He grew up in foster care, and he wouldn't let Jake's boy languish there when there's another option.
But how will the silent, recovering Ed cope? He's grumpy as fuck. How will he cope with a six-year-old boy in the house?
It's not an ideal option, but it's the best we can offer.
I go to put the photo album back in the box and pause when I see a pile of letters. Avery mentioned them to me. They're addressed to a Sophia Eaves, but that's not the mother of this kid.
So who the fuck is Sophia, and why was Jake writing to her?
It's just one more mystery about my brother. One mystery too many for the moment.
I put the photo album down on top of the letters and push the box back into the corner.
I think about going to see how Dad's getting on in the kitchen, but I'd rather not witness what he's doing in there.
Instead, I head upstairs. I want to talk to Avery, to see if she's thinking the same thing: that she and Ed will need to take in Sam.
I don't want to disturb Mom, so I tread silently. I'm a big guy, but Navy SEALs learn to move around quietly.
I pause at the top of the stairs as I hear voices coming from Mom's room. I tiptoe down the hall until I'm outside her door.
"You can't take him on, Mom. Not with all this going on."
I'm relieved to hear Avery is thinking the same way I am.
"Me and Ed will step up. We've just redecorated. He can have the spare room."
"No, honey. You'll be wanting to start a family of your own."
There's silence, and I'm about to push my way into the room when I hear Mom gasp.
"Oh my goodness, Avery. You're pregnant!"
I peer through the crack in the door, not wanting to intrude on their moment. Mom's propped up in bed with pillows behind her, and Avery's perched on the side of the bed, holding her hand. She's looking down, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
"How can you tell?"
"I can tell by looking at you, honey. I know my own daughter. How far?"
Avery shakes her head. "We've only known for a matter of days. It was unexpected and too soon to tell anyone. So I don't even want to talk about it yet. But... yeah. I'm pregnant."
Mom clasps her hands together and looks the happiest I've seen her since Jake died.
"Honey, that's wonderful."
Then her face falls. "Oh, but you can't take another kid on. Not with a new baby in the house."
"We will take him, Mom. It will be fine."
Avery's as compassionate as my mother and just as determined.
"But will Ed be fine?" Mom voices the same concern I'm having. "I love Ed honey, but he's been through a lot, and being a father is hard."
"He'll be fine. It will be fine." Avery says it determinedly, like she's trying to convince herself.
It's a lot for Avery and Ed to take on. With a new baby in the house, the last thing they need is a grief-stricken six-year-old.
I don't announce myself. Avery's not ready to share her news, and I shouldn't have been eavesdropping.
