The Cinder Bullies (10)

"Sister are not always the best of sisters when they single you out for ongoing abuse," Cindy said to Millie, when she showed up with Rosa, the next day. "Friends don't necessarily prove to be good friends then, either."

"That is so true," replied Millie, who had gone through the same kind of experience with her own family and friends. She knew what it was like to be hurt by others. "Mothers can be a problem, too."

"The only thing you can do is forgive them," said Rosa, who had been listening to their conversation, as she waited for Nadia, before showing Cindy her new gown. "Just know that there will always be other people who love you, wherever you go."

"Cindy has all of us as her new family now, two other mothers and a sister, right?" asked Nadia. Each one nodded in turn, much to Cindy's amazement.

"And, we have a present for you," Rosa said excitedly, as she took the new gown she had made for Cindy out of the large package she was carrying. "We wanted to surprise you with it and it seems that our timing is perfect, too. You can wear this gown to the welcome home party."

Cindy was totally amazed. "You made this gown for me? It is so beautiful!" Tears of joy welled up in her eyes.

Rosa was not about to take the credit.

"We all want you to know that we love you," she said, hugging Cindy tightly. Nadia and Millie hugged her, too. "You will receive presents from us, at any time. Our family loves to give gifts."

"Thank you so much, everyone!" said Cindy. "I have never had a gift before. If only my mother, my sisters and their friends could see me now!"

Nadia looked at Rosa wondering if that was a good idea. She shook her head.

"Not yet," said Rosa, with a smile. "You need some time to blossom as the beautiful, young lady that you truly are first. Then there will be plenty of time to spend time with them too, that is if you still want to, but you may decide not to do that."

"I will ever give up on them," replied Cindy.

"That is good," said Nadia. "We are not asking you to give up on them, but for the time being, let's look at the other side of the life that you can have with us as your family."

Cindy seemed frightened.

"I was scared at first, too," said Millie, recognizing the fact that Cindy was afraid. "But, I wanted to have, and really needed a better kind of life, one where there is love of one another in my family."

"This gown is a gift of love," said Cindy. "I can hardly believe you made it and gave it to me! Thank you, again."

"I am going to need help from all of you to plan the welcome home party," said Nadia, changing the subject. "It will be a lot of work to get ready for it, but if we all pull together, it will be fun, too."

"Count us all in," said Millie. "We are here for you!"

"I knew I could count on you," Nadia replied. She saw Cindy looking at her feet and knew that she was probably worried about what to wear on her feet for the party, but was too embarrassed to ask for anything more to wear.

"We will take care of that too," Nadia promised Cindy.

"Thank you again," said Cindy. "I will never forget your kindness and will help you however I can."

Rosa just smiled. 

"This will all work out," she said.