by Mia Henry
Ella called the school and was immediately put through to the principal.
‘We have actually been tying to desperately get hold of the girl’s father,’ said the principal immediately on hearing that Ella was the aunt.
‘He works out of the country, so perhaps that is why you can’t get hold of him. I will call him and let him know. Is there a problem?’ asked Ella.
‘Yes a very big problem. I will ask both the girls class teachers to call you during their break time and then maybe you can convey the message to their father’, responded the principal.
Barely half an hour later, Stella’s class teacher called Ella.
‘I’m afraid Stella will be failing her grade. She was caught cheating during the exams. But then it’s not surprising, as she is regularly absent from school, so she doesn’t know her work’, said the teacher sounding both concerned and helpless.
‘I am so sorry to hear that. I am pretty sure her father is unaware that she is missing so much school, as I know how strict he is about that,’ responded Ella.
Ella well knew just how Richard felt about his daughters missing school. Before they had embarked on their family holiday, a few months prior, Ella had asked Richard if the girls could join them on their New York leg of the trip. Despite her pleadings, he refused, as he didn’t want the girls to miss the last three days of school, even though little work gets done during the last week before school closure. Ella had felt then that he was being too pedantic on the matter.
The teacher continued.
‘Unfortunately we have had to get Child Welfare involved. The days that the girls do come to school, they’re unkempt, their clothes are not ironed and they’re always asking other children for food. We are morally and legally obliged to report this. Last night there was a parent meeting and no parent of theirs, attended. Gina might be able to just scrape through her grade, providing she can get remedial help, but Stella has definitely failed the year.’
After a slight pause she added, ‘we are at our wits end and as a school there is not much more we can do!’
Ella felt gutted at what she had just heard.
She immediately called Richard.
After relaying to him the conversation, she was met by stunned silence.
After what seemed an age, he replied, ‘I can’t just take them away! …. Besides, I work out of the country. We might suspect, but what proof do we have that Amber is on drugs?’
Ella sensed his irritation about her ongoing concerns regarding Amber and his daughters dire situation.
‘You need to look at the signs and stop burying your head in the sand,’ Ella angrily replied.
‘Well, I really don’t know what to do?’ responded a puzzled Richard.
‘The first thing you need to do, right away, is call the school. It seems they have already handed the case over to Child Welfare, so hopefully they will investigate and get the evidence of which you speak!’
Ella felt a mounting anger over a situation in which seemed so helpless. She felt indignant that a mother could allow herself to deteriorate into such a grave state so that her children were being so badly neglected. She was deeply annoyed at her brother who chose to act like an ostrich by burying his head in the sand, refusing to acknowledge the girls plight.
‘They were just getting thinner and were being totally neglected. How could he not see it?’ she would ask herself incredulously.
Shortly after her conversation with Richard, Gina’s class teacher called.
She confirmed what Stella’s teacher had said. They were deeply concerned about the girls, who were now even being ostracized by the other children. She too said that Gina would just scrape the year but that she would need remedial help.
‘It’s such a pity. She is a sweet child and has such great potential’, the teacher added.
Then Richard called Ella back.
He had unhesitantingly arranged to meet at the school with the principal and relevant teachers. It was to be that coming Friday. They were even willing to wait for him as he could only arrive there in the late afternoon.
Richard, immediately after the meeting, called Ella.
‘We have a plan in action’, he said.
He would be more actively involved in the new coming year. They would report to him on a weekly basis and would immediately notify him if the girls were absent.
The school was legally obliged to report the matter to Child Welfare. He requested them to involve Ella in this too, as his work schedule frequently put him out of contact.
To ensure a peaceful holiday during which Amber would not deny him the rightful access to his girls he had decided to only raise the school issues with her in the new year.
The tide would turn. But what would it bring? Gentle ripples of dancing water or a storm surge?
CHAPTER 17
THE SIBLINGS
The Kennedy children, Tammy, Troy and Amy, had a bond that worked, although each, were uniquely different. Troy and Amy were healthy with no limitations. Tammy was not. It was not a normal situation.
At times Troy would break down in tears, petrified that he would lose his sister. At other times he would display an intense anger. Complex emotions were at play in his young heart.
For the most part though, sibling rivalry in the Kennedy household was not much different to that of any other household. Sometimes they were each other’s protectors, at other times each other’s tormentors. Most times they were playmates, but when necessary they would be counselors, philosophers or each other’s guides. They could join forces as partners in crime, but other times they brought the worst out in each other. There were plenty of fights and yet after the most ferocious sibling war there would be little damage and in no time they were the best of friends again.
One time of the day that mattered a lot to Ella, was dinnertime. It was a specially, important traditional family value that she would adhere to no matter how difficult. Rob’s unpredictable and demanding work schedule, meant that there was no set time for dinner, yet patiently the family would wait for Rob to get home, so that they could eat together.
