Lauren Cimorelli

Chapter 11: Departure

Lauren's POV

I don't think I've ever felt so sad looking at an officer before. Normally I could always feel a calmness and protective feeling around law enforcement but this was not one of those times. I stared at Detective Morgan, I had a thousand words to say and yet nothing came out. I'm sure he took the hint when I didn't even offer him to come inside.
"Is Skylar here?" He asked.
"Ya, hang on..." I looked over my shoulder and saw Sklar still motionless on the couch. I didn't want to call out to him so I walked over behind the couch to tap him on the shoulder. Before I could though Mom stopped me.
"Just give me a minute with him first"
I complied to her will and sat down next to Skylar instead of leading him to the door. I couldn't hear anything he was saying but I was able to pick up a couple words my mom said. Like the first thing she asked sounded like, " is there any way for Skylar to avoid adoption?" Out of curiosity I left Skylar's side to eavesdrop on her conversation.
"What if I adopted him?" Her question caught me off guard but he immediately shot it down, something about it being a lot of time, paperwork, and waiting lists before she could be considered for adoption.
"What if I signed to be his legal gaurdian?"
It had an effect on him because he stopped and looked at her for a moment as if he was analyzing her.
"I have a friend who works as a councilwoman for the state" she added. I knew who she was talking about, our neighbor seven doors down was Mrs. Farnsworth who did in fact work for the state. My mom called her while Detective Morgan waited on the front porch steps. After another couple of minutes i head her say "...ok thank you for your help. Bye."
"What did she say?" I asked hurriedly and hesitantly.
With a sigh she looked at me and explained everything. It sounds like it would be easier to claim responsibility for him rather than trying to go through the adoption system. She could get the paperwork done by tomorrow but it would take almost a week for it to be heard by the state court system. The last thing was the hardest to hear, the last thing she informed my mom was that she would have to give Skylar to the officer or else she could be prosecuted.
"Skylar do you have everything of yours?"
"Uh I think I left my phone in the casita"
"Lauren would you be a dear and go grab it while I help Skylar to some of your fathers old clothes."
"Okay"
I went outside and couldn't stop thinking about how crazy this whole weekend has been. I was supposed to just spend the day at Ellie's house wasting the day away swimming in the pool and watching Netflix with her on the couch.
It wasn't hard to find his phone it was still on the night stand. I picked it up and turned it on.
7:03
I brought the phone inside just as my mom and Skylar were walking down the stairs. She took the phone from me and handed it to him.
Skylar? What's your number in case I need to reach you?
He began reciting it as my mom wrote it on the sticky note on the kitchen counter. After that she wrote down what I'm assuming was her number and she said to call it if he ever needed anything.
Then with a nod and a wave he left with his back pack slung over shoulder.