"Loren!" Levi happily sang, skipping over to her as they came into view.
His enthusiasm for everything he did was endearing. I'd worried his mom would fill him with lies and deceit about me when I wasn't around, but Levi hadn't acted differently around me if she was. I tried to keep our divorce out of conversations with him but wasn't confident the same courtesy was given.
"Hey, cookie monster," Loren greeted him, a smile on her face as she did. "You ready to tell me all about these straws you're a fan of?"
I watched them chat as they made their way out the door. Jude appeared a little lost but walked along with us all the same. Dropping back, I kept the twins between us as Loren and Levi led the way.
"Hey, Jude. How did you do today?"
"Um, pretty good, I think. After Loren bought a picture, some other people came over and did the same. More than I expected." He shrugged.
"That's awesome, man. How's your new foster home going?"
He shrugged again, and I knew what he was feeling. Foster homes could be hit or miss. The good ones didn't tend to have openings or want teens, leaving the bad ones and people only in it for the money. The terrible ones made you wish to be anywhere else. He'd come to the center a couple of times the past few months after running away. I wish there was more I could do for him, but with my current custody legal proceedings, I wasn't in the position to do anything.
Our group walked up the stairs for the train platform and headed to an empty spot where we could all stand. It was weird how natural this felt, strangers made of four kids and two adults, and yet, we felt like a unit. The kids enjoyed the train ride to the restaurant, and I smiled at the simple pleasure they got from things. I needed to channel more of that freedom and enjoyment.
Lunch was filled with shakes, burgers, and fries as we all stuffed ourselves full. When we were all so full to the point it felt like we may need to be rolled out the door, I discreetly left the table in the guise of using the restroom. Instead, I paid the bill out of sight, hoping to make it less of an issue for Jude. I knew it would be a touchy subject, and this way, it helped take that fight away. The kids would be oblivious to things, but Jude would be very focused on it, expecting strings—I always had been.
"Okay, who's ready to go?" I chirped, clapping my hands together, grabbing their attention.
The group began to gather their belongings and bundled themselves up to head back out into the cold. Loren gave me a secret smile, knowing what I'd done. As I hoped, Jude looked suspicious but didn't bring it up in front of the little ones.
"Loren, I don't expect you to keep following along since I kind of hoodwinked you into riding with me all day," I joked. "I've got to drop the kids off at their mom's work and then head back to the condo. Jude, where do you need to be? Are you going to the center?"
He glanced forlornly between the two, torn on how to answer. It hit me that he might be unsure about us or Loren going to his foster home. Loren, recognizing the situation as well, jumped in. "I need to talk to Mitzi. Jude, how about you accompany me to the center and Monroe can handle the twins?"
Jude nodded in relief, and while I understood Loren's reasoning, part of me was sad it was all ending, our crazy little impromptu date. The kids gave her hugs as she and Jude walked off toward the center. Levi looked sad to see them go, almost as much as I did. Looking back one last time, I forced myself in the other direction, directing the kids as I formulated a plan to see her sooner this time.