Don't laugh at me
Chapter three
"This is such bullshit!" Alice complained as we sat on a bench a few yards away from Anthony's moms grave.
"I'm aware." I sigh, we had sat here for the last half hour while Anthony yelled at his mom's grave and paced back and forth. He was so upset on the car ride over. I was glad he was letting it out instead of trying to be tough. All the way here he would start to say something and then shake his head and stop. I know his mom told him he didn't have any family other than her so I could see where the new development would be upsetting.
"His case sat uncontested for so long, I honestly just assumed you'd go in there today and they would give ya the go ahead for the adoption. Obviously Anthony isn't pleased by this information."
"I think he just wanted this all to be over just like the rest of us. It's a little odd that after so long they would come forward. His mom told him he didn't have any family. It kind of makes me wonder what kind of people they could be if she kept them secret all this time."
"So when do they fly in?"
"They are already here actually. They weren't at the meeting for obvious reasons but they gave their D.N.A. sample yesterday. I can't believe Emmet didn't tell me. I know he isn't allowed to disclose certain information but I just thought he would do it as a favor."
"Don't be mad at him honey. He was just doing her job. So there's grandparents, is there a dad?"
"They didn't say, they never actually said it was grandparents but after I pitched a fit with Emmet he finally told me. He kept telling me this was a good thing and that I would see when I me them that they were great people and it was all a misunderstanding. I'm so mad at him right now I really don't get why he is being like this. He loves Anthony."
"Bullshit! This is such bullshit! I can't lose my nephew. Where do they live?"
"Alice you know I don't know that. As soon as the D.N.A. is proven a match then we will get more information. We will get the call on Monday. I don't know how I'm going to make it through this week though."
"Well, you know I'm here for you. We should go bowling this weekend just in case it's the last chance I have to beat Anthony." She says with a teasing smile but when I look at her I see the tears she is holding back.
"I will see if he wants to. "
"I do" he says as he walks up to us. His hands are in his pockets and he is a bit hunched like it's all just too much for him. I want so bad to tell him it will all be alright but I know I can't give him false promises, not now.
"You sure Hun? We don't have to. We can just hang out at the house this weekend." Alice says knowing he needs his 'outs'.
He smiles and I think he knows what she is doing. They are so in tune to each other. It's going to break her heart if he leaves just as much as it will mine. I've been trying to figure out what I'm going to say to the kids. They have all formed their own bonds with him, jewels especially will be sad to see him go. They are two peas in a pod. She was the one who really helped him through his mother's death when he first came to us. We all hop in my suv and head to Benjamin's grave site. I'm stuck in my head trying to wrap it around what was said at the meeting this morning. Anthony met with his guardian ad litem for a little bit where I am assuming she asked how things were going at my house and what he would like to happen today. I was talking with Emmet while waiting for them to finish up. I am still mad that my own brother wouldn't tell me this information. I know he has to be torn up about it to because being Anthony's case worker he did meet him first. Whatever though he should have told me.
When Anthony and Angela, his guardian ad litem, entered the meeting room where I and Em had moved once the lawyers arrived I felt the air shift somehow and knew this was going to suck. We all sat down and Emmet pulled out a folder and slid it to me. It had the letter they had received from a private investigator. The letter stated that he was working for a Mr. mason Cullen. He was sure that the child named Anthony Carlisle Denali was the child his client was searching for. I flipped through other various documents, just legal bull shit, and then looked up to Emmet. The lawyers started speaking to Anthony then and I just stared at him as he took all they were saying in. there was family, they wanted him, they were looking for him, and he was going to be taken from me. That's all I heard. Anthony looked at me when they were all finished speaking and we just stared at each other knowing what was coming.
Just when we thought all the cards had been laid on the table and we could finally move forward with an adoption and be done with this, something so huge happens. Life is always that way. I would love just a few calm moments. Poor Anthony, I couldn't stop thinking about him. I bet he was terrified. I had already decided to petition for the courts to allow Anthony to stay with me while he acquainted himself with his 'family'. Hopefully they would grant it.
