Alone - David M. Cope (best ereader for textbooks txt) 📗

at her job. She loved helping people and she wasn't above bending a few rules to get them the help they needed.
After exchanging small talk for a few minutes, Janice asked him why he was there to see her. “I know you didn't come down here to ask how my day is. You usually do that on the phone. Out with it. What's going on?”
“You always were too smart. Alright, I have a problem and I need some advice from someone on the inside. From someone I can trust. Jennifer and I need your help.”
“ I don’t think I like where this is going. Please don’t ask me to do something that will get me canned. It took me a year to get back in the good graces of my boss the last time.”
Delbert grinned and replied, ”Yeah, but you liked it, didn't you?”
“I liked helping that child, but I didn't like the trouble I got into, thank you very much. Now what do you need?”
“Advice only.”
“Advice I can give you. Now spit it out. It's almost my lunch.”
“Make it an early lunch and it's on me. I'll even drive.”
“Oh, brother, the free lunch routine. Well, this is going to cost you, mister. And don't think it's going to be fast food, either.”
“Fair enough. Let's go.”
“Do you think you can start the story before we get there? I'd like to enjoy part of my meal.”
“Alright. I promise.”
In the car he told her he had found the little girl he had called her about, only it was two children, not one. “And they are brother and sister. The worst part is they are homeless and the mother died six months ago.”
“Where are they? Why didn't you bring them with you?”
“They're at our house. Now, Jennifer and I want to adopt them. How do we do that without the children being put into a foster home while we await the decision? And don't tell me it can't be done.”
“Fine, I won't tell you. But I will tell you that you are crazy if you think I am going to help you keep those kids during the adoption process, when you know it's illegal.”
“Be serious, Janice. We want to adopt them. Both of them are scared and they don't trust anyone. The little girl promised her mother before she died that she would take care of her little brother. And she has done it for six months, without any help. They've been sleeping under a bridge since the mother died. She works every day and earns five dollars cleaning a store. Then she begs for more work around the area and accepts food or money. They had a mattress and even a few pieces of furniture. She had built a small fireplace to cook and a small cooler to keep food in.”
“Wait a minute. When did you find them?”
“Friday evening.”
“And you are just now coming to me? What did you do with them over the weekend?”
Clearing his throat Delbert answered, “We kept them at our house. We bought them some clothes, took them out to eat and spent the weekend at a motel where they had a pool. The kids loved it.”
“I didn't just hear that. Are you crazy? Do you know how many laws you broke? Both of you could lose your jobs. Not to mention the possible jail time. I don't want any part of this.”
“So you don't want to see the children? Their names are Emily and Mark and they are the cutest kids you've ever seen. They need our help, Janice. I mean it.”
She shot him a look that would have dropped a bull elephant at a hundred yards. “You had to tell me their names, didn't you? Delbert, so help me, one of these days I will shoot you. I want a fancy lunch, with wine. I need to get drunk.”
“Oh, would you hush. You're not getting drunk until after you help us.”
“This is your last favor, mister. Don't even think of ever asking me for help after this. Lose my number. I mean it. Throw it away.”
“Sorry, I've got it memorized. Besides, it's in the phone book.”
“I'm having it changed and unlisted when I get back to the office.”
“Would you listen to yourself? Get your number unlisted. Of all the ridiculous things to say. It's a government office, you dope.”
“Then I'll transfer out of state.”
“Now who's crazy?”
Janice hit him on the arm and said, “If that isn't the pot calling the kettle black. Shut up and get me to lunch.”
During lunch Janice was especially quiet and Delbert left her alone. He knew her well enough to know she was thinking about their problem, and as long as he let her think, she would come up with a solution. She didn't get drunk but she did have more than she needed, since she had to go back to work. But it wasn't long before he found out she had that covered. Back in the car she laid out the plan she had worked out.
“Alright, there is one thing we can do. You and Jennifer contact your attorney. You do have an attorney, don't you?”
“We've never needed one till now.”
