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"It's about tiin your new life Let's think of this as your true birth Okay? We'll even use this day as your birthday from now on Why not? Yes? I like that idea Don't you?" she declared with another thin laugh "Today is your birthday!"

"Sanford," she called before I could reply Actually, I didn't knohat to say My birthday had never been very special to me He started toward us "This day is ined It's Janet's birthday"

"It is?" he asked, looking confused "But, I thought "

"It is" She stamped her words in the air between them and he nodded

She reached her hand out to me

"Co home to celebrate"

When I saw the griht that had cootten myself into

Two

Despite the years I had lived at the orphanage, there wasn't anyone was sorry to leave behind My goodbyes were quick Those who hadjust stared with envy No one hadether and whispered, "What kind of a mother is a mother in a wheelchair?"

"One ants to loveon the inside of her cheek

Celine was already in the car, waiting Sanford helped s and then opened the car door for me as if he wereblack car with leather seats that felt as soft asas a limousine It had the scent of fresh roses

"Look at her, Sanford," Celine said "She's not the least bit sorry to be leaving that place Are you, dear?"

"No" The folloord seeue tripped over itself "Mother"

"Did you hear her, Sanford? Did you hear what she called me?"

"I did, honey" He looked back at me and smiled for the first time since I'd met him "Welcome to our family, Janet"