Gosh, we left off with Annabeth being asked where she has lived. What is she supposed to say? Oh, I was at camp and then Tarturus for a while.

Percy's hand tightens on my shoulder.

"What's wrong?" I ask him.

"She, uh, she kind of ran away from home when she was seven. And then she was at camp. It's just a mess. We have barely lived here three years. It's her only place to talk about."

I bit my lip as Annabeth starts talking again.

"I'm not sure what you mean. Hazel's name is the main one on the house, but Piper handles our finances most of the time."

"The psychologist?"

"Now all we need," Percy whispers, "Is a way to get Piper in there. She can talk this all away."

"Do you guys really think this is the best option? What happens when it wears off?"

I look between Percy and Piper. "When what wears off?"

They ignore me. "Just get her to sign something, she can't go around saying she doesn't remember filling out official permission forms. Right?"

It is only when Piper shuffles out of the room that anyone bothers to explain anything to me.

Jason says, "Piper can talk people into things. It's called charmspeak. They will believe anything she says, basically."

"Hmm. I guess that can come in handy."

"So, sorry to interrupt, Ms. Mackberry, but I do believe I forgot to hand off an important record of Ms. Chase's living situations. This is what you needed. Everything is on there. Just sign your little papers and forget this one right here."

"The blank piece of paper?"

Note extreme slurring of her words. The more Piper talks the more Ms. Mackleberry repeats the lie back to her. Although, the next thing she says may be even worse.

"I have all the paperwork for that. That is all I need from you right now, Ms. Chase, thank you for your time. Next, I need to speak to Mr. Jackson."

We all turn to each other as if this wasn't suspected.

As Percy gets up to walk away, I stage whisper, "Tuck in your shirt!"

[A cat meows over the speaker.]

MS. M: "What was that?"

P: "That's Frank's ringtone, he must have left it in here somewhere. Should we sit down?"

So far so good, I think, don't do anything stupid.

"Alright, Perseus Jackson is your full name, correct?"

"Yes, ma'am."

[Unintelligible mumbling about it being an odd name.]

"Here it says Azher almost got into a physical fight, but as the coach, you didn't report it."

I realize that he knows we are all listening.

Annabeth plops on the floor near me, "I knew you guys would want to eavesdrop. How's he doing?"

"She asking him about school," I respond. She stays quiet.

"It was the first day and both of their first offenses. I had a hard time in school when I was young, so I try to be patient with kids."

"Does this mean you don't plan to hold any kind of discipline in the house because-"

"There is a difference between discipline to explain and model better choices and not asking questions before giving a student detention. You said they almost got into a fight, but they hadn't, not yet. I believe what the other student was shouting at Carter was very hateful and horribly transphobic. That is not okay. I talked to that student separately and explained that I didn't think staying after school a few times would help anything. I told them why comments like that are hurtful and why we don't say that. I haven't have to speak to either of them twice.

[A pause.]

"Well said, Mr. Jackson. I hope I don't need to explain why I have to ask these next few questions. Have you experienced abuse? Do you drink? Or are you angered easily?"

"I don't drink at all. I don't get angry very much, unless someone I love has gotten severely injured, but even then, I imagine I react appropriately. I grew up with an abusive stepfather, that is one reason I choose to never raise my voice around children. My mother is the only reason I got through those years."

"Why did she stay with him, your mother?"

Annabeth squeezes my hand and says a curse under her breath.

"Do you have another question for me on topic for this interview, Ms. Mackleberry?"

[Papers are being shuffled.]

"Tell me about yourself Mr. Jackson. Why do you think you and Ms. Chase are fit to be foster parents? What will show to be your strengths?"

"Wow, um, well, the people in this house are all very smart. You probably know about Annabeth's education. Leo is a successful mechanical engineer, Jason is a flight instructor, Piper is a trained children and adolescents therapist, Frank is a large animal vet and zoo keeper, and Will is a nurse, I couldn't list all of the things we can teach Carter. Between all of us, we speak English, Italian, Greek, Latin, and Spanish, Louisiana French and Canadian French."

[Ms. Mackleberry chuckles.]

"You all hold quite the resume, Mr. Jackson."

"Thanks."

"But, I want to hear about you."

"What do you know about Azher's biological parents?"

"Um, not much, I thought they passed."

"It seems the father is alive. What do you think would be your reaction if Ms. Carter, the father, was to try to re-enter Azher's life?"

[Long pause.]

"It is often the best for children to be with their biological parents. But, the man would have to prove he was capable enough

"I think that's the most words I've ever heard him say at once," says Annabeth.