Just us- SBI adoption story (Just me and him book 2)

Chapter 82: friends and foes

Tommy's POV:

I looked at the shirt and jumper layed out on my bed. Phil had woken me up, helped me go to the toilet and brush my teeth before bringing me back here. Clothes already layed out in front of me: this was supposed to be easy. Just put them on, Tommy. School was good yesterday and I liked it. Today is my only full day of the week and it's a Friday. That means tomorrow I'm going rock climbing which will be fun. 

I stared at the clothes again, frustrated that it was so difficult when I knew how to do it so easily. I was getting better though. I got my boxers on then school trousers. They had an elastic waist just like my cargo trousers so I could just pull them on and I was done. The shirt was a bit tricker because lining up the velcro took a lot of time and concentration. But I did it! Last was my socks and then my school jumper.

Dragging my school jumper down the stairs, Phil said, "Tommy I don't mind if you want to leave it off for now but please pick up it, it's clean." I whined and chucked it over near my school bag. "Woah, nope, we're not doing that. Pick it up please."

"Yea."

"Yea, pick it up please and bring it over here to me."

"Yea." I said again, still stood in the middle of the living room, still sockless and with my arms folded. Phil wasn't as scary as Dad.

"Tommy, let's start the day with sensible decisions please. You've done great at getting yourself dressed, please pick up the jumper and bring it here." I studied his face for a second, it wasn't scary but it was stern. There was no more messing about. I picked up the jumper.

"Thank you," he said, taking it and folding it neatly. I wished I could fold things that neatly. "Now, what do you want for breakfast?" I shrugged, climbing up on the breakfast bar stools and putting my feet on the counter.

"One of those moods today huh bud," Ma said, walking into the kitchen, "feet off the counter, where did you put the socks I put out?" I just shook my head.

"Tommy, we've got two options." Phil held a hand out for each option, an okay alternative when my iPad wasn't around. "You go get the socks that Kristin put out this morning and bring them downstairs or you go get a new pair of socks." I crossed my arms again. "Okay, we can continue this disagreement upstairs whilst we're taking a minute. Kristin can you just make sure the boys do their meds whilst I sort this out."

Phil held his hand out for me to take. I did take it eventually, after a couple warnings maybe, but I did take it. We sat on my bed for a bit, using my iPad. "Are you a bit nervous about school today Tommy?" He asked, sifting though piles of my socks most of which weren't matched up because I liked taking the pairs apart.

"Yea." I said quietly.

"Next time, let's explain our feelings rather than making bad decisions about how we behave, but thank you for telling me. James is going to be there like he was yesterday and you're going to have a bunch of fun."

"No." I said several times, pressing the button harder and harder each time.

"Yes you will, now how about these socks?" I felt them tentatively and gave a shaky nod. As he was putting them on, he carried on talking to me calmly, all that stern face from earlier totally gone. "When it gets too much, James can take you for a break just like he does at home. And you'll get to see Beau again. Would you like it if she came round to hang out soon?"

That idea perked me up again and I nodded excitedly, biting my lip and stimming.

"Morning Tommy!" Techno said from my doorway which elicited squeals from me. "Want to come get breakfast with me?" I stood up, my sock still halfway on and rushed downstairs with Techno. He helped me fix my sock when I got down there and we talked about the new book we'd just started reading.