Chapter 5
By: MysticFantasy
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"What do you mean there's a family thinking about adopting him?" Bobby asked.
"Bobby, Jack is still a foster child and that means he's still up for adoption. If a family wants to they can legally adopt him...and take him away." Evelyn explained with a bit of a sad expression.
"But can we let them? I mean, Jack's getting use to us and he's finally opening up a little."
"Bobby, there's nothing I can do. Unless I officially make Jack my son then anyone can take him."
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Jack slowly walked from the railing and into his room. He'd heard everything that Evelyn and Bobby said.
How could a family already be considering adopting him after they'd surely been informed of his history in other homes?
He'd been in the system long enough to know that every family that he was going to be with had to know about the previous homes he'd been in. Because of that he'd been turned down from a few homes which was fine with him.
Now after having heard Bobby and Evelyn talk he realized that Bobby was right.
He was getting use to them and becoming a little more open.
What would happen if another family did try to take him away? Would he go through all the torment and misery as all of the other houses?
He didn't want that to happen but what could he do?
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"Bobby, I want to adopt him. I really do." Evelyn admitted. "He'd make a perfect baby brother and I can see him as a Mercer."
"So adopt him." Bobby urged. "I see him as a Mercer too."
"Bobby, do you have any idea how long it takes for adoptions to be finalized? It took nearly five months for yours to go through. Everyone thought that you would surely have gotten to me and that's why it took so long."
"Me?" Bobby asked with fake offensiveness.
Evelyn lightly smiled before turning serious again. "I'll be honest with you Bobby but don't tell the others. I already started paper work to adopt Jack. But with this new family wanting to take him it's going to be put on hold until they see how he interacts with them."
"How long does he have left with us?" Bobby asked.
"At least a month. This family is getting a serious background check to make sure that Jack doesn't end up in another neglectful house."
"Think if we get him to open up more the service will let you keep him?" Bobby asked.
"Maybe. According to the service, this is the most open Jack has been since he's been in the system."
"Then me and the guys will get him to be more open. Get him out of his shell. Then they have to let him stay. Everyone knows that you're the miracle worker with kids like us. If you can get me under control, than anyone else should be a snap."
"I admit, you were a handful." Evelyn said with a smile of remembrance.
"Exactly. You broke me. So Jack shouldn't be that hard to help."
"But Jack is a totally different story Bobby." Evelyn reminded. "You didn't go through the kind of abuse and neglect that he went through. The problems he has can't be fixed as easily and he has to overcome them on his own. Some of his problems can be helped by us but not all of them."
"Then we'll take this time to help him. Maybe it'll be enough to make the service see that he's fine right here with us."
"You can try Bobby. In the meantime, I'll do what I can to make sure that I can adopt Jack before this new family is approved to take him." Evelyn said.
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"I know you were listening to what we were talking about."
Jack flung himself against the wall when he heard someone talking to him.
"Calm down Jack. You know that I'm not going to hurt you. You don't have to be scared of me." Bobby said.
"Sorry." Jack muttered.
"Anyway, I know you heard mom said that another family was looking to take you away. Do you want to leave?"
Jack looked at Bobby and shook his head. "No." he answered.
"I admit, I don't want you to leave either. You look like you'd make a good Mercer. Mom wants to adopt you. She really does. But we gotta see you more open with us. The service has to see that too Jack. Think you can do it before this other family is given the ok to take you?"
"I don't know." Jack muttered.
"How about this then? You can hang out with me, Jerry and Angel as much as possible between now and the month is over. We'll help you come out of your shell and let the service see for themselves that staying here is the perfect place for you. How about that?"
"Does...does that mean that Ms. Evelyn would be my mom?" Jack asked.
"Sure would." Bobby answered with a smile. "It would also mean that we'd be brother's. Just like I said the night you first came here. Remember?"
Jack nodded.
"So how about it Jack? Want to give it a try?" Bobby asked.
Jack nodded.
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"Here we are." Bobby announced as the car came to stop.
Jack looked outside the window and saw a large ice rink. It was empty but it was clear that it was used often.
"Come on Jackie. Time to have some fun." Bobby declared as he and Angel climbed out of the car and allowed the other two out.
Jack climbed out and watched as Jerry shut the car doors as Bobby and Angel each grabbed a duffle bag from the trunk. He then followed the three toward the ice rink.
"Alright Jack, time to try on your first pair of ice skates." Bobby announced with a smile as he pulled out a pair of brand new black ice skates from his bag.
Jack was in awe when he saw the skates that looked to be his size but he quickly masked his amazement before the others noticed and decided to change their minds about letting him wear the skates.
"Come on Jack. Sit down and I'll show you how to tie them." Bobby said clearing the bench and motioned for Jack to sit.
Still trying to not get his hopes up, Jack sat down on the cold bench.
"Gotta take your shoes off Jack. Can't skate with two pairs of shoes on." Angel said standing on one foot as he removed his sneaker and quickly placed on his skate.
Nervously, Jack untied his shoes and once they were off Bobby placed them in the duffle bag.
"Alright Jack, these slip on like normal shoes but they might be a little tighter. It just takes time to get use to them." Bobby instructed placing the skates on Jack's feet and showing him how to tie them.
Jack easily felt the weight of the skates on his feet and wasn't sure how he would be able to move around in them. He spotted Angel and Jerry walk over to the ice and easily step into the rink.
Bobby quickly put his skates on and helped Jack to stand. The ten year old wobbled a bit but quickly figured out how to stand correctly.
"You're a natural Jackie." Bobby amused and took Jack's good hand. "Come on. Let's get on the ice."
Jack walked a bit shakily with Bobby to the ice. His feet felt they weighed fifty pounds because of the skates.
"Alright, now this is going to be the tough part." Bobby admitted standing on the ice with Jack still on the ground. "Getting your balance on the ice isn't easy at first but we'll take it slow. Ok?"
Jack nodded and was helped onto the ice. He instantly felt his legs shake under his weight but remembered how he first found balance. It was a bit trickier on the ice but he found himself no longer wobbling.
"I was right. You're a natural." Bobby declared. "You're already doing better than Jerry and Angel did."
"That's good for him then." Jerry declared gliding by. "He won't go home with any bumps."
Jack's eyes went wide and he started to visibly shake.
Bobby slapped Jerry upside the head. "Watch what you say in front of him moron." he scolded quietly.
"Sorry."
"Jack. Jack, look at me." Bobby said kneeling in front of Jack and placing his hands on his shoulder's.
Jack shakily looked at Bobby.
"Ignore him Jack. He didn't mean what he said. Ok?"
Jack didn't answer.
"Hey, I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I promise."
Jack nodded once and seemed to calm down.
"Don't be scared. I'll hold onto you the whole time. Ok?"
Bobby got an answer as he felt Jack's hand clutch onto his own tightly.
"This promise isn't just on the ice Jack. As long as you're with us, nothing bad will happen to you." Bobby declared.