smile. || joshler ||

Ch. 34

Tyler and Josh came downstairs to get something to drink when Mrs. Dun stopped them.

"Ty, I got a call from social services and they told me it wasn't legal for you to stay here without me adopting you." His smile fell and she immediately felt guilty, but continued, "I..I can't afford someone else staying here, and I was trying to find a friend willing to adopt you, but I couldn't. And, they told me they either need you to stay with a family member or you'll be put into a foster home."

Josh's arms wrapped around Tyler, feeling the boy trembling slightly in his hold. Josh frowned as he saw Tyler close his eyes tightly, and Josh asked his mom, "You can't think of anyone?"

"No, but Tyler, it'll be okay. You only have 4 months of school, it'll fly by, I promise and you can stay here as much as you want, cause I bet you'll miss this crazy family," She told him, trying to ease the mood, but it didn't work.

He shook his head and got out of Josh's grip, giving her a weak smile, "It's fine, I-I'm gonna take a shower. Thanks for letting me stay here Mrs. Dun."

She watched sadly as he headed upstairs and Josh sighed, he wanted Tyler to be close by. Of course he was suffocated a bit by Tyler staying here, but he never wanted him to be sad and live far away. He was hoping his mom could think of something.

"So, he has to be put in a foster home?" He asked sadly, knowing Tyler always hated the thought of that happening.

She shrugged, "unless there's a family member close by, then yes."

A grin suddenly formed in Josh's face as a memory flashed through his mind, something Tyler told him when he slept over.

"I miss them, my sister and my brothers, we use to go to my Aunt's house all the time, for Christmas and Halloween. Now, my dad made me stop going even though she's not too far from here. I guess cause it's my moms sister, he doesn't like her."

H glanced at his mom and told her, "Hey, I think I have somewhere he can stay, if she's willing to let him."