Jude officially had a new favorite person his life.

And, he was going to call her Grandma.

At seven, Jude knew enough about the world to when people were truly good and wanted him around.

And Grandma definitely wanted him around.

"Jude, doll, pass me the cucumber sandwiches will you," Sharon asked, taking a sip of tea, her pinkie out.

The two were sitting in the living room on the floor at the low coffee table, a complete tea party set before them — cucumber sandwiches, sweet tea, cookies, and tiny little cakes. Sharon had a purple feather boa wrapped around her neck and a wide brimmed hat on top of her red hair, while Jude had a bright blue feather boa and a similar hat on his head.

"Of course, madam," Jude said with a giggle, picking up the small plate of cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches, with the crusts cut off per Jude's request. Sharon had told him this was how you had a proper tea party. They'd been at it for more than half an hour by this point and Sharon was surprised the little boy had not yet grown tired of playing. Stef had told her he was equally as eccentric as she was, though Sharon swore she had no idea what her daughter was talking about.

"Would you like a small pickle roll, sir," Sharon asked Jude, seeing how much he loved the ham, cream cheese, and dill pickle roll.

"Why yes, madam, I would be delighted to eat another one of your fancy rolls," Jude said, gently taking three pieces and putting them on his plate.

"So, Jude, tell me how are you enjoying living with Stef and Lena?"

Jude looked at her, his head tilted to the side. Adults usually didn't ask him questions like that. Usually they didn't care what he thought about where he was living.

"Why?"

Sharon looked at the seven year old — Jude looked to be only five, perhaps even younger. He was underweight, but from what Sharon could tell, not nearly as much as Callie. But Jude was less guarded. He trusted more easily. She could not even get Callie to say one word to her when she'd first met her, and even now Callie rarely ever talked to Sharon unless questions were directed at her.

"I am just curious, Doll. Remember, Stef is my baby. I am just curious what it is like living with her now that she is a mom. It's been a long time since my little girl has lived under the same roof as I have."

"So, you just want to know what she's like now?" Jude asked quietly, picking at the ham wrapped around a pickle.

"Sure, Doll. Or we can talk about anything. Do you like school?"

"Did you know that Callie isn't my boss anymore? And Jesus and Mariana aren't either, but they never were. Unless they are watching me like a babysitter would. Why is Callie not in charge of me anymore, Grandma? Lena and Stef didn't really explain it to me. And I'm glad I don't always have to do what Callie says because sometimes I don't understand. But Callie seems really sad all the time. I don't want her to be sad. She's all I have. She always promised my mommy that she would take care of me. Now that mommy is dead, she has to take care of me."

Sharon stared at the seven year old boy. Out of the mouthes of babes.

"Why do you think Callie is sad, Doll?"

"Well, she's afraid Stef and Lena won't keep us both. But she told me she'd go back to jail before she'd see them throw me out because they are safe people I guess. Callie used to get thrown against the wall and into the shower by Jim, but Jim wasn't so bad to me except once when I tried on a dress. He didn't like that. Callie said she has to make sure I am safe and it doesn't matter what happens to her. That's why she let Liam touch her in her bedroom, cause he said he would hurt me. Callie doesn't know I know. I heard them though, even though I don't really understand exactly what happened. Callie cried a lot after that though, and she said she was okay though. We got moved from that house not much longer after," Jude said, taking a bite of a cucumber sandwich.

Sharon's "gut feelings" started to go into overdrive at that moment. She knew better than to question the seven year old much, but she had a feeling she needed to talk to Stef and Lena.


Callie was close behind Stef and Lena as they walked to up to Sharon's house. She was ready for this day to be over in more ways than one. She was pretty sure she was in trouble, but she was also pretty sure Frankie was in trouble, too.

But, that didn't necessarily mean Frankie was. Frankie was their real kid. And it was common knowledge that real kids trumped foster kids every time, no matter what had happened.

Callie had been so deep in thought she'd nearly run into Lena from behind, only narrowly avoided doing so because Stef caught her.

"Careful, Love," Stef said as she opened the door to her mother's house.

"It's rude not to knock," Callie mumbled.

Stef looked at a her, shocked and then laughed as she walked through the door.

"I grew up in this house, Cals. I have never knocked on the door. I don't think I am going to start now. Come on, let's go see what Jude is up too."

Callie nodded her head and then walked behind the two women.

Stef and Lena stopped midway to the living room, and both were stifling giggles.

"Hey, dolls, care for a cuppa," Sharon asked, raising her tea cup up for them to see.

Callie stared at the scene in front of her. Jude was wearing a blue feather boar and a hat and his nails were painted blue and hot pink. Her eyes grew wide.

"Jude, what have you done," Callie whispered.

Jude looked at her, then to Stef and Lena, and then at Sharon.

"Grandma said I could. We have been having a tea party," Jude said excitedly.

A month before, Jude would have not been so oblivious to Callie's displeasure.

Lena leaned over as Stef went into the living room, "Remember he is safe. He is allowed to play how he wishes. He is not doing anything wrong."

"But, Lena!"

"No, ma'am."

"Fine," Callie said, tears threatening to fall.

Why did these women make her feel so vulnerable? So unable to care for Jude? Why did they make her feel like she wanted them to want her? It wasn't fair. She didn't want to be wanted.

But would it be so bad to be wanted?

Callie was no longer sure.