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“Lots of people do it every day in New York.” She smiles. “I will make a note in your file. Let’s sit down so we can go over a few things.”
We return to the living room and I sit next to Connor, who slings his arm across the back of the couch. His fingers are a featherlight touch against my neck, grounding me. I didn’t realize how nervous I was to have Gloria in our home. It feels like we have a detective interrogating us with a magnifying glass looking over every inch of our lives.
“I want Connor to be aware that with social services, we can call you at any time, day or night, to help us with a baby or child in need. It could be on a Monday at ten a.m. or in the middle of the night. Usually, the circumstances aren’t great.”
I blanch, and Gloria nods.
“It’s sad, but it’s reality. Are you both prepared for that?”
Connor looks over at me, and we nod. “I’m used to workin’ late hours and bein’ up early.”
“Remind me, you’re a bartender?”
“I co-own The Social Hour bar. And yes, I do bartend on occasion when we’re short-staffed.”
“Does that happen a lot? Having to work late nights?”
“Sometimes. But I’ve got a great staff. They are like family, so we try to help each other out when we can.”
Gloria looks at Connor thoughtfully. “We have a saying at my job I think you’re familiar with.”
“What’s that?” Connor smiles at me. I squeeze his leg reassuringly.
“Last call. It means we’re calling in one of our foster families because the shit has hit the fan—excuse my language. It means you’re my last hope.”
“That’s a much different version than a bar’s last call,” I tease. “Don’t worry, Gloria, we are prepared to be on call twenty-four-seven.”
“Good. Often we use you as a temporary placement until a family member can step up. I need you to be aware of that scenario as well. It’s easy to get attached to the babies.”
Connor clears his throat and leans forward. “What if we wish to foster an older child?”
“Well, that most certainly is a possibility and a better scenario for keeping the child long-term if it’s a good fit, but I will warn you, these children have been through a lot emotionally. Some of them are drug babies and have cognitive issues. Some of them have witnessed things no child should ever have to see. Some of them are shut down and hard to reach, even in the most loving homes. These are the children who get lost in the system. They aren’t wanted by anyone, and it affects them mentally and emotionally. I’m not trying to scare you. I just want you to be aware, okay?”
“Yes.” We nod.
“Great. I will enroll you in the weekly classes. I understand, Connor, you work a lot of nights, so TJ, you will still need to come on your own.”
“Do I get to see you, Gloria?”
“Of course.” She smiles.
“Well, then it’s a no-brainer.”
Gloria stands to leave, swinging her satchel over her shoulder. She hands Connor the same folder she gave me at lunch. “My card is in here if you have any questions. You can call me anytime. Connor, it was a pleasure meeting you. Thank you both for inviting me into your home and for wanting to become a part of the foster community.”
“Thank ye for yer time, Gloria,” Connor says. We stand in the doorway and wave. Once she’s safely on the elevator and I’ve blown her at least a hundred air-kisses, we return to the apartment.
“So this foster thing might not be such a bad idea—”
“I called Penny and we’re packing up her apartment and booking her a flight,” I squeal. Connor’s smile falls, and my stomach drops. “Shit, too fast? Too soon? You gave me the green light.”
Connor sits down on the sofa and closes his eyes. “Aye, yer right, I did…Penny it is, then.”
I sit next to him and place my hand on his thigh. “Babe, I know you’re concerned about her, but her enthusiasm trumps my worries. She’s so excited to be doing this with us.”
Connor smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. He places his hand over mine. “Then I’m excited too, Love. I guess we need to research where to have the procedure done and we’ll have to pick out a donor egg, set her up with a doctor, and get the guest room ready.”
“Already done. Well, I contacted the clinic for IVF treatment. I have an appointment set up for you in a few weeks at the spank bank.”
