Ms. Clark gives a sigh as she looks from the suitcase’s contents to me she says, “Her foster parents were receiving four hundred and seventy-five dollars a month, you would think they could buy her new clothing. Now that Cindy is turned six you’ll receive five hundred and eighty-one dollars a month for her care.”
Kathryn’s expression does not show her anger but I feel it in her. Cindy should been treated far better than what she was. We both have discarded clothing far better than what is in Cindy’s suitcase, for anyone to treat a child in their care like that especially with the means to do better is unforgivable, Cindy was used by the people meant to care for as a simple source of money. Their greed is what fires our anger.
Any of my friends would tell you, that I would give my shirt off my back to help them or anyone. Greed is never been an issue with me. As long as I can put food on the table for my family, warm clothing on their backs and have them warm and safe would be enough for me. I could live without the extra things that money brings.
I can understand being poor and the need for money even the need to buy secondhand clothing. Surely, with the income from fostering several children, they should be able to do better for the children. I do not know the full circumstances, but the facts I know I feel Cindy’s caregivers were neglectful.
I come to a decision in that instant and I feel it echo from Kathryn, we will place the money in an account for Cindy. We will try our hand at penny stocks, hopefully by the time Cindy leaves our care she will have more than enough money to see to her needs no matter what else happens. I may have to get a special power of attorney from her mother. However, once we explain what we intend to do I hope she will be agreeable. We fully intend to help her once we are able to in a manner that will assure Cindy’s well-being.
Ms. Clark may not know what we now intend to do, Cindy’s mother definitely does not have any idea, for that matter no one other than Kathryn and I realize we intend to make Cindy’s life much easier for her. We know that sometimes that is not just throwing money at someone; there is always a chance they could misuse it and harm themselves. We will do what is best for Cindy.
I turned to Ms. Clark asking, “Does the Department of Social Services restrict how I use the money for Cindy?”
Ms. Clark says flatly, “As long as Cindy’s basic needs are met there isn’t much that DSS will say on how you use the allotment. Social Service Agents will visit to ensure you are meeting Cindy’s basic needs. I’m sure that they will be more than met under your care.”
Kathryn finally finds her voice; I know she was so angry before she held her tongue she says, “Cindy starting today, you’re getting a new wardrobe. I know will not be able to get everything today for you and Crystal. I promise you’re going to have enough clothing so that you wear clean clothing every day and can dress for the weather.”
Cindy throws her arms around Kathryn’s legs, a moment later Cindy moves to look into Kathryn’s face and asks, “I really get new clothes?”
Caressing Cindy’s face Kathryn says, “Yes Cindy you do.” Cindy breaks into a large smile, and at that moment, I know she owns a part of Kathryn’s heart as she does mine.
Ms. Clark excuses herself saying, “I would love to go shopping with you, but my supervisor only allowed me so much time to drop Cindy off. I’m afraid I’m pushing the limit now.”
I asked Cindy, “Are you going to be okay with just us? Ms. Clark has to leave.”
Cindy looking at me brightly replies, “Yes Uncle JJ.”
Of course, that did not get past Kathryn who immediately understands the reason. Looking back into Cindy’s face Kathryn says, “You can call me Aunt Kathryn.”
Cindy holding a bright smile looking into Kathryn’s face she says, “I got the best uncle and aunt any kid ever had.”
Sam giggling says, “They are great at being my Mommy and Daddy. They’re going to be great at being an uncle and aunt too.”
Crystal asks, “Why you are my Mommy and Daddy and not Cindy’s too.”
I try to answer truthfully and in the non-hurtful manner to Cindy. I say, “Cindy’s Mommy had to go away for a long time, but she’ll be coming back soon. We’ll take care of Cindy until her Mommy can.”
Crystal simply replies, “Oh.” I’m not sure if that fully satisfied, her curiosity but giving that Cindy stiffened as I said that, I hope Crystal understood that Cindy did not want to talk about it. I am glad that Cindy did not begin to cry, and Crystal did not allow her curiosity to upset Cindy anymore.
Before we even can leave I realize there is a problem, we need a booster seat for Crystal. Crystal requires one by law due to her age and size, Cindy for being six years old is rather small, but she is large enough to ride safely without one.
Telling Kathryn why I need to run into town, I leave to purchase one and quickly return. I am walking out with Ms. Clark when she asks, “JJ why did you ask if the allotment is regulated?”
Not wanting to mislead Ms. Clark I say truthfully, “I’m planning on putting it in a trust for Cindy. I will work out the full details with my lawyers. Probably end up adding quite a bit of money from myself to the trust, knowing my family they will too.”
