Warning: The following chapter deals with the topic of abuse.
After church on Sunday, everyone gathered over at the ranch. The Baptist church service didn't start at the same time as the Catholic service, so Dorothy and Lance got in slightly before the rest.

This was a farewell party. It was only for a week, but they felt it fit that everyone get together to say goodbye to the four siblings. Heather hugged everyone and thanked them for everything. Then she came to Lily. Lily had been taking Heather to church every Sunday. She had been trying to show Heather something she'd forgotten about, something she'd given up on. And though Heather had't said much about it and there was still a long road ahead of her, she could feel a little bit of her healing.

And so, she looked Lily in the eye and said something she hadn't said in a very long time, "May the Lord Bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you."

Lily smiled.

"That's what my Dad always said to us," Heather said sheepishly. She bit her lip as she smiled.

"Mine too." Lily grinned and pulled Heather into a hug, "Good luck out there, and come back, okay?"

"It's only one week."

"I know, but come back."

Heather nodded.

When she approached the boys, she stood there for a second. "I guess I'll see you next week."

Jeff and Craig smiled at her and gave her a hug.

"Go get 'em girl." Jeff lightly punched her shoulder.

She looked over at Andrew after shaking hands with Craig.

Andrew's arms were crossed.

"Andrew?" She asked.

He kept his stoney expression for a few more minutes. Then it faded into a crooked smile.

"Seeya kid," He ruffled her hair.

"Seeya Andrew." She smiled up at him.

She began to back away from the boys. Her siblings were waiting to go to the airport. As she walked to the door she hesitated and looked back over her shoulder. Just then, Heather turned around and darted back towards the boys. She wrapped her arms around Andrew and stayed there for a minute.

"Goodbye." She said.

Andrew's eyes widened in shock, and he hesitantly wrapped his arms around her as well, "Bye," He said quietly. But he was going to miss her, and he knew it.

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The Andersen's were nice enough. Their apartment was on the larger side of apartments, but still a little squished. There were no other girls, so Heather and Jane were in their room all by themselves. Ben and Luke shared a room with two other boys. Heather was welcomed with hugs, which felt a little odd, considering she had been kicked out of that house not too long ago.  Mrs. Andersen had decorated the girls' room with pink curtains and flowery bedspreads. She obviously wanted the girls to stay. Heather peered out her window at the city that stretched below. It was so different from home it made her heart ache. She rubbed her thumb on the rim of her cowgirl hat as cars honked and screeched below.

"Missing the ranch?" Heather turned around to see who had addressed her. Mrs. Andersen stood in the doorway, "I know how it feels to miss your home." She walked over to Heather at the window, "I grew up here in Portland, but was moved all the way to Hawaii when I was thirteen. Most thirteen year olds would die to live in Hawaii, but I was devastated. I missed the big buildings and the busy streets. I missed the skyline and the boats in the harbor and the sunset glistening off the water and buildings. I missed everything. I missed them even if Hawaii had them too, but even though they were there, they weren't the same. Eventually we moved back, and I once again fell in love with Portland, Maine."

Heather nodded. The pep talk didn't change much, but at least she had tried. That's really all Heather could have asked of someone.

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Soon enough, the visiting week was up and a decision had to be made. Both girls packed their bags to head back home. They bid their brothers goodbye and hopped on their planes.

The boys anxiously waited for Heather at the airport. She walked out, dragging her luggage behind her. They greeted her with hugs and smiled down at her with looks of anticipation. She frowned. She had made her decision. They were happy for her, but their hearts dropped twenty stories at the news.

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"Aw," Lily whispered when her brothers brought her the news,"I guess that's good, but...I don't want her to leave."

"Neither do we," Jeff gave her a tight lipped half-smile. "She deserves to be with her family though and, unfortunately, we aren't them."

"You're right, we did what we could, we gave her our best friendship."

"Yup, that's right kiddo."

Andrew didn't join in on the pep talks, he just stood with his arms crossed and a vein in his neck popping.

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The front door knob slammed into the wall, leaving a dent in the plaster. Anger raged behind his eyes. Anger that was very unnecessary.

"What's wrong?" Mrs. Marshall hurried into the living room, standing between the mad man who she called her husband and her children.

He didn't reply. His anger was left unexplained.

"You!" He bellowed, pointing a shaky finger at Lily. She stood up and approached him, shrinking five sizes.

"Y-yes?"

"Where's my supper?"

"It's-It's not been made yet."

"Why?"

"I forgot to-"

"Forgot to what?" He clenched his fists and spoke through his teeth.

"I forgot to make it."

"Well, fix it!" His eyes glinted. The glint everyone recognized and feared.He raised his hand as if to strike her. Lily squeezed her eyes closed. She heard a smack. Confused, she opened her eyes. Her father's eyes gleamed even more furiously than before, but this time not at her. This was at the boy standing in front of her.

Andrew gripped his shoulder in pain and gritted his teeth. If he hadn't have done something the blow would have landed on Lily's cheek, and that would hurt a thirteen year old girl much worse than it hurt his shoulder.

"What'd you do boy?" He shoved Andrew backward, "What'd you just do?! Speak up!" Andrew couldn't go any farther backwards as Mr. Marshall slammed him into the wall and made ready his fists.

Jeff and Craig jumped on their father from behind before he could do any farther harm to their brother.

"Mom! Call the police!" Lily scrambled into the kitchen with her mother.

Mrs. Marshall wrenched out the phone and dialed the number.