(Karen knocked lightly on the frame of Nathan's door. He glanced up to see who was there and then went back to stuffing books into his bag.)
Ka: Good morning.
N: (Rolling his eyes.) What's so good about it?
Ka: Nathan I know how angry you are...
N: (Interrupting.) You have no idea how I am feeling.
Ka: Well then why don't you tell me.
N: (Giving her a sarcasstic laugh.) Why so you can ground me?
Ka: I won't ground you Nathan.
N: Well when I expressed my feelings to Dad last night he took away concert tickets that I spent a $120 on. Listen, I am late, I can't find my math book and I am really not interested in talking about anything with you or dad.
Ka: (Walking over to his desk and picking up a book.) Is this what you are looking for?
N: (Taking it from her.) Thanks. (He started to walk away and Karen reached out and grabbed his arm. Nathan stopped but did not turn around until his mom gently guided him around to face her.) What? I really gotta go.
Ka: You have a second to talk Nathan.
N: Fine! Talk then.
Ka: Your dad was angry last night...
N: (Interrupting her again.) Huh, really?
Ka: (Trying to be patient with her angry son.) He was angry mainly because you were talking to him like you are to me right now. He is not use to hearing...
N: ...The truth? Everything I said to him last night is how I felt. I think the way that you guys went about this is a bunch of crap.
Ka: Do you think that this is how we planned it?
N: No! I think that your plan was to never tell us the truth. I think that you were going to hide this from us forever. Like you have always told me when I get busted in a lie, "These kind of things have a way of coming back and biting you in the ass".
Ka: Nathan me and your dad made the decision seventeen years to give up our baby. It was our decision to make.
N: Yeah and your decision to lie to us. If it would have been up to you we would have never known that we had a brother walking around out there. All I know is that I never want to hear you or Dad lecture me on honesty or safe sex again!
Ka: Nathan I admit that I made a lot of mistakes and because of that I hope that I can teach you a better way so that you don't have to make those same mistakes.
N: (He just shook his head. She would never understand what he was going through.) Whatever. Can I go now?
Ka: (Karen just sighed realizing that she was not getting anywhere with the teenager and she just hoped that time would help him understand.) Don't forget to talk to your tutor today after school.
N: I won't. Can you at least talk to Dad and see if I can sell the tickets so I can get my money back?
Ka: (Karen pulled the tickets out of her pocket and held them out to Nathan.) Here.
N: (He took them from her.) Dad is letting me go?
Ka: He overreacted last night.
N: He said that?
Ka: Nathan believe it or not this isn't easy for me and your dad either. We are pretty happy with our lives right now and it is about to change in a big way. He acted on his emotions last night and said and did some things that he admits that he should not have. That is why you are getting to go to your concert. I guess I just hope that you have a few regrets about something that you said last night too.
N: (Nathan looked down because he knew that she was talking about the fact that he told his dad that he hated him.) I'm gonna get going. (He started for the door a second time and then turned around to look at Karen.) Tell him I said thanks for giving me the tickets back. (Karen smiled and shook her head "yes" and Nathan left the room. She knew that she did not make things any better with regards to Lucas coming but at least she hoped that Nathan and Dan would be in a better spot then they left things the night before. Nathan is stubborn just like his dad. Dan would never have gone to Nathan and admitted to him that he had been too hard on him but as soon as Karen told him that she was going to go talk to him, Dan handed her the tickets and told her to give them to him. Nathan would never even think about going to Dan and admitting that he really didn't mean what he said to him the night before but he told Karen to tell Dan, "Thanks for the tickets". It was not technically an apology but for Dan and Nathan it was good enough and it was as close as it was going to get. Karen next made her way to her youngest son who was on his way out of his room.
Ka: Hey. (Chris did not say anything but he had to stop because she was blocking the door.) Am I still getting the silent treatment? (Chris shrugged.) I can't make you talk to me but whenever you are ready...
C: (Interrupting.) I think that you and dad were selfish.
Ka: (Karen was not surprised that he started to talk right away. Chris was the outspoken one of the group and for him to have kept his mouth shut all night said a lot about how upset he was.) Selfish how?
C: Giving that kid up.