When we got to the cemetery Alice waited in the car with Anthony while I went to talk with my husband. I needed clarity and direction and those were two things ben was always able to give me. Evan after he passed. I was hoping for that now but seemed not to gain any. So I just sat on the grass and cried. When I was finished I went back to the car and Alice went to have her time with ben. We were a sit for sore eyes when we all piled in to go home. I called Paizge on the way and told her we would be late and asked her to tell the others we were going to have a family meeting when we got there.
"You know what?" I look at Anthony in the rear view mirror.
"What?" he looks confused when he answers. So I smile.
"When I and Emmet were kids and things got bad at home we would sneak out and get ice cream at this adorable little shop a few blocks from our house."
"So what you're saying is we are getting ice cream? He asks.
"Nope" I say popping my 'p'. "Even better, we are getting pie!"
"You know you shouldn't eat your problems away belle, it's an unhealthy coping mechanism." At first I think he has a point and then he smirks and I know he is teasing.
"You are far too smart for your own good ya know that. I guess we better head home then"
"No! I was only kidding, come on belle. I'm depressed and need pie!" he shouts this enthusiastically from the back seat and I don't even have to turn to see his smile.
"Pie it is then" I make the left at the intersection that will bring us to the bliss that is Ms. Sally's apple pie. When we pull in I see it isn't too busy and am glad for that. Nobody needs to witness our pie binge. We park and walk into the quaint little diner with its tacky 50's theme. Once we are seated I speak.
"You know this diner is why I and Emmet moved here."
"Really? That's a weird reason to choose a city. Did you guys get jobs here or something?"
"Yes at first but that's not the only reason the dinner was the deciding factor. Emmet was going to join the military so it was nice to be close to the base and that's why we looked into the town. We were out exploring one day and got hungry and came here for lunch. Sally served us our food. She seemed like just the person to ask about the town so we did and she then sat down and talked with us about the town and some of its history. I fell in love with her immediately and the way she talked about the town just made me love it too, then without asking if we wanted desert she brought out pie for us with a note for each of us and I was sold. A few years later she introduced me to ben."
"What did the notes say?"
"I still don't know what Emmet's said but he says it changed his life. I have to admit mine changed my view of life for sure. After coming from such a broken life back in Minnesota I was jaded and thought the worst of people, the only person I trusted or loved was Emmet. I didn't even care for myself all that much. I was mad that the system that was put there to protect children was so flawed and I believed there was no good to be had in the world. Her note was short but so heartfelt and sweet it just shook my world. At first I didn't understand how she knew what she knew about us but now I look back and can see that it was probably written all over my face. Something I've learned from being a parent is that kids think they can hide everything with a simple smile but when a child is hurting or going through something their smile isn't simple and that makes the good adults look deeper."
He was quiet after that. A few minutes later I hear the door open and the bell ring. I look up to see the most amazing site. There they are, my wonderful kids. Even Emmet and rose are with them. I smile and I can feel it light up my whole face. They all walk towards us and before they reach us I see Emmet's face change in an instant. He now has an uncomfortable look in his eyes. I turn to see what he is looking at and all I see is an older couple and a very handsome man sitting at the table a few rows behind us. I don't recognize any of them so I'm pretty confused when they wave at Emmet and then look to me and Anthony and their faces turn to what I can only describe as shock. Emmet grabs me by the elbow and tries to drag me towards the door but I'm stuck in place when I realize who they must be. That man sitting there has the exact shade of green eyes as the boy sitting across from me. I can't move and I'm pretty sure I've stopped breathing until I hear Emmet yell for rose to grab Anthony. Everything snaps into place and I see that the man with Anthony's eyes has started to approach us.
Authors Note: I have always been a fan of cliffy, I'm not entirely sure I've pulled it off here but that's what I was going for. Again sorry this is taking me so long to post. Just been hella busy, the mother in law is coming to visit and I've been trying like crazy to sterilize my house to her standards. Not that it will be in the end. Lol anyways let me know you're out there! Even one review would make my day and give me the positive attitude I need to get through this visit. Ha-ha I'm not above guilt trips. ;)
