The Vanishing Stone Read Free Page B

leave you two alone," said Helga as Mrs. Metzger stepped onto the porch and she closed the door behind her. “Hi, Nikoleta Soter , it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you and look forward to working with you.” Why did this woman say my last name so strangely? Nikoleta thought to herself. “It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Metzger. What exactly have you heard about me?” Nikoleta asked curiously.
                     “Nothing in particular, just that you like to fight and get into a lot of trouble,” Mrs. Metzger said slyly.
                    “What? I don’t like to fight. I only do it when I have to,” Nikoleta responded with a raised brow.
                  “Well it's very interesting that you seem so tough. I'm sure that will come in handy one day.”
                  “What do you mean?” Nikoleta asked. Mrs. Metzger replied, “Oh, nothing....never mind that. How do you like it here? Are they treating you well? Do they build your self esteem and all that rubbish?”
                    “Rubbish?” Good grief, this woman is acting as if she does not want to be here. “Um...my self-esteem is fine. They treat me OK. I’m sure it could be worse,” Nikoleta answered, confused at the sudden change in Mrs. Metzger's tone. “Do you ever think about your parents and wonder where they are?” Mrs. Metzger leaned forward in her chair, apparently eager to hear the answer. “Yes I do. I just wish I knew what happened to them so the never ending questions in my head would be answered. It's not easy not even knowing their names.” Nikoleta turned away.
                    Mrs. Metzger smiled. Nikoleta noticed. “Why are you smiling?!” Nikoleta said irritated. “Uh, no reason. I'm sorry. So, you know absolutely nothing about them? Very odd. Misty, Helga nor Mary has ever told you anything?” Mrs. Metzger said tapping the pen on the clip board. Nikoleta responded, “No, they don’t know anything either. I was just left here. No note, no nothing.” Mrs. Metzger looked at her suspiciously, almost as if she knew something and was hiding it. “Huh,” she replied. Nikoleta stared at her, confused. “Something wrong, Mrs. Metzger?” “Oh, nothing sweetie, it's just surprising to me that you know nothing about your parents. All the other girls know something about theirs,” Mrs. Metzger stated.
                    “Well that's good for them, I guess. Listen, are you here to question me about my parents and my knowledge of them or are you here to actually help me sort out my issues?” Nikoleta's patience was growing thin. Very thin. There was something about this woman that she didn't like. Something about this, Mrs. Metzger, rubbed her the wrong way.
                     “Not knowing about your parents seems like an actual issue to me. It may be beneficial to some people, but I see how it would bother you,” Mrs. Metzger smirked.
                     “What do you keep smiling about? And who on Earth would it benefit? I know nothing about my parents or where I come from! How dare you smile at something like that! I think we are done here, Mrs. Metzger. Maybe you should go talk to someone!” Nikoleta quickly got up, nearly knocking over the plastic chair. She went to the fence and climbed over it and headed to her favorite beach spot, hoping no one would be there tainting it.
     
    ***
     
    Mrs. Metzger got up, and looked surprised. “Well, well. She's a strong one. Subborn but strong,” she muttered to herself. She opened the back door and went back inside looking for Helga, who she found in the playroom with the two younger children. “Oh, hello Mrs. Metzger," Helga said looking up. “How did it go with Nikki?”
                    “Oh, Miss Helga, it didn’t go very well. She has definite anger problems. I'm going to see if we can put her on some meds for