"I guess that's it." Jordi set the bags down on the porch.

"You don't have any books, or games or anything." Adam looked at the four bags and the guitar and found himself feeling a little sad. Weren't kids supposed to be obsessed with action figures and video games and all that other stuff. "You don't want to keep the TV."

"No. It's cool. I don't really watch a lot of TV."

"You got your laptop, the charger and everything?"

"It's in my book bag."

"We can go through everything before its donated. Alma likely had some photos and such you would want to keep." Miguel smiled. "It can wait for another day. Let's get you back to the house and settled in."

Adam and Miguel carried the bags to the car. Jordi followed behind them with his backpack and his guitar.

Adam sighed. "I do need to be getting back. If you're good."

"yeah. I'm good." Jordi nodded. "Really."

Adam found himself barely paying attention to Miguel and Jordi's banter as they drove back to the older couple's house.

"Of course Jordi will stay with us while he finishes school." Isabella had declared over desert.

Adam found himself almost saying something. But he didn't dare until Erin called him back. It wouldn't be fair to shove this on her. And a part of him wanted it to be Jordi's choice. Poor kid had that too many people making decisions for him already. .

Adam's cell started ringing as they pulled up to the house.

"Is that Erin?" Jordi grabbed his bags from the back seat. "Tell her I said hi."

"Hey sweetheart." Adam couldn't help grinning as he answered the phone. "Jordi says hi."

"Well hi back at him. I guess you aren't on the road yet."

"No. But I should be shortly. Maybe an hour. Two tops. I suspect Isabella is going to insist on feeding me before I go."

"Sounds good." Adam could here the sounds of the hospital in the background. "So I checked out what you asked and it's good."

"It is."

"Signed and sealed."

"And you're good?"

"Just tell me what you need."

"That's why I love you. I'll call you when I'm leaving okay."

"I love you too."

Adam slipped his phone back in his pocket. He wandered into the house to the smell of chicken cooking. He found Jordi in the small guest room, his bags on the floor, staring out the window. Adam stood in the doorway quietly watching. A part of him didn't want to leave, leave Jordi there. But he was in a good place with good people. He had family, however distant, to look after him. It was okay.

"Adam. Jordi." Isabella's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Come eat."

"I'll be there in a second." Jordi said softly. Adam didn't have to ask why. He could see the faint glint of tears on Jordi's face. Tears he would want to wash off so Isabella didn't worry.

"Isabella, that smells amazing."

"Where is Jordi?"

"Washing my hands." Jordi appeared in the doorway, face clean and smiling.

"I got some Jarritos." Isabella nodded towards the refrigerator. "But don't get used to it. Growing boys should not be drinking soda. This is only because it's a special occasion."

"Si, Tia. You want one, Dr McAndrew?"

"Sure."

"There's orange and lime and tamarind."

"What's tamarind?"

"It's like a date, I think. Comes from India."

"Date soda, sounds interesting."

"I like it. So I guess you can take the orange."

"Probably the safer choice."

"Good, cause I like lime." Ramon half sauntered into the kitchen surprising Adam for a moment. Then he remembered Jordi telling the other kids that it was common for shops and offices to close so families could have their lunch together. Adam had found himself agreeing with Emma that it was a nice custom most places should have.

"How was work?"

"Busy. But I like it that way. Makes the day go faster."

"Yep. Nothing worse than a slow day." Jordi tipped his soda bottle in a mock salute.

Isabella set a final dish on the table before sitting down. She dished out plates of food and after saying grace they all began eating. Adam could see there was something on Jordi's mind, something he wasn't saying.