They’re like me—broken. And they’re also superhero fans.
I take out the comic books Rose gave me. She even wrote my name on the inside in orange marker because I told her orange is my favorite color. She remembered.
I try to read, but I can’t focus as I remember the taste of the hot chocolate Zander made. When I told him it’s the most tasty hot chocolate I ever had, he said he didn’t make it from “package shit.”
I smile, remembering how Rose scolded him for using the s word. I laugh at the thought, like I laughed then when Zander held his ears and promised to never repeat the word.
* * *
The next morning, I brush my teeth, moving the toothbrush up and down, then front and back, just like my mom showed me. My mom also told me that we get bacteria that eat our teeth if we don’t brush them properly. I don’t want my teeth to be gone, because then I could only drink soup, and I hate soup.
I shower before taking out my yellow T-shirt. Ms. Day says I look very handsome in it. Maybe the new parents won’t know I’m broken if they find me handsome. After combing my hair like Mom used to do, I smile in the mirror. Ms. Day says a smile wins the heart, so I should smile first and then shake hands before telling my name to the new parents.
“Ready, Alex?” Ms. Greta walks inside the room. “You look very handsome. Are you excited about meeting these people?”
I give her a nod. I don’t know if I’m excited or not, but I don’t want a bigger dresser drawer to store more gifts in. I want to leave this place with five storybooks, three small cars, and two baseballs.
Ms. Greta and I walk inside Ms. Day’s office. The new people have their back to me, but I know the shirt. It’s red and black, and hidden under it are scars like mine.
“Rose?” I whisper. “Zander?”
They both get up before turning around to face me. “Alex!” they say, almost in unison.
“What are you doing here?”
“We want to take you home,” Rose whispers, her eyes shining with tears.
“Your home?” I hold my breath. Please say yes!
“And yours too.” She opens her arms, beckoning me to her like my mom used to do.
I try to run, but my leg doesn’t allow me to, and I fall down.
My heart falls to my stomach. They know, Alex. They know you’re broken.
Rose rushes to me and then holds me in her arms. “Are you hurt?”
Tears run down my cheeks as I shake my head. “I can’t run. I’m broken.”
I hide my face from them.
They won’t take me now.
They won’t make me their boy.
But Zander puts his finger under my chin, making me look up at him. “You can’t run now, but someday you’ll win a race. I promise.”
“Really?”
He nods and I believe him. Zander can do anything. He is a big boss, but he can also cook. That’s his superpower—to do anything.
“You’ll take me?” I ask him, and he nods. “And I’ll never come back here?”
“Never. Unless you want to visit your friends,” Rose replies, then her lips turn up in a smile.
“All my friends are gone. I never want to return.”
“Oh, but I got some gifts for them.” Rose shows me a big bag, opening it so I can take a peek. Inside are chocolates and toys.