Homebound

Chapter 8

     

     "Alright, thanks for keeping me updated," Robert speaks into his home office's phone and slams it in frustration.

       "What's wrong, love?" Laura asks in worry as she enters the door with a glass of water he forgets to drink. He graciously takes it from her and greedily gulps it down.

        

      "It was Mrs. Katz. She has no luck in finding another home for Asher. It's been a month already! I didn't know it will take so long." He fills Laura in with all the details. She sits there in silence with her mouth in a tight line. Robert doesn't like the look on her face. It makes him nervous.

       "I know Asher is a burden you didn't sign up for. I think I'll tell Mrs.-"

       "Asher isn't a burden." She snaps stunning Robert into silence. "He's extremely helpful and he plays with Joshua. He's a gentleman and does whatever I ask without complaining. I want to foster Asher." Robert never heard Laura demand for anything except for him to see his long-lost son. Robert suspiciously stares at Laura and frowns at her.        

      "Is this because of your regret?"

      "That's none of your business." She turns red in the face.

      "We didn't want my son. What makes you think that you want a stranger?"

       "I wanted your son."

       "Yet, you didn't take him."

       "I didn't have to adopt him. It's your son, and you didn't take responsibility."

       "We're not capable of handling a teenager."

       "We're doing fine with Delilah, and she's close to being one."

        "He's a delinquent."

         "He did nothing illegal!"

         "The reason he's here in the first place is because he broke into a store!"

         "He's trying."

        "Yeah, right. If I didn't chaperone him, then he would probably be apart of some gang."

         "It's not his fault you have trust issues."

          They stare each other down until Robert looks away. "I win!" Laura raises her hand in triumph.          

         "I let you."

         "We're calling a family meeting then. Children! We need you!"

          Delilah arrives first, looking bored. Joshua comes in next with a guilty expression on his face. "I didn't do anything."

         "They weren't accusing us of anything." Delilah derides.

        "Hey, no fighting." Both parents say at the same time.