Ka: Chris that was the hardest decision of my life. I made that choice so that Lucas could have a better life with a set of parents that loved him and had jobs that could support him. Me and your dad had no idea at the time that we would end up married. We were just out of high school and wanted to go to college. We had no way to support him.
C: Exactly my point. It was about what you wanted. You gave one of your kids to strangers so that you could continue with your life as you had planned. You could have given up college and gotten a job. There were a lot of options. You took the easy way.
Ka: (Karen started to cry at her son's words. All she could think of was that if Chris felt that way Lucas might too.) I am sorry Chris. I can honestly say that I have missed my son everday for seventeen years but I made the decision to give him up believing that it was best for everyone that was involved, including you. Dan and I went to college and got good jobs and were able to provide a nice home for you that allowed you to have things that might not have been possible if we had decided to keep Lucas.
C: I would have rather known my brother then to have a Play Station or an IPod. (With that he pushed past his upset mother. Karen went to the bathroom for a kleenex not realizing Kaylee was still in there putting the finishing touches on her make up. She did not want her to see that she had been crying so she avoided looking at her.)
Karen: Hey sweetie you better hurry before Nathan starts complaining about you making him late.
Kay: I really don't care what Nate says.
Kar: Are your two fighting?
Kay: He is just being a jerk. Nothing new.
Karen: What is it about this time?
Kay: He is trying to tell me to stay away from Peyton.
Karen: I see.
Kay: Do you think that I should?
Karen: What do you think about it?
Ka: I think that I got close to Peyton becasue he dated her for so long. It is not my fault that he cheated on her.
Karen: You are right it is not your fault and it is not fair for him to ask you to stay away but I'm sure that it is just hard for him to see you being able to spend time with her when that is what he wants. He still cares for her. I think that he has hopes that she will forgive him.
Kaylee: I could never forgive a guy that cheated on me. How did you ever forgive Dad?
Karen: Honey why do you think that your dad cheated on me?
Kaylee: Because he got you pregnant, then Deb. He had to have cheated on you.
Karen: Or another possibility would be that he got me pregnant and I didn't tell him because I didn't want him to feel like he needed to give up college. I broke up with him and that is when he got Deb pregnant. When he found out the truth we got back together.
Kay: Oh. I guess that is a possiblilty too. (Turning a little red.) I'm sorry mom. I was just so surprised by everything.
Karen: It's okay Kaylee I understand.
Nathan: (Yelling.) LET'S GO KAYLEE! (Kaylee rolls her eyes.)
Karen: I told you.
(Karen and Kaylee made there way to the kitchen where they found the rest of the family. It was completely silent except for the TV that was on. Karen gave her daughter a worried look as they could feel the tension in the room.)
Nathan: (Looking at his little sister who was grabbing a fruit bar out of the cupboard.) If I get a detention because I was late you are dead.
Kaylee: God Nathan we have 25 minutes. I guess you'll have to skip your morning make out session with one of your hos. Let's see it's Tuesday, is that Katie? No it's Erin.
N: (Getting up and grabbing his bag.) Walk Kaylee. Better yet why don't you call Peyton.
Kaylee: I will. Hey Nate does Brooke have a make out day or was that just a one night thing?
Karen: KAYLEE JANE SCOTT! (Nathan headed for the door.) Nate hold on. (He did not turn around and his hand remained on the door knob.)
N: What?
Karen: We need a few minutes.
N: I really just want to go.
Karen: I will call the school and let them know that you have an excuse for being late. Will you please sit? Kaylee, Chris, you guys too. (She waited for all of them to find chairs.) This will be quick. Me and your dad are leaving for Nebraska this morning. We have no idea how long this will take but Keith will be here until we get back. Same rules apply as if we were here.
Da: No trouble and God give the fighting a rest.
N: So can we go?
(Karen and Dan both looked at each other to see if they had anythig else to say.)
D: I guess so.
(They all got up and headed for the door.)
Karen: Hey, I am leaving the state on a plane. I need hugs. Nathan stopped first and hugged her and gave her a kiss on the cheek as Karen grabbed her still very angry 14 year-old son as he tried to sneak by.) I don't think so. I want hugs from EVERYONE. (He let her hug him and he was out the door right behind Nathan. Kaylee gave her a hug and then headed to her Dad and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.)
Kaylee: Bye Dad.
Da: Bye Kaylee. (She left.) At least one of my kids are talking to me. I must be a good guy in her eyes again?
