The Big Black Shiny Car

There was no doubt our Mother loved us dearly. The only real problem was she didn’t love herself.

She wasn’t a bad person; after Dad left she just drank a lot and had way too many parties at home. The neighbours didn’t approve, especially the one that called social services.

I was seven when my 3 brothers, little sister and I, were taken into foster care.

No warning, no build up.

We lived in a fairly new government housing development. There were lots of kids our age and we would always gather and tear around the neighbourhood playing games of our own creation and having a wonderful time.

We had been doing exactly this when intense hunger told us it was time to return home.
As we came upon our street, we saw, outside our house was a big black shiny car. It was not the type of car you would normally find in our area, so our reaction was one of excited curiosity.

‘Whoa, what could it be? Have we won the Golden Kiwi perhaps?’

With my stomach skipping I ran to our open door way and stepped inside.

Something didn’t seem right. Adults were standing around talking quietly.

I went to the kitchen looking for my Mum.

She was sitting at the old formica table looking at the car through the lace curtains, tears were soaking her face.

“What’s happening” I asked, as my own frightened tears started to well.

“You have to go with these people Chanel”

“What? Why? I don’t want to go; I want to stay here with you.” I said, as my own tears were starting to fall.

“You have to go”

“But I don’t want to!”

“You have to!”

No wisdom, no explanation.

A lady came up beside me and told me I had to go with her. She put her hand in mine and started to lead me out to the car. I didn’t fight or scream or demand to stay, none of us did. I can’t explain why, perhaps it was the confusion, or maybe the shock of it all.

The door to the back seat was already open, waiting.

Funny what you remember, I don’t recall who drove the car, whether it was a man or a lady, but I recall climbing up onto those bright red leather seats with lots of white stitching.

My brothers and sister were soon to follow.

Once we were all seated in the car, it started up and proceeded to drive away.

I got onto my knees and turned to look out the back window.

Through eyes barely able to see, from uncontrollable tears quietly cried, I watched as all that I knew, that was my sense of home, slowly disappeared with every corner turn.

What was to follow was worse treatment than our Mother was ever capable of giving…

There’s a Big Black Shiny car
With ripe red cherry seats
Hunting down the children
In South Auckland streets
Be careful all you little ones
While you are at play
The Big Black Shiny car
Has come
To steal you all away.

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chanel2 and writing