Synchronized Swimming

Chapter 41: Goodbye Parents

Mr. Blackbourne

Sean's being annoying.

Again.

We're currently sitting in my study, debating what to do with Miss Sorenson.

"We should stick a little oxygen tank in her suit so she can breathe when she's swimming," Sean suggests. I scowl.

"That's cheating."

"We should attach air balloons to the inside of her suit so that she'll float more."

"Cheating."

"What about chlorine filtering contacts? I'm sure Kota could whip something up."

"Cheating. And impossible." I glare at my best friend. "Besides, you're deflecting from my original question. What should we do with Miss Sorenson after nationals?"

Sean sinks lower in his chair, rubbing his face anxiously. "I don't know Owen, that's the problem," he says.

I mimic his despair. There's no way I'm letting her go back to that awful household. The only problem is that her mother gave me temporary custody of Miss Sorenson through July only, so after that I have no right to act as her guardian.

We could adopt her. Then the Academy would watch over her and make sure she didn't get into trouble. But again, this isn't enough because I have the sense that most of Miss Sorenson's wounds can't be seen on the surface. She may have some outer scars, but most of her damage is emotional courtesy of Mrs. Sorenson. Her nightmares are evidence enough of her twisted childhood.

I could try and get Mr. and Mrs. Sorenson to let Miss Sorenson live with us permanently. I tried to contact them after Miss Sorenson passed out, just to keep them updated, but I couldn't reach either of them. We haven't heard anything from Miss Sorenson's parents since I worked through the legal forms with Mrs. Sorenson weeks ago.

"We should just adopt her already," Sean says, "The Academy knows about her so we might as well."

He has a point. We had to tell them when we took her on as a swimmer, and also tell them when she found out about the Academy. I wince- we nearly got docked a huge amount of favors for that little incident.

"I'll ask the boys. I'm sure they'll say yes, but still," I say. Sean nods in agreement.

We need a better solution than just adopting her. I try to come up with another one, but fail miserably. I can only ask for permanent guardianship if there's proof that the Sorensons still can't provide for Miss Sorenson come July.

We sit in silence for a couple of minutes. I mentally plan how to tell the boys that yes we can adopt Miss Sorenson, but no I see no way to have her stay with us after nationals. Next year just won't be the same without her.

Someone knocks frantically on the door. I give Sean a confused look and call for them to come in. Mr. Morgan bursts into the room, out of breath and panicked. Sean and I stand when we see him.

"Mr. Morgan?" I question. He has an open computer in his arms, which he sets down on my desk.

"Okay, so I was doing my thing you know, and doing some minor stalking online- since that's kind of my job, and then I found this website-"

"You're rambling Mr. Morgan, control yourself," I order. Mr. Morgan takes a deep breath to settle himself.

"The Sorensons sold their house," he says.

I start to grow frustrated at his panic over a house. "We knew that was an option, so why were you so out of control?" I ask. Mr. Morgan looks confused.