Karen: She will always be your little girl.
Da: (He put the paper down and shut the TV off.) We better get going.
Ka: (Taking in a deep breath.) Telling these three kids was suppose to be the easy part.
Da: The worst is yet to come.
(Matt was sitting across the table from his older brother. He took a bite of his cheerios, dripping milk off the spoon all the way to his mouth. Luke smiled a little and then realized how puffy the five year-old's eyes were. They both must be a sight to see. Luke still heard Matt crying at 3:30. He had finally calmed down a little by then and Luke drifted off. But three hours of sleep was not nearly enough for either one of them.)
L: (Holding up the cartons of milk and juice.) Which one? (Matt did not even look at Lucas.) Okay juice it is. (He opened it and put it in front of the little boy.) What do you want to watch on TV today? (Matt still said nothing.) Come on Matty please talk to me. (The little dark-haired boy took a drink of the juice but still said nothing.) Matt are you going to stop talking to me forever?
M: Maybe.
L: Why?
M: You let them take me.
L: I am sorry buddy. What was I suppose to do? Those were the rules. (Matt did not say anything again so Luke just started in on his own soggy cereal. He needed to give Matt a little time. For a little kid he sure knew how to hold a grudge. Matt and Luke both looked up when the counselor approached the table with a little blond boy about seven.)
Michael: Hey guys.
Matt: Hi.
L: Hey.
Michael: Hey Matt this is Kyle. He was so excited to find out there was someone his age here to play with. He does not go to school today either so he was hoping that maybe you could play with him. (He looked the new kid up and down trying to work through his conflicted feelings. On the one hand he did not want to leave his brother even though he was still mad at him but on the other hand he missed playing with his friends at school.) Matt all the other kids will be heading to school so the TV is all yours. Why don't you and Kyle head over there I need to talk to Lucas. (Matt took another drink and then left with the older boy. Luke watched him leave a little hurt that he didn't even say good bye. He was really mad at him. Michael must have seen the look on Luke's face.) He will be okay. Kyle is a good kid.
L: He is mad at me because of last night.
Michael: (Sitting down in Matt's now vacant spot.) You want to tell me about last night?
L: (Automatically getting defensive because he knew that he was in trouble for fighting.) Which part? The part where Jason ripped Matt from around my neck or the part where my brother cried up until a few hours ago?
Michael: I was thinking more about the part where the counselors had to pull you off Brad.
L: Of course they only told you about that.
M: They told me everything Lucas. They did their jobs. I know that it wasn't easy but each night will get a little better for him. (Luke was not looking at him.) It will get easier for you too.
L: Easy for you to say.
M: It's not easy for me to see any of the kids that are staying here suffer but the rules are for the safety and well being of everyone. One of those rules is a zero tolerance for violence. (Luke did not know what that meant. Besides Matt crying he was also kept awake thinking about what was going to happen to him. Would they kick him out for the fight?) So do you want to tell me your side? (Nothing.) I guess I will just go by what Brad told me then.
L: (Looking at Michael finally.) He's a jerk. He told Matt to shut up and shot his mouth off to me.
M: So you hit him?
L: I didn't hit him. I just pushed him a little.
M: Well that makes it much better then.
L: I shouldn't have touched him.
M: You are right you shouldn't have.
L: (Stirring his barely touched breakfast with his spoon.) So now what? You kicking us out?
M: Is that why you did it?
L: I did it because he was an ass.
M: Luke I'm not stupid. Brad has been with us a long time and I know he is never easy on the new kids. He feels you are invading his space and since he has been here the longest he thinks sometimes he is in charge. I will be dealing with him but right now I am talking to you. You could be here a while and I just have a word of advice. Try to keep peace with the other kids.
L: I didn't start it.
M: I didn't say that you did. But you definitely participated in it. The fighting only caused more problems for you. The counselors do not look kindly on it, the other kids will be on the defensive a lot more then they already are when someone new comes in and now you have to deal with me. (Michael got his attention and Luke looked at him.) I can't just let this fight go Lucas.
L: So what does that mean?
M: You are confined to your room for 2 days. You can leave to use the bathroom and for meals. That's it.
L: And Brad?
M: He will not get away with anything. (Luke went back to stirring his cereal and the look on his face went from anger to frustration to concern.)
