“Hi, do you remember me?” little Anna, the foster girl, asked. “I asked my foster Mom if I could see you again.”
“Of course I remember you. How are things going at this foster?” I knelt down to be eye level. “Are they treating you good?”
“Yes, I like this family. I wish I didn’t have to leave.” Anna wiped at a tear. “Did you ever have a foster family you liked?”
“Sure, I did. Unfortunately, I never got adopted, but look at me now.” I hugged her. “You’ll get through it. Just remember to enjoy the good moments when they happen.”
Her foster mom walked up behind her. “Anna, would you like another picture with Santa?”
“Can I get one with Santa’s elf,” Anna looked to me, “so I can remember that I’ll be okay like her?”
“Oh my. Sure, I can get a picture with you. Luckily, elf Sherry is just getting here.” I motioned for Sherry to hurry over and put her stuff down. “Go ahead and get up on Santa’s lap.”
I told Sherry the little girl wanted a picture with Santa and an elf. I didn’t want to get into it about my messed-up life. Santa gave a Ho Ho Ho and we all got a few pictures taken.
“Print an extra picture for you to keep, if you want one, that is,” the foster mom said. “My name is Candace, by the way. Just so you know, I’m trying to adopt her.”
“Really?” I asked, holding back tears. “She likes you. When will you tell her?”
“I thought it might be a great Christmas present. I wanted to thank you for speaking with her. She really opened up to us after that day.”
“I’m so happy.” I hugged Candace. “She’s a lucky girl.”
“I think I’m lucky to have found her.” Candace smiled. “Now they’re leaving me.”
I waved as they walked away, then called out “You make sure you come see me again.”
Chapter 24
Asher
The person with my cell is fishing to see if I’m a male or a female. Very interesting. Maybe I should ask who I’m texting with.
I sent a text.“Are you trying to get a new case to look good for a girl?”
The security system was in place with cameras ready. The fireplace would be live with a roaring fire tomorrow and, in two days, we’d have our first movie night. I was excited to see what the cameras would catch tonight. I stood watching a few children running around the new playground.
This is coming together nicely. Now I need more ideas. I also need charity ball ideas.
I wanted to plan this charity ball myself to prove I could. I knew my brothers would be doubting me. August would give me a hard time, but he always had my back. Maybe my old cell would have some ideas.
“Are you ignoring me?I texted.
“No, I’ve been busy and no, I’m not trying to impress a girl.”
“Are you a girl?”
“Again, I’m your cell phone and you don’t know what I am?”
“You’ve been gone so long now that I forgot.”
“Nice try, but you’ll have to figure it out.”
“I’ll work on it but, in the meantime, I need help on a party I have to plan.”
“And you’re asking your cell phone?”
“Yeah, I used to have plenty of conversations with you before you left me.”