As the children grew older schedules became even more conflicting due to sports practices, dance rehearsals and the like, but that didn’t stop the highly esteemed family dinnertime. Perhaps a small act but it had a huge impact.
The dinner table was a unifier, a place set aside to share thoughts, the day’s happenings and news. It taught the children table manners, how to hold conversations, to listen with respect. It was the perfect time to relax and socialize as a family and it kept the family close.
Tammy was now eighteen years old, Troy seventeen and Amy fourteen, and they were about to face a new unexpected challenge.
CHAPTER 18
ERUPTION
Disturbing reports about Amber and her three children kept reaching Ella. Amber cared little about her daughters education and there wasn’t any routine, or discipline. Even their health and nutrition was being neglected. Her views on substance abuse were plain. She had permitted her son, Pedro, to begin smoking cigarettes at the age of twelve. They smoked marijuana together in his teens.
One day, Ella received a phone call from Suzi. She was an old close friend of Amber.
‘Can you please do something about removing the girls from their mother? We all know Amber is involved in drugs, and we fear for the little girls lives!’
Suzi pleaded and then further added, ‘Stella texted one of her friends this afternoon, asking her to call the police and send them to her house.’
Suzi had already reported the matter to Child Welfare and they had promised to investigate. She feared they would take too long. The girls were in danger.
‘The schools are already aware that there is a grave problem, so they have also reported the matter to Child Welfare,’ responded Ella.
Ella continued. ‘It’s such
a frustrating situation as there is so little we can do. We can’t just remove the girls. I will also call Child Welfare. Maybe with all of us phoning and applying pressure they will realize it is quite a serious situation’.
‘I just worry about those girls and what could happen between now and when Child Welfare have enough evidence,’ responded Suzi.
It’s holidays soon and Richard and the girls are supposed to come and spend a few days with us. I will see if I can get them to say something,’ suggested Ella.
A few days later Tammy got a call from Stella. It was Stella’s number but all Tammy could hear on the other end of the line was someone crying. Then the call ended.
Tammy anxiously ran to Ella.
‘Mom,’ I don’t know what’s going on. Stella has just called me. I could hear her crying, but then she just put the phone down’.
The very next day, Amy received a text message from Stella. ‘I am very sad. Can I please come live with you?’
This whole situation weighed heavily on Ella’s heart. She felt so helpless and this was worsened by the fact that she lived over fifteen hundred miles away. Many sleepless nights were spent worrying about her nieces. Their visit couldn’t come soon enough. Hopefully they would open up to her or their cousins, so providing evidence that would enable the family to take action.
It was the day after Christmas when Richard and the girls arrived in the Bay to spend a week with Ella and the family. Ella was appalled to see how emaciated the girls appeared since she had seen them last on their family holiday in America. They were far thinner and Stella especially, looked skeletal. Gina was a very affectionate child but now she was clingy and wouldn’t leave Ella’s side.
‘So how are things going at home?’ Ella would ask Stella, in the hope that she would tell her more.
She replied, ‘Fine’.
‘How is your mom?’
The answer would be the same. ‘Fine.’
Stella was not saying much. Any questions Ella would ask her, the response was always the same. ‘Fine.’ Ella was reluctant to ask too many questions. The last thing she wanted was for the girls to report back to their mother leading her to deny them future visits. Dealing with Amber was like walking on eggshells, in order to avoid her vehement verbal abuse and threats.
During their stay the whole family spent a day at a nearby game farm. Amy and Stella, both fourteen, were chattering away in the back of the car.
Ella and Rob’s ear’s pricked up hearing their conversation.
‘My mom said I need not worry too much about school. She said that at my age I can already go big with modeling contracts,’ said Stella to Amy.
She continued, ‘My mom also said that if I’m hard core I can go far with modeling and earn lots of money’.
Ella was alarmed! These words were being uttered by a girl who had just turned fourteen. These sentiments were coming from her mother. She was a mother with no values, who failed to foresee the consequences of such irresponsible advice.
When Richard and the girls left to go back home they looked a lot more relaxed than when they had first arrived. Stella was not so nervy and apprehensive and Gina was a lot more chatty. Ella was extremely concerned and very sad to see them go. They had not admitted to experiencing difficulties at home but Ella had no doubt that they had been threatened into silence. She prayed for their safety and protection.
Richard and Ella had numerous discussions regarding the situation. It was a complex state of affairs. He worked outside the country and feared the outcome should the girls be removed from their mother. He was hoping that it wouldn’t get to that. He would remain in regular communication with the teachers to keep his finger on the pulse.
Nonetheless Ella reassured Richard, ‘Please, if the girls are taken away, it mustn’t be to a foster home. They can come live here with us!’
A week later, on a late Monday afternoon, Richard called Ella.
‘Child Welfare has just called me. They have gotten proof that there are drugs involved and witnesses have testified to some very perturbing incidents so they have applied for an urgent order to remove the girls from Amber’s care!’ Richard was shaken and forlorn.