L: But what about my brother for 2 days?
M: Luke if you haven't guessed it we have not had a whole lot of experince with siblings here so we will have to deal with issues as they come up.
L: Okay?
M: I mean that I will talk to Matt and let him know what is going on and where you will be at. I think that he will be okay playing with Kyle today but if not I'm going to make the exception that he can go visit you in your room while the other kids are at classes. But once the older kids are back he can't be in your room and you have to stay there. We will keep him entertained and safe Lucas. You have to try to trust us. Sound fair?
L: Do I really have a choice?
M: Not this time but hopefully the next time that a problem arises you'll think of a different way to solve it besides fighting. I am going to go check on your brother. Why don't you finish eating and head to your room. (Luke did not respond and Michael got up and left.)
(Nathan walked to the tutoring center door and noticed a girl sitting at a table intently writing in a notebook unaware of him standing there. Nathan wondered how he could go to Tree Hill High for three years and still not have talked to everyone in his class. It was not that big of a school he had seen Haley James around and knew who she was but had never even uttered a "hello" to her. He guessed the reason was that they ran with different crowds of friends and if it was not for his bad grades the two teens probably would have graduated without having a conversation. Nathan cleared his throat and the girl looked at the door.)
H: (Looking back down at the notebook.) Why are you late?
N: (He was a little thrown off by how matter of fact she had been. He was not sure how to respond.) I had to stop and talk to my coach.
H: So that answers my next question then.
N: What question?
H: Why you are here. Obviously it is Whitey making you come.
N: Why do you say that?
H: Because there are two kinds of guys that come in here for help. One is the athelete that is being forced to come here for help by their coach so that they keep their playing elegibility and the other are the non-jocks that are being threatened by their parents for their poor grades. You are an athelete so...
N: ...Well you are wrong. I had to tell my coach that I could not lift because I was doing this instead. If he was the one that was making me do this I think he would have known about it already.
H: So you are telling me that you are here on your own?
N: (He considered lying to her at this point because he was a little annoyed at her confidence that she thought she had his "type" all figured out but then figured that all she had to do was talk to his counselor to find out the real reason. He paused a little and then spoke.) My mom set it up.
H: That's good. At least I would rather deal with your mom putting pressure on you then your coach putting pressure on me. Coaches tend to balme the tutor when their players' grades don't come up. Sit down. (Nathan stood there starring for a second. He was use to girls falling at his feet. He had actually seen one girl slap another girl because of him. Here he was standing in front of a girl that was pushing him around without so much as a "please". Haley looked at him with a look similar to what his mom gave him to get him to listen to her. He sat down a little surprised at his obedience. She pushed a piece of paper in front of him that he had just seen the day before. His report card.) We have a lot of work to do Nathan. I see by the teachers' comments that your grades are not because of you not doing the work. So...
N: ...So you are saying that I am stupid?
H: I never said that. It just tells me what we need to focus on. So I need you to come with your History and Algebra books and meet me here at 7:00 tomorrow.
N: AM?
H: Yeah. Is there a problem?
N: Besides that I am not even out of bed yet at that time?
H: Listen. I know that you are "THE" Nathan Scott and that is why I had to bump someone else to get you in but if you are not willing to work with me on this then you can find someone else. I'm sure there is a cheerleader willing to give you a private tutoring session. (Haley was picking up her books.)
N: What is your problem?
H: My problem is that you came to me for help. First you were late and now all you are doing is complaining about missing out on your precious sleep. You are this great basketball player and I would not even consider coming on the court and telling you how to do things and I guess I expect the same courtesy from you on my turf.
N: Listen I am sorry for being late. Yes my mom is forcing me to be here and since I don't want to spend the quarter grounded and with her on my butt I will be here at 7:00 tomorrow. I do want to say one thing though, I think that you are being bitchy to me because you have not heard good things about me. Obviously I am not the only one that is being FORCED to be here, so maybe you should to at least get to know me before decide to hate me. (He turned and walked out leaving a stunned Haley.)
(Karen and Dan walked into the office and approached the desk with the small woman sitting behind it.)
Secretary: Good Afternoon. Can I help you?
Dan: I'm Dan Scott and this is my wife Karen, we are here to see Mr Adams.
