Chapter 5 - A Challenge

 I stood at the door for a good 5 minutes before I could manage to say anything at all.

"Bianca?" I said softly "What happened to you?"

 Once again I felt like crying, the beautiful sister that I once had was completely gone. This person standing in front of me had dirty, greasy hair, black as night circles under her eyes, and the tackiest make-up, clothes, and shoes I had ever seen. The only thing that helped to recognize who this person was was her eyes.

"A lot," Mia said beginning to cry "Rob died after a drive by shooting in our neighborhood while I was at work. After that I got addicted to drugs, really bad drugs and because of that I lost my job and my apartment. I ended up selling everything I owned for more drugs and I started hooking in order to support my addiction."

"So, let me guess, you need money so you can go get high right?" I said beginning to think that that was why she was here.

"No, Mia, that's not what I want," She said "I want...no, I NEED your help Mia! I don't know how I let my life get like this and it is scaring me! I am begging you, please help me!"

I was surprised to see my sister asking me for anything. Neither of my sisters have ever asked me for anything, in fact I hadn't heard from Julia in years.

"Bianca, I want you to go all the way upstairs to my bathroom and take a nice long bubble bath. This will give me time to talk to Julian and I don't want the kids seeing you like this. Then I will come up there and re-dye your hair and cut it for you."

As I was talking to her I walked to the basket of clean clothes and handed her a pair of really comfy sweats. Before I had a chance to talk to Julian, Angelo came storming in the house slamming the door behind him.

"Excuse me young man!" I said sounding a little to strict "What is your problem?"

I immediately felt bad for sounding strict when Angelo turned around and I saw all the dirt on his face and the streaks of tears from him crying.

"After school I had to go get my books from my locker and when i went outside to get my bike some kid came running towards me. I think someone said his name is Devin and he is in high school, a big bully. He pushed me off my bike and then threw my books on the ground and started calling me names."

"What is this kids last name? I am going to find out where he liv..."

"Mom, you don't have to that. Jeremy, the star quarterback of the high school football team came running over and stuck up for me. Since I didn't want to come home looking like this I asked Jeremy if he could help me out with my homework and he did. He was very nice, like the big brother I never had."

After Angelo gave me a hug and went outside to play I sat down with Julian.

"So, Bianca is here huh? What does she want money?"

"No, it is a lot more complicated than that."

I explained everything to Julian and went into detail about everything that was going on in her life.

"We really need to help her Julian, she needs us."

"Ok, it's fine, but you do realize how hard this is going to be right? I mean especially when she is detoxing!"

I nodded my head and then got up. This was defiantly going to be a test but we were her last hope. We had agreed to take care of her until she was off drugs and had her life together again. I went upstairs, told Bianca the good news, then did her hair and put a little bit of make-up on her. She was starting to look a little better already.

~~~~~~~

The first 5 months were the hardest since Bianca had to detox. She always laid around and she complained all the time. It was very tiring and honestly it got annoying sometimes.

But finally 1 year later Bianca was completely off drugs, looked healthier than ever, and she was a huge help around the house and she took great care of the kids when Julian and I had to work. She even taught Julian how to stand up to bullies, which ended up making them leave him alone and she also helped him get ready for an upcoming school field trip to the science facility.

"Bianca!" I shouted as i walked into the house "Come here...hurry!"

"I heard a crash in the kitchen and began to worry but as I started down the hallway Bianca came through the doorway of the dining room.

"Who got hurt? What's wrong?" Bianca said with flushed cheeks.

"No one and nothing, sorry if I scared you. get in the car, I have a surprise for you. Julian, Bianca and I will be back in a bit," I said as I gave him a hug.

"Ok, be careful," he said with a smile, he already knew what was going on.

~~~~~~

"Where are we going?" Bianca asked me as we drove through downtown Bridgeport.

"It's a surprise but you will love it."

As we pulled up to the building and parked I looked at Bianca and saw her her jaw drop and then she smiled a smile I had not seen in many years.

"You didn't...they wont hire me.."

"I did and yes they will."

"But how?"

"I was able to pull some strings and after a long talk Mr Littler agreed to rehire you as long as you were all better."

"Really?" Bianca asked me on the verge of tears "Even after everything I have done, after the way I treated everyone?"

"Yes"

We walked into Plumbob Pictures and were escorted to Mr Littlers office by a very mad looking receptionist.

"Just wait here," She said and then she looked at Bianca and added "Do NOT touch anything."

A few minutes later Mr Little came in.

"Bianca hunny! I am so happy to see you!" Mr Little came over and wrapped Bianca in a hug "How are you? You look amazing, so much better!"

"I feel great and I am done with everything and ready to get back to work."

"That's great! I am going to let you start working here again and don't worry, you wont have to start at the bottom. You are getting your old job back as a TV Actress. I already have shows lined up for you. Once people found out you were making a come back everyone wanted you. Your fans are very excited too."


Bianca's face lite up and I could tell we finally had the old Bianca back.

"I can't believe people missed me. I didn't think anyone liked me anymore."

"See those over there," He said as he pointed to two big postal bags in the corner of the office "Those are all letters to you or about you. they have been coming in from your fans ever since you quit. You have touched a lot of people and changed a lot of peoples lives and you can continue to do that."

We sat and talked to Mr Littler for awhile longer and then we headed back home. Bianca smiled the whole way and kept thanking me and talking about how much happier she was going to be now.

It didn't take Bianca long to get re-adjusted to her celebrity pre-drugs state. She had realized how much she had given up and how much she missed everything and she made a vow to us that day that she would never mess it or her up again!