Witness Protection

I look to see the tears in my mother's eyes as she walks forward, enveloping me in a hug. She runs her hands through my dyed, ugly brown hair, with sad eyes; "I'm so sorry."
I numbly nod.
"What name did you choose?"
"Louise Hale."
"We thought we would let you choose."
"Uh uh."
A long silence.
"Well, your dad is signing the last of the papers."
~~~~~~
"Welcome to your new home," the overly perky worker says. "Inside you should find a couple grocery bags, and we will check on you in a week. If you see anything very strange or out of place, please inform us. Do not tell anyone about us and the program you are in."
"Anything else?"
"We're good."
My dad looks tired as he says the words, "We will call if we need you."