S: (Smiling.) Of course. They are waiting for you. Go on in.
(Karen followed her husband into the large office and found a salt and peppered haired man on the phone and a young brunette lady sitting on a couch. She got up and approached them and held out her hand.)
Social Worker: You must be Mr. and Mrs. Scott. I'm Stacey, the social worker assigned to Lucas and Matt's case. It's nice to meet you.
Karen: (Smiling and shaking her hand.) Where are the boys? How are they doing?
Dan: (Putting his hand on his wife's shoulder to calm her and then extending it to the woman.) Nice to meet you. You have to excuse us we are a little anxious about everything.
Stacey: That's perfectly understandable. I was just talking to George before you came in. He has all the papers your lawyer sent and he's on the phone with the family court finding out about the emergency hearing.
Dan: Great. When I talked to him earlier he thought there was a possibility that we could get a hearing today.
Social Worker: That is the plan. (Pointing to the leather chairs.) Have a seat please. (She waited until they had removed their jackets and were comfortable and at the same time the lawyer had gotten off the phone and introduced himself.)
George (lawyer): Hello Mr. Scott, finally I get the chance to talk to you in person, (Sitting down and looking at his watch.) Okay it is almost one and we will meet with the judge at 4:30 today. I am going to get all the paperwork faxed over to the courthouse and the judge will most likely rule today and if not tomorrow morning.
Dan: So how do you think that it is going to go?
Lawyer: Stacey, I am going to let you fill them in a little here.
Social Worker: Mr. and Mrs. Scott I am sure you understand how unusual the situation is here. It happens more then I care to think about that there are children left without parents to care for them but to have a set of parents come forward and want to adopt not only one child but two is rare. Even more rare if that set of parents are the boy's biological parents.
Karen: So will it be held against us since we gave Luke up to begin with?
Social Worker: I don't think that will be an issue in this case. You are not trying to take him away from his adoptive parents because you changed your mind. There are extenuating circumstances here. We have your financial records and all of your testimonials from family members and friends. That will all work in your favor. Granted there will be a lot more that needs to be done yet but most likely you will be issued temporary custody of your son and the case will be transferred to your home state. From there you will be looking at some home visits, court hearings and several interviews. If no problems are found it won't be long before you will be able to adopt Lucas.
Dan: And Matt?
Social Worker: Now that's a little different situation since you are not his biological parents. What I can tell you is that as of right now we have found no blood relatives that are able to take him. I am sure that the judge will want to do everything that he can to keep Matt with Lucas since he is the only family that he knows and has left. Since you want to take him too things should proceed just like with Lucas.
Karen: So now what?
Social Worker: Well from what I have gathered so far I don't think that Lucas is aware that he is adopted.
Karen: They never told him?
Social Worker: I am not completely sure but from the short conversations that I have had with him and his grandmother, I don't think that they did. So that brings me to my next question. Do you want me to tell him?
D: (Looking at his wife and then back at the social worker. He was totally not expecting this. He had prepared himself as much as he could have for this situation. He was ready to deal with kids that had lost the only parents they knew and to deal with a son that would come face to face with his real parents for the first time but to have to tell a child that his entire life had been a lie, how do you do that?) But how...
Karen: (Interrupting.) I want to tell him. (Looking at Dan.) We need to be the ones to tell him Dan. He is our son. (Looking back at the social worker.) We will do it.
Dan: (Shaking his head in agreement.) So do we do this after we get him home? Give him time to adjust?
Stacey: Actually Mr. Scott you have to do it before the court hearing. Given Lucas' age I am going to assume that the judge will want to talk to him and get some feeling for what he wants.
Karen: (Panicking.) What if he hates us and says that he does not want to go with us?
Social Worker: I am not going to lie to you Mrs. Scott. These boys have been through a lot in the last few days and the information that you have to tell Lucas is only going to add to everything. He may be angry. He could be happy. He may even completely shut down. They have lost everything that they know. But in the end Lucas' options are few and the judge will consider everything and do what is best for him and his brother. (Karen and Dan did not say anything for a few minutes taking in the reality of the situation and how fast things were taking place.) So if you don't have any more questions I think that we should head over to the shelter and you can get your first close up look at your son.)
