Page 4 of Thalen

“It’s nearly three o’clock now, so I’ll make it to the home just before he gets there. We’ll be here around four-thirtyish, if that’s alright?”

“Perfect!” I replied, holding out my hand to shake hers. “I’ll be here.”

I walked her to the door and did a little dance as soon as the door closed.

“I’m gonna be a dad!” I crowed, then scurried off to put fresh sheets on the twin bed I’d gotten from the thrift store after applying and getting approved. The bed and the dresser weren’t fancy, but they were in good condition. Especially the dresser, after I followed a YouVid tutorial on sanding down, filling chips and dents, and applying a new finish. I’d even gotten the sandpaper and wood finish for free from a local Buy Nothing group who’d provided a couple sets of sheets for the bed too. One set had dinos in primary colors all over a white background, and the other was a plain set of blue sheets with navy piping. I just hoped he liked them.

I got the bed made, noting to myself that I needed to stop and buy him a pillow and a blanket while we were out, as well as anything else he might need. I looked at the pictures of tractors and combines I’d decorated the bedroom walls with, wondering what he would make of them. Would he be excited about going into space and moving to a farm to live among aliens?

Man, when I was his age, if I’d gotten the chance to do that, I’d have been all over it. But he’s not me.

The self doubt starting to creep in evaporated as I heard the knock on the door. I nearly fell onto the floor as I tripped over my own feet in my excitement to go meet my new son. I opened it, happy to see Ms. Baines standing there with a duffle bag in one hand, her other hand holding firmly onto Jason’s as if afraid he’d wander off or something despite his age.

She led him inside and set his duffle onto the coffee table.

“Here he is,” she said cheerfully. “Mr. Morales, this is Jason, and Jason, this is Evan Morales, the man who wishes to adopt you.”

Jason stared wide-eyed at me, not saying a word. His eyes were watchful and cautious, a look I knew well.

“Hi, Jason! Are you hungry? I was gonna head out to get pizza, as I need to go to the store. What kind of pizza do you like?”

“Pepperoni.”

“Great! I’m sure they’ll have that.”

“Mr. Morales, do you have a car seat for him?”

“No, but I don’t have a car. I take the bus or Uber.”

She pursed her lips together. “Even if Ubering, as a foster child, our rules state he must be in a suitable restraint. A booster seat would be fine.”

I nodded. “Of course! Safety first! No worries. We’ll take the bus and eat at the Pizza Hut over by Target. I’ll get him a booster seat while we pick up some groceries and stuff, then Uber on home.”

She smiled. “Perfect.” She handed me her card. “Call me if you have questions or need anything. I’ll check in with you by phone at the end of next week.”

We both watched as she left.

I picked up his duffle, opening it to see what was inside. A worn teddy bear, some t-shirts, one of which had Lord knew what was on it as a stain, some jeans, socks, and undies, and a pair of PJs. Oh, and a few Hot Wheels. Yep, he definitely needed stuff. I’d pick up underwear, socks, a pillow, and a blanket tonight along with a booster seat, and tomorrow we’d hit up my fave thrift store. They always had the best like new stuff in there. I glanced down at his feet.

Better add some shoes and slippers to tonight’s list.

I took his duffle to his room and helped him put his meager belongings away.

“You really wanna adopt me?” Jason finally said.

“Sure do!”

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I grew up a foster kid and knew that one day, I wanted to be a dad. And I decided I was ready to be a dad now, and the news said there was this really cool kid who needed a dad, and I called up and said, ‘Pick me!’ and they did.”

He giggled.

“You’re kind of weird. That’s okay. I’m kind of weird too.”

“No!”

“Uh huh.” He pointed to his face. “I got a ghost eye, everyone says so.”