A Boy with No Where to Go

The Awaited Day

Emily was beginning to get butterflies in her chest as she looked at the calendar. She barely got any sleep the night before and she was exhausted. That didn't stop her from rushing to her closet to get the best clothes she had and hurrying to brush her hair and teeth. Her mind wandered to how Henry might react. Was he still mad at her? Would he ever be able to forgive her? Unbearable thoughts began creeping their way into her mind. What if he ran away just like he did to his foster parents? What if she wasn't able to support him like a real mother should? 

A knock echoed throughout her apartment as she put on the last bit of make up. She quickly made her way to the door and turned the knob to find her best friend standing in front of her. As well as her neighbor that had been the one to send Henry away that got her into this mess. She gave the two a questioning smile and stepped aside to let the two of them in. "What are you guys doing here?" she asked. Margaret would be there, but why was Jacob? 

"Well, I came to give you any support that you might need!" Margaret exclaimed as she gave her best friend a small hug, Emily glanced over at Jacob and saw his eyes flick up to hers for a second before he started looking at the floor. 

"I...wanted to apologize. Not only to you, but to Henry, too," he explained. A small smile fluttered across Emily's lips. "I just...wanted to let you know that if there's anything I can do for you while you guys are living here, just let me know. I know that it probably isn't enough after everything I put the two of you through, but...I felt terrible after it. When I heard that you were doing your best to adopt him, I felt even more guilty. So...I'm sorry," he finally said. Emily's smile finally showed and she reached out and grabbed his hands. 

"Thank you, Jacob. Would you like to come with Margaret and I to the courthouse? I could definitely use some other people there to cheer me on," she said to him. Jacob sighed and shook his head. 

"Sorry, but I have plans today. I'll apologize when you guys come back," he explained. Emily nodded and smiled. She took a deep breath before grabbing her bag and heading out the door with Margaret right beside her and Jacob behind them. Jacob shut the door and waved goodbye to the two women as they made their way to Emily's car. 

"Today's the day, huh?" Margaret asked as she gazed out the window. 

"Today's the day," Emily replied as she started her car and drove away from her apartment. Meanwhile, Henry was let in utter confusion as his foster parents made him change into a nice polo and dress pants. He'd never been allowed to wear this type of clothing. Was he being sent away to another family? That would make sense considering how all of his things (which were not a lot) were being packed up by his foster mom. She and his foster dad were both grumbling and complaining. '

Silently, they shoved his things in the car and opened the back door for him. "Get in," his foster dad ordered. 

"Why? Where are we going?" he asked them suspiciously. 

"Don't ask questions. Just. Get. In!" the male in front of him yelled. Henry flinched, but did as his foster dad said. The man slammed the door shut and got into the driver's seat. He started the car and pulled out of the drive way. 

"What about Caroline?" Henry asked referring to the new foster girl they had. 

"We locked her in her room so she can't get hurt. She'll be fine on her own for a bit," the man responded. 

"Animals," Henry muttered under his breath. He watched as they went through town and onto a highway. Thirty minutes later, they were stopped at the courthouse. "What are we doing here?" Henry asked. His voice was a little shaky. Going to the courthouse could only mean one thing...adoption. But, he didn't want to be adopted by these two monsters. Fear began to explode in his mind as he followed behind them. His face went pale and he was having a hard time keeping his breathing steady. Was he really going to be forced to live with these people for the rest of his life?