The Mysterious Little Black Book

Aunt Lydia always had a little black book for as long as I could remember. I remember as a little girl asking my aunt, what was in her little black book. She would just simply laugh say everyone possess a black book. One day you will have one of your own. If everyone has one, then what do they write in them? I asked..... She replied to me, Stuff LOL..., Personal stuff!! I was like a daughter to aunt Lydia. She showed me and taught me a lot as a kid. I was always curious. I asked a lot of questions. I could always count on aunt Lydia to be on top of answering my every questions.

Me my name is Joann, my friends call me Jane. I'm just a small town girl from a small town city called Durant where only approximately 549 residence live. I have some of the most amazing parents on the planet. My Dad Doug and Mom Sheryl are philanthropist. They travel to many states to help feed shelters and orphans. While I'm in school my parents won't let me travel. That's right you guessed it, I'm with aunt Lydia. There are times I really miss them but, I know their missionary work is very important. Too me the work they do is just as important as FEMA. I know that those that are in need really appreciate my parents. That helps me cope with missing them. I can't wait until school ends today. My aunt Lydia is going to show me her secret recipe to making homemade biscuits. I talked to my parents they told me the weather is bad where they are in Colorado they are facing a tornado. I'm assuming their flight back to home might be cancelled. That really sucks.... I was hoping they could be here in time for dinner with aunt Lydia and I.

I managed to finish my homework and my dinner plate. I soon fell asleep, next morning I woke up to bad news. There stood aunt Lydia crying profusely in the middle of the living room telling me with apologetic words that my parents died. I'm only a 12y/o girl that wish I had joined them as I found myself letting out selfish cries. I told my aunt Lydia with a convincing voice that I would be Okay to go to school today. She let me go and promised to be at my school to pick me up today. While in class someone from child services came and picked me up from school. I begged them to let me call my aunt Lydia but, the lady from child protective services said that they would do an investigation to see if aunt Lydia was my closet of kin.

With all of the assurance I had in me, I could not get this stern- bullheaded lady to listen to me. My worse nightmare ever came to life. I'm in foster care mourning the loss of my parents all alone. All I could do is cry and pass up dinner. Nobody could top my Mom's meals, besides aunt Lydia. My Mom had no siblings, aunt Lydia was my Dad's sister. I remember being told I had a sibling that I was suppose to meet soon. My parents told me that Grandma Kate was ill and every time we went to visit Alabama that my sister was at school, the library, or the store. I never laid eyes on her to even know how old she is now. My grandmother, my Mom's Mother passed away of old age.

I got to talk to my aunt Lydia today. She told me that my sister was staying with neighbors going to school so she wouldn't end up in child services like I did. All I had to overtake me from the pain, is the overwhelming excitement of knowing that I had a sibling that was going through the same hurt I was going through. Although I was feeling alone, I had hope that soon I would be united with my family. Aunt Lydia assured me things will be okay and that I would get a court date. She told me they did a DNA test and that I would get that same test so that we could be reunited. I was in juvenile detention until they could prove a blood relative. A year or two in foster care went by

I just knew they had forgot all about me. Kids can be cruel especially when you are without parents. It feels as if you are a nobody in this world trying to prove somebody loves you. Just trying to fit in, when all in all the ones that truly and unconditionally loved you are gone. Since my parents passing, I have had my fair share of feeling defenseless, being bullied, picked on, and teased. I can't wait to be either grown or away from this place. I finally spoke with my social worker. She told me that they are just trying to get a court date and that they have my aunt Lydia DNA. All I could think to myself is soon I would be with aunt Lydia again. Finally a glimpse of hope, that is definitely good news.

One more night of braiding my hair tight and crying myself to sleep. They like to fight all the time in here. Well time is still moving alone and still no court, and no aunt Lydia. Well I'm about to be 16 y/o right before the next court date. I don't really care to celebrate. I would just rather simply be in an environment where there is love, instead of so much tension. this has been a four year nightmare. I was able to make a few friends. I picked up a trade in here braiding hair. I braided girls and guys hair. The girls mainly wanted extension and the guys wanted corn rolls.

For my 16th B-day my foster Mom got me ….. guess what yawl? That's right... my 1st little black book. Yeeeeaaasss! I am super excited!! But, at the same time disappointed. I always thought that my 1st little black book would come from my Mom or my aunt Lydia. I can't feel nothing but happiness somehow, I feel as if this is some sort of sign. I finally had bonding time with my foster mom. I never knew that the reason she became a foster mom was because she had grew up in foster care. She stated that she simply wanted to be there for other children. She also made mention that if I was being bullied and picked on by others that telling was not considered snitching in her book. Informing others is important she explained. I get it, It was just the little girl inside of me that was afraid to speak out. I know this now.

A new guy just got placed here and he seems nice, I think he's cute. I can't get too excited about that. I will be leaving soon. Maybe I can get to know a little about him before I leave. Hi.... I'm Jane and you are? I'm Chad. I would try to get to know about you but, I'm busy trying to get out of this place. LOL.... I can understand replied Chad that's exactly where my head is. I'm 17 y/o and next year I will be 18 y/o. I'm trying to enroll in college on a music scholarship. Well it was nice meeting Chad maybe we can exchange phone numbers before I leave. Sounds great Alright. Ttyl.

All rise will the parties of the Chandler Family come forward:

In the case of Joann Chandler according to your DNA results, Lydia Chandler is now to be appointed legal guardian over you until your 18 birthday. Case is Dismissed you are free to go with your aunt Lydia.... young lady. My tears would stop falling it's as if someone woke me up from my dream when my nightmare was half way over.

Aunt Lydia agreed to spend today helping me with pointers for my little black book. A week later my sister had arrived from Alabama to stay with us for good. Surprise after Surprise she had our Mom's little black book. Stunned upon greeting her at the door. She was my twin...… I have a twin sister! She was holding in her hand a 20,000.00 check with our name on it after she read in our Mom little black book. Our parents entered us in a twin contest and the winnings was Twenty thousand dollars. Yes, sadly I lost my parents. But, this day I felt like my parents were right there with us. And I was winning having the best aunt ever, a twin sister and this mysterious money that my sister found out about all because of the little black book.