by Melody Landeros

Created on: August 30, 2011

Clutching a small plastic bag of toys, the filthy child stared at Celeste frantically shoving clothes and shoes into a garbage bag.  With the bag half full, she grabbed his hand.  They stumbled over garbage as he twisted in her grasp, screaming, “Mama, Mama!”

Celeste momentarily paused to shield the child’s eyes passing a limp figure on the floor.  Once outside, she scooped up the child and strapped him into a car seat avoiding his kicks, ignoring his screams.

The child sobbed loudly and fell asleep.  Celeste sighed glancing at the address scribbled on the paper.  ‘Never get’s easier,’ she thought maneuvering the car to her destination.

Celeste pulled into the driveway of a large brown house.  She deposited the two bags on the porch and gently awoke the child.  The exhausted child followed her silently holding her hand.

She rang the doorbell.  A woman opened the door and glanced at Celeste and the child. 

“Hello I am Celeste Williams from CPS.  Are you Mrs. Johnson?” Celeste asked warmly.

The woman nodded opening the door.  “You are lucky.  I've room for one more child.  One went to another foster home today.”

Celeste followed her into a tidy austere house.  She placed the child on a nearby chair.  A whirlwind of activity followed as papers and instructions were discussed.  Celeste whispered a silent prayer for the child as she stood.

“I am sorry, I must go.  I have another child placement the other side of town.”  She announced and scooted out the door quickly.

Time after time, she rescued a child in distress.  Whether the abuse was physical, mental or emotional, she would arrive, assess the situation and try to calm the hysterical confused child.  Long ago she stopped guilty feelings when a placement failed or a child returned to the abusive home environment.  

A pain in her arm caught her attention.  Turning on the car light she looked at bruises caused by the child’s kicks.  She sighed, but no time for pity, anger or any other emotion.  Another child needed placement and she wanted to go home.  She settled into her seat, turned on the engine and headed into the night.

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