I intended to find out what.
—
Denise made calls.
Eventually, Emma’s adoptive parents agreed to speak.
Their names were Rachel and David.
They wanted to proceed carefully.
Denise suggested letting the adults work things out first.
I stared at her.
“The adults have been deciding what those two children can handle for four years.”
She went quiet.
“And what did that accomplish?”
A box of unanswered letters.
Ten failed placements.
Two children each believing the other had forgotten them.
“I’m not asking for anything reckless,” I said. “Make it supervised. Bring professionals. Put every safeguard you want in place.”
I leaned forward.
“But if Luke wants to see Emma and Emma wants to see Luke, then let those two children finally have some say.”
After a long silence, Denise nodded.
“I’ll make some calls.”
Eventually, everyone agreed.
—
On the morning of the meeting, Luke almost backed out.
