Don't laugh at me

Chapter two

I peak into Anthony's dark room and see he is sitting up in bed, so I knock and walk in. when I get closer to him I see he is looking at his moms picture and his eyes are a bit red rimmed. Since he came to me a year ago I've learned to not draw attention to him when he is upset like this. I sit down on the other side of the bed and pull my knees to my chest mirroring his position and stare at the wall. He sighs in acknowledgment that I've entered so I look to him.

He sets the picture down and turns his face up to mine. He is such a handsome young man and I can only assume that one day he will break many girls' hearts just with his shockingly green eyes. His mother had blue eyes so I only have to assume that they come from his father's side. He has the same black hair as his mom did. She was beautiful as well, so I say so.

"She was beautiful, ya know."

"Yeah, she was. She was a wonderful person." His lip trembles so I look down to give him his space.

"So are you ready for today? You don't have to go if you don't want." I give him an out for the hundredth time because I know he needs it. When he first came to me I noticed he would struggle through every court proceeding, every meeting with the case worker, and every funeral arrangement. I learned early on that he was amazingly brave and would suffer through whatever was put in front of him if he wasn't given some kind of out letting him know it was okay to take a break. In short he is an amazing 15 year old boy, and I'm so blessed to have gotten him when his mom passed away from a brain aneurysm last year.

"I know I don't have to go, you always say that. This though I do have to do. I need to know where my future lies and if I have family out there." Today we were meeting with the lawyer to find out if he had any family even just a cousin that would claim him. The term claim irritated me to no end. He isn't lost luggage, he's a hurt child. They told me when he was brought to me that they chose me specifically because I do well with long term cases. The courts always had the idea that he didn't have any family left. His grandparents had died a few years back and his mother was an only child as were her parents. The only hope we had for him to have some family was depending on whether his father was dead or just a dead beat dad. I assumed the latter and hoped for the former. There's nothing worse than not feeling wanted and that's how negligent parents made you feel.

"I understand. Have you thought about my offer?"

"I love you guys and this place, I really do. I just want to know if I have family left. I have thought about it and I think I'd like to stay with you for a while even if we do find some family of mine." He was such a smart kid and I wanted nothing more than to keep him. We had become so close over the last year and I didn't want to say goodbye. This poor child had been through so much and I needed to protect him but I couldn't make empty promises and we both knew how the system worked. If family was found he would have to go with them and I couldn't stop it without evidence that it was unfit. The courts would verify D.N.A. and lineage and then do a home check and background check and then he would be taken from me. I must have had a sad look on my face because I felt him put his hand over mine. This kid amazed me. He was so kind and truly cared about others. I look up and smile at him and then pull him into a hug and tell him to get ready.

My phone buzzes on my way to my bedroom to change out of my pajamas and I know by the ringtone 'bless the broken road' by rascal flats that it's Alice. So I answer it and put it on speaker phone while I get dressed.

"Hey ally what's up?"

"Nadda, are we still going to the cemetery after your appointment with the lawyers today?" Alice served with Benjamin. She was the medic who was attached to their unit. They met in high school and had been best friends and enlisted together. They were so happy to get stationed together. She wasn't able to come home for the funeral here but was part of the memorial held over there. We were always friends but when we lost ben it pulled us closer together and now I would call her my best friend. Me and Alice had been going to the cemetery every other Saturday since she g" to back from deployment. It was our thing and when Anthony came to me it became all our things. His mom wasn't buried in the same cemetery but we would stop off at the cemetery that she was before heading to bens. It gave him time to grieve after being near his mom and it gave all of us something to bond over.

"Absolutely, don't know what kind of mood we will be in. maybe the normalcy will soften whatever blow we get."

"Well ben always seems to intervene and make things better. Even since his death he has brought us together and given you the ability to help Anthony through this. I'm sure no matter what happens he will be with you through it."

"True. I just wish I knew what to hope for. Well we got to get going see you at the grave. Love ya"

"Alright love you to lady. I'm going to shoot Anthony a text maybe try and lighten his mood. Later"

If you dint know better you may mistake them for aunt and nephew. They look very similar. Sometimes they joke about maybe if they got a D.N.A. test they would come out as related. I've wondered sometimes honestly because Alice is adopted. Wouldn't that be weird? I laugh to myself as we head to the car. Anthony looks up and I shake my head. On the long ride to the courthouse we pretended to listen to music while we both mulled over what may happen in less than an hour. I was scared but didn't show it to Anthony the kid had enough worries for his small shoulders to bear.

"Here we are." I say after parking the car but make no move to get out. Anthony squares his shoulders and opens the door. I get out as well because if he can put on his big boy pants then so can I. deep breathe and go. I repeat this to myself over and over as we walk into the building.

Authors note: sorry this took so dang long to get up but I was busy with my real life kiddoes'. I noticed I slipped up and called 'Derrek' Dominick in the last chapter. Dominick is my real life 5 yr. old and Derrek is him. I'm just going to change the name to Dominick because I have all my other kiddos names in here so why not? So I'm gonna write another chapter as soon as I am done posting this one to make up for my absence. What do you guys want to happen? What do you think will happen? Do you like Bella? Are any of you in the military or spouses? Just wondering whose pretty please with a cherry on top review!? Thanks in advance guys love ya!