Michael had been somewhat elated when they drove out of the trailer park. Maybe he would be able to live in a house, a real house, without wheels. He had always thought that if he could just get into a real home, he would be able to stay, and maybe like Isabelle and Max, he would have a family.
However, as the streets and houses past, he started to feel trepidation setting in. Soon they were on the outskirts of town and he was barely hiding the anxiety he was feeling. It wasn't until they past the "Now Leaving Roswell" sign, that Michael got up enough courage to ask where he was going.
"Arizona." Mr. Sanchez said simply, glancing over his shoulder at Michael, "Phoenix, to be more exact."
"Why?" Michael asked, his voice betraying his utter fear.
"There's a family there, they have seen your picture and heard all about you." He told him reassuringly, "They want to adopt you Mike, they can't wait to meet you!"
"My name is Michael." Michael muttered under his breath, sitting back in a huff. He didn't want to leave Roswell, not without Max and Izzy. They were his family after all.
"There are two other kids there as well, they are in the process of adopting them. You won't be lonely. They are your age." Mr. Sanchez continued, "Mrs. Davirro assures me that you will fit right in to their family. She will be your new case worker."
Michael stared out the window, ignoring everything Mr. Sanchez said from that point on. Passed on again, like the flu. Or like one of those fruit cake things at Christmas. He sat still staring out the window for several hours until sleep claimed him.
Michael awoke suddenly when he felt the car slowing down. Disoriented for a minute, he frantically looked around trying to understand his surroundings. 'Oh yes," he thought, 'Arizona…'
"This is Phoenix?" Michael asked looking around at the city passing by. Funny, he thought it would be bigger..
"No," Mr. Sanchez said, pulling on to the off ramp. "This is Tuscon. Phoenix is about two more hours North of here. We are meeting Mrs. Davirro here, she will take you the rest of the way."
The car pulled up in front of a Denny's and the two got out. Mrs. Davirro was waiting at a booth inside, talking on her cell phone. The three quickly ate, and left the restaurant.
Mrs. Davirro drove slow, Michael didn't like her at all. She would barely even look at him, didn't answer any of his questions, and to top off things she had a big nose and crooked teeth. He fondly started referring to her as Snaggle tooth, to himself of course. After three more hours on the I-10, they finally arrived at their destination. West Phoenix, and his new life.