Under One Roof "We're sorry to tell you this, Ma'am, but your mother is at the trauma ward in the hospital. She's been involved in a serious car accident." This news had been buzzing around my head all day. My mum's face: cut, bloody and bruised and her body crippled and broken, will be forever etched into my brain. ----- As I got off the long, cramped plane journey, there was two beaming faces waiting for me... 'Jack and Jill' I thought, they were mum's best friends in university. They were typically 'The Couple': they both won the title of PROM, they followed each other to university, got married and moved away... "Rachael? Is that you?" Jill asked, a smile glowing on her face, however there was still a shadow of sadness in her eyes...,"you've grown so much!" I smiled sadly and nodded. The last time I saw Jack and Jill was at their wedding 16 years ago - and I was 1. "I need to get my bags" I murmured, snuggling up into my Abercrombie and Fitch hoody - that was three sizes too big. "I'll get them, let Jill tell you something's about us..." Jack insisted, "what's your bag like?" "Leopard print.. You can't miss it..." I said, awkwardly stood there . I didn't want to be here, California. I miss England. I miss my friends. Strangely enough, I miss the rain and the wind... America is too hot, the sun does nothing good! Makes you have freckles - who wants that? After my mum's...accident... Jack and Jill were here to 'take me in'. My dad left us- me, when I was 3. 14 years ago, I don't really remember him. From what I do know, he was an abusive alcoholic... I took a seat on the work out chairs next to Jill, facing the windows which allow you to see landing planes. Jill was a petite lady, with brown hair and pale skin. Her facial features were dominant; she had gorgeous blue eyes and laughter lines surrounding them. She was very beautiful. "Hun...there's something we have to tell you..." She hesitated, watching the incoming planes. "Carry on..." "Well, Jack and I, we have children.." She paused, an unsettled aura tested upon us... "Get to the point, please..," I said, "sorry, I don't mean to be rude..but..." Crossing my legs over, I looked at Jill. She was biting her nails, nervously.. "Rachael, we have 8 children." I felt my jaw drop, now my nails were being bitten. "Eight..." "Yep! We'll meet them all when we get home." As if on cue, Jack appeared. "Ready to go?" We nodded simultaneously. Was I ready?