When the kids were watching a movie Kim and Chris started talking.
"Kim," Chris asked, "You said you volunteered at an orphanage when you were 13. What was that like?"
"It was one of the fondest memories of my young adulthood," Kim said, "I got to make a difference to so many people. I paired children and babies up with families and it made such a difference to see the children find homes and the parents make their homes complete."
"I used to volunteer in a hospital," Chris said, "In the pediatric ward."
"Was that the hospital I was in," Kim asked.
Chris nodded.
"There was a baby girl there who needed a lung transplant. I remember fighting for her to get it."
"Did she end up getting it," Kim asked.
Chris nodded.
"She'll be thirteen next week," he said.
Kim's eyes lit up and her smile made his day. He always loved her smile.
"There were only seven beds in the orphanage and seven cribs," she said after a minute her voice turning sad, "They used to put the kids to sleep if they weren't adopted within 2 weeks."
"Are you serious," Chris asked her taking her hand as her eyes filled up with tears.
He kissed away her tears.
"I got fired from my volunteer job when I was 14 because I refused to put a baby to sleep," Kim said.
"It's not a dog or a cat," Chris said.
"In Vietnam it's different," Kim explained, "I was never afraid to be the odd one out though. I always fought for what I believe is right."
"Kim," Chris said, "You're not the odd one out."
"I'm different," Kim said with a sad smile.
"Being different doesn't make you the odd one out. It makes you strong. It makes you beautiful on the inside and the outside," Chris said, "Besides we're all different in some way or another."
"That's true," Kim said.
"Mommy," Tam called from the couch, "Can Hao sleep over tonight?"
"Sorry buddy," Chris said, "She has daycare tomorrow but she can sleep over during the weekend."
"Okay," Tam said, "Thank you"
"Is Tam always so accepting," Lara asked.
"Oh yeah," Chris said, "I wasn't when I was a child though."