“Knowing you the way I do, I find that hard to believe. But, okay. Get an attorney that is familiar with adoption laws. Start the process to get approved to adopt. Once you are approved, you can say you've been taking care of the kids because you are their Godparents. Normally, you would need a letter stating you and Jennifer are the godparents signed by the mother, both godparents and notarized.”
“But the mother is dead. How are we going to get a letter now? She would have to sign in front of the notary.”
“I'm a notary you big oaf,” said Janice as she hit him in the arm again. “You just keep getting me in deeper and deeper, don't you? Boy do you owe me big time. And don't think I'll forget about it, either. And don't think I'll let you forget it. Hey, where are we going?”
“I'm taking you back to work. Where do you think we're going?”
“Oh no you don't, I'm not going back to work after drinking all the wine I had. I'll call the office and tell them I have a field visit to conduct. I don't have any appointments this afternoon.”
“So where do we go from here?”
“To your place if you want me to see the kids. But stop at a store so I can get some breath mints.”
They pulled up to the house and saw Jennifer's' car was still in the garage. When they opened the door, Jennifer met them and hugged Delbert before turning to welcome Janice. They had met only once before but had liked each other instantly.
“Hello, Janice. It's nice to see you again. You should come by more often.”
“Hi, Jennifer, how are you?”
“Good, thanks. Has Delbert told you?”
“Oh yes. He has me involved up to my eyeballs. How are the kids?”
“Emily is great. Mark is a little under the weather so I stayed home today. I think we should take him to the doctor. I'm worried. He hasn't eaten and he slept most of the day.”
“Does he have a temperature?” asked Janice.
“A slight fever. It was 100 when I last checked him. He won't drink anything and he needs fluids.”
“Have you called the doctor to see if they can fit him in today?” Delbert asked.
“I was about to call when you drove up.”
“Go ahead and call. I'll check on him. Janice, would you follow me, please?”
They walked to the bedroom and saw Mark was asleep under the covers. He was beginning to sweat and was shaking.
“Forget the doctor, Jennifer. Let's get him to the hospital. He's sweating and shaking.” He picked Mark up and carried him to the car. Jennifer, Emily and Janice followed. On the way to the hospital Janice had a great opportunity to watch how they interacted with each other. And she saw all she needed to see. These two really loved the children. And Emily seemed to really care for them. She was holding tightly to Jennifer. She was a beautiful little girl.
Mark was so frail, but you could tell he would grow up to be a handsome young man. He was awake now, and his little hand was holding Delbert's as though he didn't want him to get away. She knew from that moment she would help them in any way she could. She knew about Delbert and Jennifer trying to have children, and about the miscarriages. She knew they desperately wanted children. And these two seemed a perfect match for them. They were already a family.
“When we get to the hospital, let me talk to the doctor. Children Services will pay for the hospital bill. You don't need to start your new life broke.”
“Thanks, Janice. That really isn't necessary.”
“Yes it is, if you want my help. This is a good opportunity to establish you as the godparents.”
“Emily? From now until we adopt you, you will have to tell anyone who asks that we are your godparents. I'll explain later. But for now, will you trust us?”
“Yes sir. I trust you. I'll remember.”
“You don't have to call me sir, Sweetheart. It won't be long before you can call me dad, if you want. But for now, you can just call me Delbert.”
“But mommy told us to respect adults and not call them by their first name.”
“And your mom was right, honey. But there are always exceptions to almost every rule.”
“Exception?”
“Let's see. It means that sometimes you're allowed to break the rule because the rule does not really take care of a problem. But always make sure you are right before breaking the rule. If you have any questions, just ask. Does that help?”
“I guess so.”
Jennifer tried to help Emily understand. “Honey, your mommy was a very good mother. She tried to teach you respect and right from wrong. But she knew you were probably too young to understand back then. She would have explained it to you when you got a little older and smarter, when you would have understood better.”
“Oh, I see. Alright. Godparents.”
Jennifer hugged her tightly. Janice was moved by this display. These two were going to be excellent parents. Even during