“Five is impossible.”
“We’re too old for this.”
“It would completely change our lives.”
Then came the sentence I never forgot.
“We’ll make sure they’re financially cared for.”
Financially.
That apparently was the part they were willing to provide.
Afterward came occasional Christmas phone calls.
And almost nothing else.
“THEY’RE COMING HOME WITH US.”
I drove back to our apartment without remembering a single traffic light.
Grant was sitting at the kitchen table when I walked inside.
“You saw the kids?”
I nodded.
“They’re terrified. Social services has them temporarily.”
Grant reached for my hand.
“What happens next?”
I answered before fear could stop me.
“They’re coming here.”
His expression changed.
“What?”
“They lost Mara and David.”
My voice cracked.
“They are not losing each other too.”
Grant slowly stood.
“Elena.”
“I mean it.”
“So do I.”
He dragged both hands across his face.
“We live in a two-bedroom apartment.”
“We’ll figure it out.”
“You’re still in school.”
“I know.”
“I married you because we were building our own life.”
“We still can.”
“No.”
Grant stared at me.
“What you’re describing is becoming the mother of five children overnight.”
“They already have a mother.”
I could barely get the sentence out.
“They just don’t have her anymore.”
Grant closed his eyes.
When he opened them, something in his expression had changed.
“I want to live my life, Elena.”
I said nothing.
“I’m not ready to become a father to five kids overnight.”
He walked into our bedroom.
Then I heard drawers opening.
For several minutes, neither of us spoke.
Finally, Grant zipped his suitcase.
