The Southern Bank

Chapter 3

The hardest part of saying goodbye to William was turning his room into a spare room. taking off the Toy Story bed sheets, putting the toys in trash bags to give to the local Goodwill, and repainting the walls from light blue to seashell white. I walked outside to my car with the trashbags and hopped into the driver's seat. I drove thirty minutes into town to the Goodwill, the lady there was nice enough to get the bags out for me. I drove to a cafe on Main Street, so I could meet my father.

"April!" My dad said arms opened wide for a hug. "Dad!" I replied with a sigh, going in for the hug. I had a good relationship with my father, not my mother, so I took that long hug. We both sat down across from each other. I leaned forward with my crossed arms on the table, "I am so sorry for the loss, I already miss him." He began, he cleared his throat before continuing "I honestly wish I was at William's funeral, I was at work and they held me there and didn't let me leave." I reached out for his hand and gave him a warm smile. "I think he'd understand," I noted. My father works as a Psychiatrist

in Atlanta. He drove an hour and thirty minutes just to see William on the weekend and holidays. "What did you do today?" Dad asked. I gave him a quick smile and stated "I cleaned out and painted William's room, I also took all his toys to the local Goodwill." he nodded. He looked out the window and then back to me. "I think you should try the foster system." my eyes widened when he said that. "Dad I'm still mourning the loss of my child, What makes you think I'm ready to continue mothering?" I say defensively. he look down at his hands and continued what he was going to say before I stopped him, "I had a friend from the town over who died a few months ago and he had a son, his son's name is Ivan he is 12 years old." I looked at him with my arms crossed on my chest. "I am sorry for your lost," I added. "Thank you, but I hope you consider. It might help fill the empty hole in your chest," he assured her. I hugged him goodbye and walked out the door to my car. Before I got in my phone binged a text from my dad.

The address for the adoption home is - East End ST. 132, Brunswick, Georgia.

-Love Dad <3

I gave my phone a tiny smile and got into the car, I drove past the adoption home and parked outside of the home. It was an old Victorian house, it was painted an evergreen color and the roof was brown. I got out instead and headed toward the door. I knocked and an old woman came out and greeted me inside, "Why hello miss, welcome to Brunswick Adoption Home. What may I do for you?" I smiled at her and replied, "Do you know if there is a kid here named Ivan?" The lady walked up the stairs, I stood there not knowing what was happening. After a few minutes, she walks downstairs with a blond-headed boy, "This is Ivan ma'am." I smiled at him and looked at the lady "Is there any way I can do a small trial before officially adopting him, I just lost my son last week and my dad said this might help." I asked, She took us both into this little office area of the house. "My name is Edna Mae, I

am the person you come to when you want to sign official adoption papers." I nodded with a small smile. She gave me a few papers to fill out, about how the trial is supposed to last three months and if

I want to end it early, I go to her. I leave without Ivan because she said I had to make sure the house is okay for a child. I went to the store right after and bought food, clothes, and personal hygiene things that I think he'll need. I unpacked everything I bought. I change his bedsheets and put food in the fridge. I got him some projects he can do for fun. I set up everything in his room and put all the extra things I got him on his bed. He would be here in a few days, that's how long Ms. Mae gave me. I appreciate it as well, I went to bedthat night feeling happy for the first time in a while. I have had a rough two weeks. I laid there for a few minutes before finally falling asleep, I had a few nightmares that night. That Ivan would get killed by the person who murdered William. But I will make sure that will never happen.