"It's not fair." Derek fumed. "You promised. You said you wouldn't take any more kids with Sarah and Desi in school."

"Derek James Morgan. I know that I did not raise a son that is selfish and mean. Those poor kids have been through enough. What is not fair is that they will be put in the Detention Center when they didn't do anything wrong."

"Then let someone else take them."

"No one can take both of them and we can." Fran sighed. "I know I promised. And I'm sorry but right now they need a little kindness and"

"I know, I know 'what you do to the least of these people, you do unto me'" Derek knew the verse very well. It was his mother's favorite.

"Jackie says they are trying to find the father as fast as they can." Fran gave her son a one armed hug. "And they're high school kids. So you don't have to dress anyone or feed them and no one wets the bed."

"Fine." Derek gave up. "But does he have to sleep in my room?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

The doorbell cut off Derek's reply.

"Good. That's them. Be nice. And smile. Or at least stop scowling." Fran said over her shoulder as she left the room

He could hear his mother opening the door.

"Thank you for letting us stay with you, Mrs Morgan." He could hear a girl's voice. "We're sorry to be an imposition."

"You are no such thing. We're happy to have you."

Derek resisted the urge to disagree. His mother's mind was set and he had no doubt she'd tear up his permission form to play ball in a heartbeat.

"Derek say hello to Penelope and Spencer." Fran said from the doorway.

"Hey" Derek stopped short as he looked at the two kids. The girl was alright, kind of chubby. But her brother. His mother said the guy was a junior like him. But this kid was tiny. Stick skinny and short. He was practically hiding behind his sister, staring at the floor. Bad enough Derek had to share his room, he was stuck with some kind of mutant kid.

"Hello Derek." Penelope smiled. "Say hello to Derek, Spence." She said to her brother.

Derek thought he heard the kid mutter something to the floor.

"He is kind of shy." Penelope said blushing a little.

A timer went off in the kitchen. "I hope you kids are hungry." Fran gently pushed them toward the kitchen. "Don't worry, everything is going to be fine. You'll see."

Yeah, Derek thought to himself. It's going to be great.