The Chance (Thunder Point #4)(74)

“Jesus,” Al said, frustrated. “If you’re lucky enough to get some sons, you’d think...” He shook his head. “They’re nice boys,” he said.

“They’re amazing boys,” Scott agreed. “I spent half the early morning hours patching up a bunch of boys who were out partying while Justin was home tucking in his little brothers. And they don’t want much, they just want to keep their family together. It’s not like any of them were irresponsible—they just got hammered by MS. Families coping with MS need a lot of resources. A lot of support.”

Al thought on this for a while. Then he asked, “So, is there a test to be a foster parent?”

“No,” Scott said. “Why? You thinking about it?”

“Well, I’m pretty sure I’m not the right kind of person. And I’m not sure what’s required.”

“A lot of paperwork,” Scott said with a shrug, concentrating on his breakfast once again.

Paperwork, Al thought dismally. “Forms,” he said almost to himself.

Scott laughed. “It wouldn’t be a government agency if there wasn’t a lot of paperwork involved. But I’m sure it’s not complicated.”

You still have to be able to read the questions and fill in the blanks, Al thought. Who’d give three kids to a guy who can’t fill out a form? “I’m sure I’m not the right kind of guy. I’m not planning on sticking around here long. I like being flexible. You can’t be real flexible if you’re looking out for a bunch of kids.”

“That’s true,” Scott said.

“How long you figure you can hold off the foster home thing?”

Scott just shrugged. “Another week, probably. I understand where they’re coming from, even if it is ridiculous—those boys have been on their own for two or three years and they do a better job running that household than half the adults I know. But when you get down to it, they deserve better. If they’re in a decent home, they can relax and be boys. Maybe it’s the threat of being scattered that keeps ’em in line. Or maybe Justin is just a natural.”

“I think he’s just scared to death,” Al said. “What’s he got besides his little family?”

“Yeah, I know. Well, he might not be eighteen yet but he can probably be emancipated and live on his own. He has a job and is not a student anymore....”

This just sounded worse and worse, Al thought. They could take away his brothers and leave him in that house alone. “Maybe it’ll just be temporary,” Al said. “He’d be able to get his brothers back once he’s legal....”

“Maybe. It’s just that—”

“What?” Al persisted.

Scott turned and looked at him. “The glitch is, in order to qualify as a legal guardian or family foster parent, he has to earn a decent living. I’m not sure his work at the station will keep food on the table. In the middle of all this chaos, their mother is going to pass away.”

“Right,” Al said. But what he thought was, You’re killing me here! How much were those kids supposed to take? He stood up and put his usual ten spot on the counter for his breakfast. “I better think about working. I’ll check on them from time to time, as long as I’m here.”

“I think I speak for a lot of folks when I say, I hope you’re around for a while, Al. You’ve been a good neighbor. Personally, I’d hate to see you go.”

“That’s real nice, Doc. I’m restless, that’s all. I’ve been traveling between three or four jobs for the past thirty years or so. It’s a hard habit to break. But I always come back. Eric is a good employer. I like his shop.”

“That’s good to know,” Scott said. “Thanks for looking in on the boys now and then. If you have any concerns, give me a call.”

“Will do,” he said.

Al went to the station and had a little talk with Eric about Justin and his brothers. Eric was aware of the situation but there was little he could do to help. “I can move him up to full-time. Right now that’s not his biggest problem, though it will be. He told me he’s looking around for a second job. His brothers are in school all day and he’s here at night.... I hate to see a kid so young taking all that on, but most of the family men in this town have to take second jobs. It’s the way we get by, right?”

“I never thought of myself as particularly lucky,” Al said. “I do now.”

“I know what you mean. Listen, I gotta get out of here by six at the latest. Laine’s dad is in town and she’s going to take him back to Boston in a couple of days. He’s showing some signs of...well, getting old and fragile. She doesn’t want him flying alone. And she wants to make sure he gets some checkups once he’s home, so she’s going to take care of that. She’ll be gone awhile.”

“I thought Laine’s father was a doctor,” Al said.

“Apparently they make terrible patients and aren’t too good at taking care of their health. Who knew?”

“No problem, Eric. I’ll be here. Take off earlier. I can manage the station, you know that.”

Eric slapped a hand on his back. “I rely on you a lot, Al. And I appreciate it. I hope you know that.”

Al grinned. “That mean there’s a little something in the Christmas card for me?”