‘I will call the Child Welfare immediately,’ said Ella. ‘Don’t worry, I will make sure that they come to me!’
‘I have requested that’, responded Richard.
‘Rob and I have discussed it. Being removed from their mother is traumatic enough. Living with strangers will make it far worse!’ Ella said.
Ella immediately called Child Welfare, who were extremely helpful and accommodating. They wanted the best for the girls and fully understood that placing them with a relative would be far better than placing them with strangers.
They promptly initiated the process of issuing the order and granting temporary custody to Ella so that they could be placed with her family. And so started a whirlwind of home checks, interviews, Family Advocate visits, affidavits, lawyer’s calls and arrangements to remove the girls. They only had a few days to act. It was as if a volcano had erupted. Like an avalanche of molten lava, concerned witnesses testified to the seriousness of the situation. A rescue plan was in motion to avert total disaster.
Amber was extremely volatile and self-destructive. Informing her of Child Welfare’s intention would have to be done discreetly. Desire for revenge could precipitate her to do the unthinkable. The girls must not be with her. Their safety was paramount.
Arrangements were concluded and Child Welfare officially granted Ella temporary custody of the children until the matter had been fully investigated. The case would then proceed to court for a judgment concerning sole custody. Richard was applying for this, and he had the full support of family, friends and acquaintances that knew the troubled family’s circumstances.
As soon as the court order was granted, the girls were to be removed from their mother’s home within seventy-two hours. The approaching weekend was the one over which Richard had visitation access so he would attempt to arrange with Amber to collect the girls that Friday afternoon.
Richard called Amber. ‘I would like to take the girls away for the weekend, so could I collect them Friday afternoon?’ Richard asked.
Surprisingly Amber didn’t object.
Richard would fly Ella up to join him and together with the Police and an official from Child Welfare, they would present Amber on Saturday morning with the court order. In dealing with someone so unstable Child Welfare arranged for police protection.
Eduardo was also there for support.
Richard dropped the girls at a predetermined venue where they would meet their teachers and a counselor. Then whilst Richard and Ella headed to Ambers’ farm, Eduardo, the teachers, and the Child Welfare counselor gently broke the news to the girls that they would not be going back home but would be moving to the Bay to live with their aunt and family.
Richard, Ella, the official from Child Welfare and two Police officers arrived at the farm but found no one home. They spotted a farm worker who notified them that Amber should be back shortly.
It was a scorching hot day. Not a breath of wind. The mood of the visitor’s was somber and gloomy making what was physically a bright sunny day seem dark and dull. Both Richard and Ella could sense each other’s profound emotional sadness weighing heavy on their hearts. The merely half an hour wait, which felt like hours, was interrupted by the drone of a distant car. As it approached the waiting party, you could hear the crunch of the loose gravel as the vehicle moved towards where they stood waiting. Suddenly the only noise Ella could hear was the pounding of her heart.
Amber saw the Police long before see noticed Richard or Ella.
Looking like every ounce of blood had drained from her face, ‘Amber asked one of the officers, ‘what can I do for you?’ Before he could even respond she whirled around and shouted to Richard, ‘what the hell is going on?’
The official from Child Welfare walked over to Amber, handing her the court order together with a thick wad of affidavits. ‘What’s this now? Amber snaps, visibly irritated
The officer proceeded to read out the court order.
Amber’s eyes swung to Ella as she screamed, ‘You fat fuck’n bitch!’ I bet this was all your doing!’
Ella burst into tears. Her vocal cords were paralyzed. She couldn’t utter a word and only tears streamed down her face. Her heart was torn like garments ripped in barbed wire. She knew that Amber’s heart would be just as shredded. Ella could only imagine the pain of having your children taken away. But she also knew that this was a case of ‘you have to be cruel to be kind.’ Maybe this brutal measure was what Amber needed; to wake up and become a more responsible mother. As traumatic as it was, Ella knew it was in the girls best interests.
Richard then asked if he could take her into the house so that he could talk to her. The screaming didn’t stop, so he gave up on any attempt at conversation. The party could hear her blaming Richard for her messed up life.
Richard called Ella into the house to help pack the girls belongings into the boxes they had brought with.
To Ella’s immense surprise, Amber eventually calmed down and helped with packing the girls clothes and other belongings. She even made sure to pack Gina’s favorite toy. She then double-checked that none of their favorite and special things were left behind.
Once they had finished packing, Ella followed Amber to her bedroom. She wanted to reassure Amber that if she could prove herself to be worthy again this needn’t be forever. She had failed her girls. She was sick. She had an addiction and she desperately needed help. If the girls really meant something to her she would do everything in her power to fix herself and become the mother the girls needed. By the end of the conversation Amber was relatively calm and somewhat subdued. Ella walked over to Amber gave her a hug and reassured her that she had no desire to be her enemy.
