How could she do this? I thought. She knows there is no way I'd ever want to live with her.
I walked inside, where Josh was making breakfast, and Colleen was sitting on the couch.
"Anything good in the mail?" Colleen began.
"No, only something horrible." I said.
"Horrible?" Josh replied.
"My mom wants custody." I started. "She wrote me a note about it, and I don't know what to do. I guess I'll arrange to meet her for lunch." They both nodded at me, and I went off into the other room to set up lunch.
We met at a nearby restaurant, and we sat.
"So, you got my letter?" My mom began saying, but I wasn't gonna let her say a sob story to try to make me say yes.
"Yes, I did. No, you cannot do take me away." I got up, and went outside. She ran behind me, and pulled me away.
"Excuse me? Don't just run out like that!" She yelled.
"Don't act like my mom now." I began. "Too late. When I was young, maybe you could've done it then. When you were in jail, you never even bothered connecting with me, and now you decide to. Well, it's not gonna work. You can't take me away from Colleen and Josh. They're wonderful, and so much better than you were. You may get legal custody, but know this: I refuse to love you like a parent. And besides, if you do truly love me, you'd let me stay and live with Colleen and Josh." And with that, I got on my bike, and left.
I stopped at a store on the way home, and grabbed a few things. While at the store, I ran into some old foster parents. I passed them hoping they would recognize me, but the mom did. She tried starting conversation, where I kindly talked, but I ended up having to leave.
All of the back to school stuff was up, and it reminded me that I had to sign up for a school soon enough. I wasn't too wild about this idea, but I guess it was a necessity. I got a few notebooks and such, but in an abandoned cart by me, there was a tiny kitten. This confused me. I didn't know exactly what to do, but I put my stuff in the top of the cart, and continued walking. I didn't have much money, but I had barely enough to buy some essentials for this cat. I really hoped Colleen and Josh would approve.
I left the store, and put the ever so small cat in the basket of my bike with a small blanket, and got about halfway home, when I realized I had promised to meet Juliana at her house. I was able to change that to meeting at an ice cream parlor. She arrived, looking very excited, and I was guessing it was because of the tiny kitten cradled in my arms.
"That's adorable!" She said, petting it. "Guess what!"
"What?" I replied.
"Chad has a heartbeat. And you and I can visit him later!" She exclaimed!
"That's a miracle!" I said jumping up! We set up a later time to visit him, and with that, I went home.
I walked in with the cat, and Colleen ran towards me, excited.
"Where'd you find this cute little thing? " She asked. I told her everything that happened.
"I don't know if we can permanently keep them, but I'll see. Josh is on his way home now, and we have to talk to you." Colleen said. We set up the essentials for the cat, and awaited Josh's return.
About a half hour later, he returned home. He had grocery bags, and a little gift bag. We greeted him, and after he put the groceries away, he noticed the little cat. We explained what had happened, and he understood, and was okay if we had them for a while.
Josh got out the little gift bag, and handed it to me. I was told not to open it quite yet, but they did have to talk to me. I wasn't sure if this was good news, or horrible news. I sat down, prepared to hear about a court meeting for a custody battle.
"Well," Colleen began. "We think we're going to try to adopt you." I gasped.
"Really?" I said, hugging them both tightly. I was at home, and I was happy.
The time came to visit Chad, and entering the room felt wonderful.
"Mike?" Chad said.
"Yes, it's me." I replied. Juliana came back soon, and we all were happy.
"And here's your watch," I said, giving Chad the watch.
"Keep it." He said to me.
I got back home happily, cuddling the cat, and enjoying myself, when my mom was at the door, holding papers. They were her rights, that she was signing away.
"Thank you," I said, as did Josh and Colleen.
I was happy.
