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Chelsea nods and forces a wet-eyed san andthe with friends of Janet’s for just a little while Hoonderful it’ll be How much fun they’ll have

I pray they can’t hear the tre thee last e of adequate foster families in DC And I envision three cars, each with two of the them apart

"I can’t tell you that"

"Then tell rowl But

She takes pity on ood people The real deal They’ve agreed to take all six of the kidsfor the weekend"

I look up sharply "The weekend? That’s it?"

Janet faces my heated expression head-on "After that, it’ll depend on what’s available" Her voice falls back to professionalishts, her options She can request an e damn it"

Footfalls clunk down the steps Ray a stoic ive hio and rushes over to Chelsea, where he’s im to say Words that could htmare for them Before I can say the first word, Rory comes down the stairs, his blue eyes round and shaken I expect him to join his brothers and sisters in their close-knit cluster To run to Chelsea But he doesn’t

He runs to , holding on for dear life His voice is ainst my waist, but I hear every word "I’ood"

My eyes sting as this poor, lost kid pours out his heartand tears mine to pieces

I slide to my knees in front of hi you did made this happen"

"But--"

"It’s not your fault, kid"

He hiccups "Don’t letthem takeus"

My voice is low and irrefutable "I’ll bring you ho you all ho for honesty "When?"

And I curse the tis that forceyou home Monday" I push his hair back and brush his tear-streaked face "Do you remember what I told you, about a man and his word?"