You're the Right Person (So it's the Right Time)

Chapter 11

"Sarah-"

"What is going on?"

"Your, I'm going to assume, boyfriend, is a minor without a legal guardian and will need to go into foster care." Cheryl replies matter-of-factly

"That's such bs! He's 17, almost 18, you can't do that!" Sarah yells.

"Sarah, listen. This was going to happen, it just happened both later and sooner than I thought. I didn't say anything to you because I didn't even want to think about it. It won't be that bad, I'll be gone for a few months then come back once I'm 18. It'll all work out okay?" John B says calmly.

"But you can't just leave me." Sarah says trying not to cry

"As charming as this is, John B is correct. We've been on his case for a while now. These things will move quickly, as we already found a home for you to stay. Once you turn 18 you can move back here if you can prove you have a stable source of income to provide for yourself."

"He already has a stable source of income and a home to stay in. I don't know why this has to happen now when he's almost 18!" Sarah argues calmly

"It's the law miss. It's how things are. I'll reason with you and give you three days until we pick him up. The house is on the mainland with a very nice couple, no kids, two dogs. You'll like it there."

"Well it isn't home, and it's not with Sarah or my friends so I can't say I'll like it. But I guess it sounds okay." John B says in a way that sounds forced, like he's trying to stay calm about it.

"Then it's settled. Three days and you'll have a legal guardian again. Thank you for cooperating this time, John." Cheryl says gathering her things.

"Sure." John B says with a monotone voice.

"I'm sorry for being so much trouble." Sarah says. Not that she means it, but she figures she should say it.

"It is okay ma'am. You clearly just care about your boyfriend. It's admirable. Not all of us have someone who cares about us that much."

Sarah half smiles, as now isn't the time to be happy over someone else's opinion on their relationship.

Cheryl leaves shortly after. John B flops down on the couch, head in his hands, eyes brimmed with tears. The air in the house is heavy. And a loud silence accompanies it.

Not knowing what to do exactly Sarah just sits down next to him and wraps her arms around him. His body relaxes a little, but that also means the tears follow. When he starts crying Sarah just holds him tighter.

They sit like this for maybe half an hour in silence aside from the occasional sob from John B, and reassurance from Sarah.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry Sarah, that I didn't say anything sooner." He chokes out

"Hey hey hey, shhh. It's okay. It is okay. Everything will be okay. I am not mad at you, or disappointed. I love you. I loved you yesterday and I love you today. I'll love you tomorrow and every day after."

"Okay." Is all he says, but she knows it's all he can manage.

"Let's just take a nap, get some sleep, okay?"

"Yeah." John B says.

"You stay here for a minute and I'll be right back."

John B lays down on the couch while Sarah goes and makes his bed. Changing the sheets, tidying up around the bed, organizing a little bit. Just trying to make it a little nicer.

When she returns to the couch Sarah finds John B half asleep, mumbling something. She notices how he looks so soft yet sad even in his sleep. He doesn't look fully relaxed, somehow he is still holding his ground even asleep.