The Professionalism of Social Workers
Back in the conference room, Mrs. Lopez found Nathan still toying with an unopened envelope. "You haven't read your letter yet?"
Nathan looked up and Mrs. Lopez flinched a little at the expression on his face. "I hate him. I don't want to go with him. Please don't make me."
Mrs. Lopez twisted inside and tried to remember a time when she'd loved her job. Nope, nothing. "Nathan, today is possibly the worst day of your life. Don't go making permanent decisions on a day like this. You have to go somewhere. And he is your father."
Nathan huffed and looked away. "He's a genetic donor. Hardly qualifies him to be a dad."
Mrs. Lopez sat and took Nathan's hand. This sad boy, so close to being destroyed. Maybe he already was. "Give him a chance. He's in a weird place too. He at least knows what it means to raise a child. And you'll have a brother, too."
Nathan didn't respond and Mrs. Lopez felt the twist tighten. Finally he whispered. "It's just been me and her, my whole life. Her family disowned her when she told them she was going to have a baby. I've never even met them. How do I go from that to brothers and fathers? How do I leave my home and friends for a place I've never even seen? It's not fair." By now he was crying, and the little piece of Mrs. Lopez that hadn't been killed by a thousand stories like this and worse cried with him.
"I won't lie to you. It won't be easy. The next few months are probably going to be harder than any boy your age should ever have to deal with. But remember your mom. Everyone at the bank loved her, and said she was a wonderful mother. Your neighbors said the same. You have the right tools to make it through this, because of her. She gave you what you need. Dan, well, he's just caught off guard. But he did come charging in to my office, determined to give you a home, the minute he found out about you. That at least says something." She held back her opinion that it said he was an arrogant, possessive jerk. She had the feeling Nathan would figure that out on his own. "There is one more thing, you know. Your mom didn't give custody to Dan alone. She also named his wife. They're divorced, so it's going to be a nightmare to figure it out, but right now, you have a stepmom. Karen may be the right person to help you through this." Lord, how she hoped so.
Nathan looked up at the word stepmom. "I don't want her. I don't want another mother."
"She won't be another mother. She'll be another woman who might, if you'll let her, play a role in your life. Just... Nathan, you are alone in the world right now. Give these people a chance, at least." Nathan looked at her, miserable, and finally gave a brief, tiny nod. She took his hand and smiled. "Dan and I have agreed he can take you back to your house tonight. Tomorrow there's a hearing, and after that more hearings and paperwork. Even though you don't technically qualify, I'm requesting a Court Appointed Special Advocate for you, because of the circumstances. They'll be here to talk to you tomorrow morning before the hearing. The CASA's job is to represent your interests, sort of like a lawyer but not. You can tell him or her whatever you want. They'll also talk to Dan and me, to try and get a larger picture of the situation. I'm going to go check on Dan. Why don't you read your letter, and then you can go home." She left Nathan, alone with his thoughts, and his letter. Finally, he opened it.
"My dear sweet boy..."