(Luke was sitting on his bed propped up against the wall listening to his little brother in the TV room across the hall. One good thing about Matt was that he made friends easily. Michael had told Matt that Lucas had to be in his room for two days and all he had to say was, "Okay, can I go watch TV now?" Luke was a little hurt but knew that it made it easier for the 5 year-old because he had a friend there to play with and he also knew that he could go visit Luke anytime he wanted to. Luke knew that it would get harder for him once the older kids got back from school and he realized that he wasn't able to go in and out of Luke's room as freely as he could have all day. Lucas was dreading bedtime but hoped that if Matty and his new little friend got a long really well they could be roommates and that would make it easier for the little boy. Luke heard Matt laugh and felt a little sad thinking that maybe he was more dependent on the child then the other way around. Luke figured that the least that Matt could do was come in and play cards or keep him company. The teenager had thought he needed a break and some quiet time from the Matt but now after an hour of being forced to stay in his room he was beginning to go nuts. It actually reminded him of being at home and that was something that he was trying to keep out of his mind as much as possible. Since he had nothing to do at that moment he could not help letting his mind drift. Everyday since Matt was old enough to walk Luke would try to take him and keep him away from the house as much as possible and when it became dark or too cold he would quietly sneak past his parents and barracade themselves in his room until they were able to get out again. At that moment he was surprised that he missed his house but God knew it was better then where he was right now. At least there he had his books and stereo. At the shelter he had ...a bed. Well he did have some school books but he had not gotten desperate or bored enough to pull those out yet. The only comfort he had was knowing that Brad was going to be stuck in his room double the time since this was not his first offense. Luke heard foot steps coming through the door and he smiled expecting Matt. Instead a kid about Luke's size walked in, dropped a bag on the floor and plopped down on the other bed. Lucas starred at him for a second before the other kid said something.)
Other Kid: Don't look so disappointed to see me. You did not think that you would have your own room forever did you? (Luke did not have time to respond before the other kid started to talk again.) I'm Alex, you're Lucas right? (Lucas just shook his head and must have had a look of confusion on his face because he just kept talking.) Michael told me so don't worry I am not a stalker or anything. I heard that you got Brad good. Sweet. (Again Luke just starred.) Mike told me that too.
L: Is there anything that he didn't tell you? (Luke said this with a little annoyance in his voice not liking the fact that people were obviously talking about him.)
Alex: Don't get mad at him he is one of the good ones.
L: What do you mean "good ones"?
Alex: He actually cares unlike most of the counselors and social workers that you are going to meet. I just got back today.
L: Where were you?
A: A foster home.
L: Oh. Why did you come back here?
A: I always come back here while I wait for them to find me a new home.
L: Always? How many homes have you been in?
A: I lost count. A lot!
L: Why so many?
A: This last time was because the foster mother was pocketing all the money that they gave her and sort of forgot to feed me. There are too many reasons to even name. Maybe this time will be my lucky time and they will give up trying to place me in a foster home and just let me stay here.
L: You like it here?
A: Yeah. It has sort of become my home. Michael taught me how to ride a bike here.
L: You have been in shelters and foster care for that long?
A: This is a great place Lucas. Believe me when I tell you that you could be much worse off. I have been to treatment centers, detention centers, foster homes and other group homes and this is like a palace.
L: (Sarcasstic.) Yeah this is great. (Even though Lucas was trying to keep his emotions in check the more this kid talked that more scared he got. Lucas hated this place more then anything and could not wait to get out. He never considered that the next place might be even worse.)
A: (Giving him a knowing smile.) You are new. You will learn what I am talking about. This place has a lot of angry kids but you have to understand where they are coming from too. They are irritated because they would rather be in a nice home too just like you and it takes some getting use to having to live with all these strangers and rules. But at least here they try to do their best to keep you safe. They don't treat you like a criminal or like you are crazy. They feed you and you have your own bed. (He took off his coat.) Hey you want to go play ping pong? I'm pretty good.
L: I can't leave the room.
A: You serious? Michael let you have it huh? That sucks. Don't worry Brad will lay off you now that I am back. He hates me because everyone else loves me and they ignore him when I am here.
(Luke and Alex both looked towards the door as they heard fast footsteps and saw two blurs run past the room. Then they saw Michael jogging past.)
Michael: Ryan and Matt stop running please.
Alex: Those two kids are running that poor guy ragged.
