The next day, at school, we were talking about Carlos.
"How are things going with Carlos so far?" asked Kristy.
"Good," I said. "He was blue."
"Really?" asked Stacey.
"Yes," I said.
"I had a feeling he'd be like that on his first night being with you," said Lily.
"I was able to go to him and I told him that's common," I said.
"I admit he's lucky to have you as friend and now, a sister," said Lily.
Dawn came to the table to join us. "I want to do something fun like throwing him an adoption party."
Lily was giving Dawn a Look. "Adoption party? Are you serious?"
"Yes," said Dawn.
"I don't think that's going to happen," said Lily.
"I was planning to surprise him and invite all his friends and Linda," said Dawn.
"That's not the point," said Lily. "He's still recovering from depression and I'd worry he'd be upset all over again. If that does happen, don't say I didn't warn you. He and I have been friends for the past five years since he got there. He counted on me for support and now, he's got Mary Anne."
"Hate to say it, but I agree with Lily, Dawn," said Kristy.
At the study hall, Lily came to me.
"Can we talk?" asked Lily.
"Sure, what's up?" I asked.
"I have big news. My father found me," said Lily.
"I didn't think you had other family," I said.
"Well, I knew I had a father. He didn't knew where I was after Mom died," said Lily. "He's relocating from Colorado to here and I can move in with him. I do not have to move there. I don't want to tell Carlos unless I'm sure that's happening."
"It's better than keeping your hopes up," I said.
"I know," said Lily. "Linda gave me permission coming over to your house to see Carlos anytime I want."
"He'll like that," I said.
After school, Lily and I exchanged cell phones number while Dawn had to go baby-sit. At home, she was doing homework when Carlos came home and was glad to see her. I was doing mine on the computer.
"Hi, this is a nice surprise," said Carlos.
"Linda gave me an okay to come visit anytime I want after school," said Lily.
"Sweet," said Carlos. "Do you want to see my new room?"
"Sure," said Lily as they went up to see it. "Wow. I like this room."
Two days later, my cell phone as I got up to answer.
"Hello," I said.
"Hi, it's Lily. I just got more info," said Lily.
"Like what?" I asked.
"My father is moving next weekend. He wants to get settle in before he comes for me," said Lily. "The good news is that I don't need to change schools."
"Sure. Glad you didn't tell him until you find out some more," I said.
"I thought about the same thing," said Lily. "He wants remain here for good."
The next day, Lily said, "Linda knows I'll be going home with you after school today."
"Okay," I said. "I'll let you guys talk in private."
"No problem," said Lily.
Later, Lily was waiting for Carlos when he came home. I went to my room so I can do my homework on my laptop.
"Hi," said Carlos.
"Hi," said Lily. "I got some news. My father is moving here this weekend. He's coming for me after he gets settled in and I don't need to change schools. I can still come over to see you."
"That's cool," said Carlos.
"When I found out, I didn't want to say anything unless I was sure," said Lily.
"I understand," said Carlos.
"My father's going to be remarried soon. His fiancée have two kids of her own who are around the same age as me. They're twins," said Lily.
That night, at dinner, I was glad to see Carlos was feeling better than before. He told the rest about Lily.
"Her father will be here, but she'll be living with him," said Carlos. "He was looking for her for quite some time. He did not know she was with us after her mom died."
"Wow," said Dawn.
"She didn't want to mention until she had more information, which made sense," said Carlos.
"I don't blame her," said Sharon.
"I can pitch in doing things around the house while Mary Anne's hand is recovering," said Carlos.
"That would be great," said Dad.
"Sure. I don't mind having another helper, especially when I clean the kitchen," said Dawn.
"You can always do it when you're not doing sports," said Sharon.
"Oh, speaking of that, I'll get my sports schedule for my basketball practice and games after dinner," said Carlos. "That's in my room. I almost forgot about that. Most of them are afternoons."
After dinner, he said, "Do you want me to get my schedule either before or after I help Dawn?"
"Either way is fine," said Sharon.
"I'll do whatever you want me to do in the kitchen," said Carlos.
"You can clear the table and I'll do the dishwasher. Mary Anne and I take turns doing that," said Dawn.
"Even when she recovers, we can alternate cleaning the kitchen," said Carlos.
"That's a good idea," said Dawn.
"My family did it that way, too, when we got assigned to do chores every day," said Carlos.
"We can add another person to take out the trash and take turns doing that," I said.
After he helped Dawn, he went upstairs to get his sports schedule and came down with it. "I'll put it with my bus schedule. I only have practice once or twice a week. I have games once a week. I don't have practice until Tuesday and my game is Friday. Sometimes, my games is at night. I'd like to invite you to my home games and when I play against Stoneybrook Middle School."
"Sure, count me in," I said.
"I'll come, too," said Dawn.
"Okay, great," said Carlos.
"I usually see my boyfriend play anyway, so I try to make myself available when that happens," I said.
"Can Mom and Dad come, too?" asked Carlos.
"Of course," said Sharon.
"I barely come home right away because the coach takes us out for dinner first," said Carlos. "I do homework first thing I get home. If I have sports, I do it after dinner."
"That's a good idea," I said. "Logan have practice every other day and a game once a week. He's one of the associate members. He only takes over for one of us if he's not busy. Same with Shannon."
"I recall how good he is," said Carlos.
"It would be funny if I see you guys play against each other," I said as we giggled. "Kristy runs a baseball league for a few of our clients."
"Did I mention I'm also a catcher?" asked Carlos.
"That's cool," said Dawn.
"Alexis taught me to be a one, which is how I got that in the first place. I'm thinking of trying-out to be pitcher when the baseball comes around. Can I ask one of them for help?" asked Carlos.
"Sure," I said. "Logan wants to be a coach for any of three sports."
"My plan is to be on any basketball or baseball team," said Carlos. "I haven't decide which one yet. I plan to continue during high school and college."
"A lot of players do that," said Dawn.
We talked for a long time until it was almost time for bed. The ice pack was getting dry, so I went to put it in the freezer before I went to go change into my nightgown while Carlos went to bed.