Chapter 7
The drive back to our house was incredibly quiet,
the children staring out the windows at the passing cars.
I pulled into the familiar concrete driveway,
staring at the front door with a heavy heart.
This place had been a prison for Leo,
a place of fear and terrible starvation.
I turned the engine off slowly,
taking a deep breath to steady my frayed nerves.
We don't have to stay here forever,
I told them as I unbuckled my tight seatbelt.
If you want to move, we can sell it,
and find a brand new place for us to live.
Leo looked at the house with wide eyes,
his small fingers gripping the edge of his seat.
Can I have a room with a big window,
he asked in a very small and timid voice.
You can have the biggest window in the world,
I promised him with a watery, emotional smile.
We walked up to the front porch together,
my keys jingling loudly in the quiet suburban air.
I unlocked the heavy wooden door,
pushing it open to reveal the messy living room.
Vanessa's expensive shoes were still by the door,
Marcus's empty beer bottles cluttered the coffee table.
It looked exactly as we had left it last night,
frozen in a state of chaotic and angry violence.
Mia squeezed my hand tightly,
sensing my sudden and rising anger.
Let's get some trash bags,
I said with a fierce and sudden determination.
We are going to throw all of this garbage away,
and erase them from our lives completely.
For the next three exhausting hours,
we bagged up every single thing they owned.
Vanessa's designer clothes went into black plastic bags,
Marcus's heavy boots were thrown aggressively into the bin.
I dragged the heavy bags out to the curb,
feeling lighter with every single trip I made.
Leo helped by gathering the scattered magazines,
his small face focused on the simple cleaning task.
When the living room was finally completely clear,
I ordered three large pepperoni pizzas for us.
We sat on the clean floor eating hot slices,
laughing as Mia got tomato sauce on her nose.
It was the first time the house felt truly warm,
since my beloved husband had passed away last year.
Suddenly, a heavy knock pounded on the front door,
making all three of us jump in absolute shock.
I wiped my hands quickly on a paper towel,
walking cautiously toward the front entryway.
I looked through the small glass peephole,
expecting to see another angry relative or criminal.
Instead, a woman in a sharp business suit stood there,
holding a thick leather briefcase in her hands.
I opened the door just a few inches,
keeping the heavy metal chain securely locked.
Can I help you,
I asked suspiciously.
Are you Elena Rostova,
the woman asked with a polite and professional smile.
I am an attorney representing the state child welfare division,
and I need to speak with you regarding Leo's custody.
I unlocked the chain and let her step inside,
my heart pounding nervously against my ribs.
She introduced herself as Ms. Sterling,
sitting down gracefully on our newly cleaned sofa.
I understand you wish to foster the boy,
she began, pulling out a stack of complicated forms.
Yes, absolutely,
I replied without a single second of hesitation.
He belongs with us now,
and I will fight anyone who says otherwise.
Ms. Sterling smiled warmly at my fierce declaration,
setting her pen down on the coffee table.
Given the extreme circumstances of his previous guardianship,
and your heroic actions in saving his life last night,
the judge has fast-tracked your emergency foster application.
I gasped out loud,
covering my mouth with trembling hands.
You mean he can stay,
I asked, tears springing quickly to my eyes.
He can stay permanently,
she confirmed, handing me the official court documents.
May you like
You just need to sign exactly on the dotted line,
and he is officially safe in your custody.
