Hidden Burdens (working title)

Ben and his wife, Kayla, are foster parents who take in kids who have had a difficult start to life to share all the love they can give. It was a dream since he was a kid, after losing a buddy to abuse. He feels the need to help every kid he possibly can and feels like a failure if he doesn't.

Soon, he meets Kimmy, a quiet, mute kid who reminds him so much of his old childhood friend and is afraid there's more going on than what's on the surface. But as Kimmy slowly opens up, he learns she's just a sensitive soul like him, carrying a burden she shouldn't have to carry.

(This is a realistic-as-possible story while still being fictional about foster care and the kids who are placed in care. I have both researched how things for the state of Arizona's Department of Children's Services are handled and from foster parents on YouTube)