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Ashton
It’s become a tradition,dinner with Devin, Collin, and Lainey after our weekly classes. It’s not uncommon for volunteers to bond with the kids they work with, but there’s something about these three. I see so much of myself in each of them. How Devin feels like he should be the man of the house. In my case, my father was taken from me too soon, with Dev, his father is a piece of shit who only comes home to steal money he’s saving for college.
Lainey reminds me of Tia, so strong on the outside, but worries from day to day that her security will be ripped from her. She’s seen so much—both in her own home and from other neglected children in her neighborhood.
And Collin is a combination of Noah and me, with his heart so full of love and protection for his siblings.
Devin has confided in me that he’s going to petition the court for guardianship as soon as he turns eighteen and can secure an apartment and a job. He’s enrolling in community college to further his education, staying in Seattle to be the adult his sister and brother have never had.
"I've spoken with Kate," he says out of nowhere. She has become attached to the kids and is blown away by Devin's art. She's helped at the community center a few times. She's taken Dev under her wing, and he helps her before a show. "Kate told me that I'll have a job with her once I graduate, and she'll pay for my college. I want to learn how to run a gallery. It's my goal to own one, too, and I'd like to further my knowledge in art history."
He has a plan, but supporting two children both financially and mentally is so much to ask of a kid his age. He should be worried about parties, girls, and living on ramen noodles. But, he’s willing to take the world on, to support his siblings. I have mad respect for the young man, and what he’s attempting to do is honorable.
“Do you think your mom will fight you?”
He shakes his head. “She tells us daily that her life would be better without us. I’m sure it’ll cost me, though. She most likely will agree to it, if I give her money.”
After the last time his father stole his cash, he asked us to take him to the bank, where his money would be safe.
I realize I had something these kids don’t have, and it was one loving parent. My mother sacrificed her life for us. And it’s what I want to do for our own children.
As always, we send them home with extra food. I don’t ever ask if it lasts long enough for the kids to eat it the next day, but in the past few weeks, Devin has taken our money, promising to use it, if he needs it.
I’m sad every time we drop them off at their house. I look forward to seeing them each week, and Devin has our personal cells if there’s ever an emergency. And in our limited time together, these kids have won our hearts.
“Hey honey?” Noah asks when we get on the 99. “What would you say we start taking foster care classes? You never know when someone might need us.”
We both realize who may need us one day, and like me, he wants to be prepared.
* * *
The morning light wakes me,and I’m in bed by myself. I reach toward his side, and it’s empty. “Babe?” I call out through the open space.
I hear his footsteps coming from the stairs leading to the bathroom. “Good morning, honey.” He drops his towel, and I verbally growl.
“I like you like that. Please come back to bed, babe.”
“No can do, hon. I have your suitcase packed, and we’re leaving as soon as I make us some pancakes, so get your cute little ass in the shower so we can get a move on.”
His gleeful happiness, and the way his eyes shine, is pure mischief.
“What do you have up your sleeve, Mr. James?”
Noah looks at one wrist then the other. “I have no sleeves,” he teases, tossing a pillow my way.
“Okay, you had me at suitcase packed.” I’m positive I know where we’re going. The morning is quick, and the pancakes are filling. I have a smile on my face when Noah enters the I-5, but he’s heading south. The cabin is north, near the Canadian border.
“I fooled you, didn’t I?” he asks, pleased with himself.
“Yeah, I really hate you when you’re all cocky.”
His fingers dance up my thigh. “You love it when I’m allcocky,” he jokes, emphasizing cock in cocky.
“No, I love your cock, but you, that’s still up for debate.”
“Oh, your words hurt. But, I thought we needed a break. We’ve been so busy, between the boys and girls club, the foster parent classes, and Kate wanting us to increase our inventory.”
“And starting another program at a new center,” I remind him. We want to increase our volunteer hours, and we realize kids near us are in need too.
