Chapter Eleven: Now That I Found You

I walked into Ray, and Marie's house, with the final form that they needed to sign for out Busch Gardens trip in two weeks. As I walked in, I noticed both Ray, and Marie sitting on the couch in the living room which was quite odd since Ray is normally at work at this time, especially for a Wednesday.

"Happy, would you come sit on the couch with us?"Marie asked in her sweet motherly tone.

"Sure."I replied as I put my black backpack on the floor of the entry way, and walked over to the living room couch.

I sat down on the couch in between both Ray, and Marie, hoping that this conversation was not like most them are with the other foster homes I have been in. The type of conversation where they tell you, "Hey kid, no one wants you, so we don't want you either." Ever since I met Ray, and Marie, I realized that there are good people out there, and that not everyone is going to reject you in life, you just have to keep trying, and then the right couple will find you.

"Happy, we've had a great time with you."Marie began as I figured out where this conversation was headed.

Just when I thought that Ray, and Marie were the one couple that would finally accept me, they go, and turn like this. I guess now that there really aren't any good couples in the world, that they all will reject you.

No one wants a weird girl like me, they all want a little girl who likes playing with dolls, and likes unicorns, No one wants a girl who likes building cars from scratch, and motorcycles, they all want a princess.

"And now has come the time where we have to give you back."Marie continued as tears began to build up in my eyes.

I couldn't believe it, I just couldn't accept the fact that Ray, and Marie were ready to give me back, just like that. Ray, and I were going to go to the record store, and get 1984 today, and Marie was going to show me how to make my favorite dinner, chicken parm, and spaghetti that she makes from scratch.

"But."Ray began."Marie, and I both, got to thinking, and we don't want to give up a perfect little girl like you Happy, and we want to know what your thoughts are on us adopting you."Ray said as smile formed on all our faces that stretched from ear to ear.

"You, want to adopt me?"I asked them in both a shocked, and excited tone.

They both nodded their heads, and I got up from the couch, and began pacing the floor as Ray put his arm around Marie.

"You want to adopt a kid like me?"I asked them.

"You're special Happy, and we don't want to give up a chance on helping to raise a special girl like you."Marie told me in a soothing voice.

I stopped pacing, and looked over at them, and saw their smiling faces, I know that I only have four more years with Ray, and Marie, and then I'm an adult, but there's something about having a mom, and dad that I've always wanted, some stability, instead of going from foster home to foster home, and orphanage to orphanage. I want a family, like the ones I see on TV, and Ray, and Marie were willing to give me that.

"Thank you."I said as I hugged them both, and tears of joy began to roll down my face.

"Your welcome sweetheart, and you don't have to call me Marie anymore, you can call me mom."Marie, or mom said as she stroked my hair, and looked me in the eye as tears began to roll off my cheek, and onto my jacket.

"And you don't have to call me Ray anymore, you can call me dad."Ray, or dad said as he looked me in the eye, and rubbed my back.

It was just so unreal to me, having a family, a place to call home, someone to call mom, and someone to call dad.

We hugged for a little while longer then Mark walked in, and I handed them the last permission slip, and walked upstairs to my room to complete my homework.

When I walked into my room, I immediately completed my homework then Ray walked in with Marie, and Mark, and we all went out to eat to celebrate my adoption, and to the record store as promised to get the new album. When we got home, I was so exhausted that I went right to sleep, without even looking out the window once for a blue truck with a rusted fender.