carter has my bags outside and moves to the front door. I get out and grab my bags moving to the house. A girl my age answers the door with a pencil behind her ear with her hair in a messy bun. “Is Dominic Hale here?” Mr. Carter’s voice asks her showing me that he can indeed speak. “Yes, I’ll grab him.” The girl looks at me and widens her eye before walking away. I could hear people talking inside along with some people walking. A minute later a man walks out and heads toward us. As he gets closer his large frame takes up most of the doorway, his tattooed arms cross over his body as he glares at Mr. Carter. His dark brown hair is cut short and his blue eyes match my one blue eye.
He looks over at me and his eyes soften before turning back to his former appearance to Mr. Carter. “Are you Dominic Hale?” Mr. Carter’s voice snaps at the man. “Yes.” His tone matches. “I’m here to drop off Delphine.” Mr. Carter looks over at me. “Great, come in Delphine.” I walk in with my bags while looking around the house appears clean and put together. The house is cohesively decorated a few picture frames are up with what looks like a family reunion. I hear the door shut and steps behind me. “Nice to see you, Delphine.” His gaze is much softer and his voice is more calming. “You too.” I try to give him a small smile but my nap in the car was really restful. “Lets me introduce you to everyone else, and then show you your room.” I nod and follow him through the house. He directs me to the kitchen, a man sits over by the stove watching as a middle-aged woman stands cooking. The young girl from before sits at the table her blonde hair in a slightly better bun.
The woman has the same hair down her back and the man has light brown hair. “Delphine this is my best friend Cyrus, his wife Honey, and their daughter Mina.” All of them turn to me and greet me with a small smile. The woman, Honey, walks over to me and gives me a hug. I stand frozen in her embrace until she backs off and smiles at me widely. “Mina has a twin brother, Nico, he’ll be back later for you to meet. You all are in the same grade.” I nod my head again at Dominic. “You must be tired I’ll show you your room.” Dominic leads me to the hallway off the living room. “Everyone else room is upstairs, this was the guest room, now it’s yours. I had Honey and Mina decorate it but if you want to redecorate it you can.” When he opens the door the grey room takes my interest.
It’s a simple room but I love it. The bed lays in the middle of the room with the head f the bed against the wall and a nightstand on the left side. “It’s fine.” “I’ll come to get you in a few hours for dinner.” He starts to leave the room before he stops. “What did the social worker tell you about me?” He looked nervous as he asked me. “Nothing really just that you were my bio dad, and that you were approved for my guardianship. Why?” “Nothing it can wait for when you’re more rested.” “K” With that he leaves the room leaving me to unpack and have a nap. Nico’s POV This morning when I woke up my parents reminded me of the new addition to our home. Apparently, Dom had a secret child who was gonna come and live with us.
My mom wanted me home at dinner so I could meet her. I knew her kind, spoiled little brats. All she probably wanted was Dom’s money after she exhausted her mommy’s pockets. Dom has said he didn’t know anything about her so she might not even be his kid. Dropping my smoke I rub my boot on it. Looking up I see my two idiot friends Leon and Nolan arguing over which girl they banged is hotter. Leon thinks of one of the cheerleaders, Cindy. Nolan thinks of one of the other cheerleaders, Mandy. Their names are similar but they have no relation to each other. I personally think neither they’re both stupid the superior piece of cake in our grade is Ivy. Regardless those idiots will find any reason to argue. “Hey man we got to go, your mom will kill you if you’re late to dinner.” Nolan puts out his own smoke. “Yea, besides I get to meet Dom’s secret child.” I chuckle at how ridiculous that sounds, we all get on our bikes I hold my helmet before Leon begins talking.
“Do you think your mom would mind if we join? I’m dying to meet this girl.” I shake my head and put on my helmet. The boys both chuckle and get theirs on and we all start driving to my house. I wind down the back road that leads to my house. Behind the house, an old service road lays that is no longer used. Me and my friends use this road all the time at the end there is a small clearing that we use for our own smoking zone. Pulling up behind the house me and the guys park our bike by the small garage. We all get off grab our helmets making our way through the side door that leads to the kitchen. I see my mom by the stove with the table fully set with spots for my friends and one extra. “Hey, mom.” I walk over and give her a small hug as she pecks my forehead. “Hi boys, go wash up dinners’ ready.” We all nod and go to the kitchen sink behind her to wash our hands. After I dry my hands I go upstairs to my room with my helmet. The boys will put theirs in the living room.
I close my door and move downstairs. Walking in my parents and sister are sitting and talking with Leon and Nolan. Dom and his child are still missing. I take my seat next to my dad. The head of the table and the seat to the left are empty. I sit down when I hear someone enter the kitchen. Looking up I see Dom come in, when he moves I see a young girl behind him. Her light brown hair is laying flat on her back, everything about her is ordinary. A pretty body that is hiding under a hoodie, a plain usual haircut and color. But her eyes are what draw you in. Her right eye is a deep green while her left eye is a light blue that matches Dom’s. She takes her seat next to Dom and stares at us all without making a move or sound.
My mom moves first to talk to her. “Boys this is Dom’s daughter Delphine. Delphine this is my son Nico and his friends Leon and Nolan.” When she introduces us all nod except Nolan who smiles at her. Her face continues to show no emotion as she nods to us. We all start dinner Delphine stays quiet, Mina tries to talk to her but she never responds. “Delphine I want to talk about our rules.” Dom’s voice rings out as Delphine looks up at him and nods. “Curfew is at 11:00 on weeknights, 12:00 on weekends. We ask that you tell someone when you go out. Keep your room clean, and keep respect for everyone. From now on verbal answers only. I saw your grades so I’m not too worried but your attendance will have to improve.”
He gives her a pointed look at that one, “I don’t know what life with your mom was like but if you break these rules a punishment will occur. Do I make myself clear?” “Yes.” The first time her voice makes an appearance. Dom nods his head before allowing her to leave the table. With her gone we all watch her leave until someone breaks the silence. “She seems nice” My mom shares her opinion. “From what the literal one word she spoke during dinner,” I ask her. “Yes, you have to give her time to adjust she just moved here after losing her mother.” “Her mom died?” Leon asked while staring wide-eyed at my mom. “Yes, an OD.” We all go silent and finish dinner. Mina stays behind to help my mom do the dishes while Leon and Nolan say their goodbyes and leave.
I start to go upstairs before Dom’s voice causes me to stop, “Nico, my daughter is going to start school with you on Monday. I want you and your friends to keep a close eye on her.” He gives me a pointed look as I nod and make my way upstairs to my room. Entering my room I go into my en suite. When my parents and Dom bought this house they designed it so that every room had its own bathroom. I walk in and turn on my shower, when the water is to my liking I strip off my clothes and hop in. When I finish I continue getting ready for bed. I leave my room to the door next door to me and crack open Mina’s door. I see her figure in the bed sleeping with her in bed i go back to my room and lay down.