Ms. Clark takes a deep breath before she says, “I’m not sure if we’ve had anyone ever do that before. I’ll ask my supervisor if there’s any reason why you can’t do that.”
I return within a half hour to find my house is full of my in-laws, will be making the trip together and picking up all the items for Ms. Clark. Sam and Crystal passed among their aunts and uncles both wear bright smiles, but Cindy is a little more reserved in staying near Kathryn.
I laugh as I say, “I think I should just break down and buy a bus.”
Uncle George laughs along with me, “You know that’s not a bad idea, there’s going to be a lot of kids around here shortly.”
Alyssa holding Allen at her hip with one hand and Anna holds her other hand as they walk into the room. When she reaches George, Allen moves to his new Dad. Smiling Marshall moves to his father’s side once Allen is stable in their Dad’s arms Marshall gives Allen a tickle to get their attention. With a chuckle Marshall says, “Hay little Bro.”
Giggling from the tickling Allen reaches for Marshall going to his new big brother Allen hugs Marshall while Alyssa, Misty, Joan, Johnny and Anna giggle at the two. Allen says, “Marshall you’re a fun big brother.”
Chuckling Marshall replies, “Allen you’re a fun little brother, and I’m going to teach you a lot of things that are fun to do.” Allen hugs Marshall tightly wearing a wide smile.
The Coach has just gotten to hold Crystal for the first time he is kissing her on the cheeks causing her to giggle. He pulls back to look into the beautiful face of this young girl who’s brown eyes sparkle with joy. He says, “Your Mommy and Daddy promise to give me another granddaughter but I thought I was going to have to wait another three months.”
Crystal’s voice is almost musical as she says, “Grandpa.” She hugs her new Grandfather tightly.
The look on Cindy’s face tugs at my heart; it gives away how lonely she feels because she knows that soon she will be going back to her mother. Because of this, she believes none of the family will want to continue having a relationship with her. In her experience her treatment was less than kindly, most likely told she did not deserve anything good. I know Ms. Clark had not treated her that way and I never would, but her previous foster parents were neglectful, and probably told her such things to justify their neglect.
It is time for that to stop, I open my arms for Cindy and she practically flies into my embrace. I whisper into her ear, “Cindy I will always be here for you. No matter what the future brings, or how many children I am father to I will always love you.”
Kathryn holding Cindy between us whispers, “Me too Cindy, I will always be here for you as well. I love you.”
Through her tears Cindy says, “I love you Uncle JJ. I love you Aunt Kathryn.”
The room has gone silent as my in-laws recognized Cindy’s distress. Crystal whispers into her new grandpa’s ear and it carries through the silence, “Some of the older kids always made fun of Cindy because of her clothing.”
The coach’s voice is tight and filled with emotion as he says, “We’ll fix that today.”
It only takes us a few more minutes to get ready just before we are leaving Ms. Clark comes by on her way to MC’s house.
I was wondering why MC was not there since she promised to help shop for the orphans. We walk over to MC’s house ringing the bell MC answers holding the young girl from the night before. Smiling MC says, “You are just-in-time to meet my new daughter. Rosy this is your new family. Here’s your Uncle JJ.”
MC passes Rosy to me, and I get my first good look at her. The younger only weighs about thirty pounds and probably is around four years old. She has green eyes, and a ginger complexion with red hair. She smiles into my face before she asks, “Mama says you have a pool and will teach me how to swim, will you Uncle JJ?”
Smiling in return I say, “Only if you bring your Mama along, she needs to learn to swim too.”
MC sticks her tongue out at me like a little girl, which causes Rosy and me to giggle. Then she says, “I guess I can learn how to swim for Rosy.”
I say, “Good, you need to get out a little more. You spent all day writing; I know that is your job. But now you have another that’s even more important, being a mother.”
MC giggles, “Always wise beyond your years JJ. Rosy if you ever need advice, you can always ask your Uncle JJ or me.”
Kathryn coming up to me, looking into Rosy’s face she says, “I’m your Aunt Kathryn, and your Mama is right your Uncle JJ is wise beyond his years.”
We set about doing introductions and Ms. Clark waits patiently. Ms. Clark reveals, “My supervisor is going to permit me to go shopping with you. We had a few volunteers come by to help with the children today that freed me up for the shopping trip.”
It is a good thing Ms. Clark had a booster seat for Rosy or I would be another twenty-five or thirty minutes making a trip into town before we can leave. We pick one up along with other things on our trip. Which took most of the day, and I treated Ms. Clark to lunch along with the family. We must have hit every kid’s store in the mall along with The Mother Daughter shop. When Kathryn bought matching outfits for Cindy, Sam and Crystal to go along with hers, both Cindy and Crystal cried tears of joy.
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