L: The little one is my brother.
A: Really? I have a brother.
L: How old?
A: Umm...He's ten now.
L: Is he here too?
A: Nah. It has been a few years since I have seen him.
L: (Looking shocked.) A few YEARS!?
A: Yeah. When we had gotten into the system he had just turned two. He was placed in foster care right away because of his age and he got adopted within the first year. Michael found him for me two christmases ago and arranged a meeting.
L: But why didn't they keep you together?
A: (Shrugging.) They say that they try but the fact is that most foster homes that take little kids don't like to take the older kids and the same goes for families that are looking to adopt.
L: How do you do it? Not seeing your brother I mean.
A: It was really hard at first but it helped knowing that he was getting adopted. At least I knew he was safe and when I talked to him he was really happy.
(Lucas just starred ahead. He had thought of the possibility of being seperated from Matt but figured that it would only be because he did not cooperate. He never considered that his little brother might get adopted. He could not even imagine what it would be like not seeing him for 2 years. Luke knew that it would be horrible but just like Alex he would let him go if it meant getting him out of a place like that. He thought that he was going to start crying until his thoughts got interrupted by a knock at the door. Both teens turned to find Michael.)
A: Hey Mike.
M: (Looking between the two boys.) You two getting along?
A: Of course. But he says that you will not let him leave the room because he pushed Brad. Come on Mikey you know deep down you are happy that someone put Brad in his place. He's a pain in the ...
M: (Interrupting) Alex there is Snickers bar sitting in my top desk drawer. It's yours if you can keep an eye on the two kids in the game room for a few minutes.
A: (Looking at Luke.) He must really need to talk to you about something important if he is giving up his food to get rid of me. (Alex patted the older man's protruding stomach as he passed him on the way out the door.)
M: (Laughing and shaking his head as he sat down on the bed across from Luke.) That is the thanks I get for being nice. (Luke would have normally thought that was really funny but he still had his mind on Matt being taken from him. Michael noticed the distracted look on Luke's face and wondered what Alex might have said. Michael had put Alex in the same room with Luke for a few reasons. One was that he did feel bad for punishing Luke because he knew that Brad was probably deserving of everything that he got from Luke and another reason was that Alex has been in the system for a long time and had done well considering everything. He reminded Michael a lot of Lucas and if Alex could talk to Lucas a little maybe it would help him out a little in the long run. But as nice as Alex was he had a tendency to be very blunt and honest and something he might have said to Lucas might have done more harm then good.) Hey Luke? I got a call from Stacey just before. (This immediately got Luke's attention and he looked up. He had been waiting to hear from the social worker. Michael went on.) They found some relatives of yours that are interested in taking you in.
L: Relatives? Who? My grandmother is the only relative that I know of and she is in the nursing home.
M: (Michael knew the situation and was praying that everything worked out.) Well I am not sure but you will meet them shortly because they are coming here today sometime. (Luke was racking his brain trying to think of any distant relative that he knew of that might want them to come and stay with them. His grandmother really was the only relative that he knew of and they did not even know her well. They would go visit her in the nursing home with their mom on her birthday and Christmas. Who ever it was Luke would go with them if it meant getting out of there and staying with his little brother. It would only be a few years before he graduted from high school and he found a job and then he could abopt Matt himself. As far as Luke was concerned nothing could be any worse then the hell that they had lived so far. When Michael realized that Lucas was not going to respond he went on.) There is a playground out back. After the older kids get out of school I am going to send Matt and Ryan out there. It's not much but I think they will enjoy getting out for a while.
L: Matty is only 5. He can't go alone.
M: (Smiling.) I know and since I'm going to be busy I figured as part of your punishment you could be in charge of them.
L: (Giving him a small smile.) They are driving you crazy aren't they?
M: A little. (Michael saw the look of relief on Luke's face. He was not sure if it was because he was going to get out of his room for a little while or if it was because he would be around Matt. If he had to guess he would say that it was a combination of both.) And just so there is not misunderstanding about the fact that you are still in trouble for fighting you can clean up the yard while you are out there. (Luke groaned a little. Michael got up and headed out the door but stopped and turned around.) I will bring you some books and magazines to pass the time.
L: (Giving him a bigger smile.) Thanks. (Michael left Luke wondering about who the relatives were that would be coming.)