Making a Difference ~Book 2 of The Difference Series~ [BWWM] (Major Editing)

「Twenty-Four」

As much as I had wanted to stay and make up for lost time, I had to go pick up Amora from the foster center. Like usual, I had dropped her off to hang with some old friends while I was at work. I wanted to make things normal as possible for her. After all, all this couldn't have been easy on her.

A frown crossed Leo's face when I laid on the news that it was time for me to leave. His arms didn't move from around my waist as he held me close to his chest. "I'm not ready to say goodbye," he admitted. I smiled softly as the words warmed my heart. "I got an idea." His smile quickly turned upside down as he announced he had come up with a plan. For what, I was unsure. "How about I walk you over to the center?"

The thought had never crossed my mine. The drive would have been easier, but the walk would be longer. It would give us more time together. I mean, I didn't dislike the idea. In fact, it seemed like a good idea. "I would like that," I admitted taking his hand in my own before we made our way to the center.

We quietly walked across the way to the center. No words were exchanged, but it didn't make the walk any less desirable. I just hated it had to end as we walked up the stairs to the porch. Leo withdrew his keys from his pocket and unlocked the front door of the center. It didn't shock me that he had a copy of the key. He did say they gave him a copy of the keys since he helped out.

We were greeted with a pair of small children pushing between us as they ran around the house. "Easy," Leo chuckled. I noticed a few kids curled up on the couches in the front room watching a movie. I looked them over and found none of them to be Amora.

"I'm going to go find Amora," I told him before continuing my search through the house.

"Right behind you," he announced. So, I continued my search through the bottom floor of the house. More kids sat in the dining room with coloring books in front of them and a pile of crayons pushed together in small piles. None of them where Amora though. My heart started pounding as I realized she was nowhere among the group.

"Kids, dinner is almost ready. Go wash your hands," Tai said as she came out of the kitchen with her hair in a ponytail. She was wiping her hands free of flour on her apron as she made her appearance. When she looked up and saw me standing there, she looked confusingly at me as I stood there in a worried mess. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"I can't find Amora," I told her. I tried to stay calm, but the words came out as a shaky mess.

Tai just looked at me with more confusion. "I thought the staff called and told you before they left."

Obviously not or I wouldn't have been a worried mess. This is what I thought. I didn't dare say it though. "Tell me what?" I said instead. My heart was unsteady as I wanted for the answer. Tai looked between the two of us nervously. It was as if she couldn't look me in the eyes, because she broke the eye contact and was looking everywhere else but at me. Seconds passed as no words left her lips. I was impatient. So, I broke the silence. "Tai," I pressed.

"The judge gave her grandma custody. So, Amora is having a visit with her mother in the backyard before she moves in with her grandmother tomorrow. " It felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. I was unsure what to say or how to feel right then. "I'm sorry, Louise." Tai fidget with her hands as she shift from side from side. Her eyes still refused to meet mine. It was obvious she was uncomfortable being the one to give the news to me.

I could have been mad, but that wouldn't help anything. I had to dea with the cards I was dealt. "Where is Amora now?"

"She should be outside with her mom. You didn't see her?" she asked finally making eye contact once more.