Seven Steps To You

h rage as I stepped back, creating a

s voice pleading.

secretary." A lump formed in my thro

holding my shoulders, he continued. "You caught us at the wrong momen

es with the back of my hand. "You have

d expression. "I love you, but you

. "The only person you love is your

by it, my body shaking as I broke into a sob,

jacket. I took a deep breath, pushing away

rbs of Seattle. I loved my job as a social worker, and inspections like this one were

manager, greeted me without her usual warm sm

ling out my clipboard and my pen

o, aged six, was sitting in front of the

ith a bright gap-toothe

ine entertainment TV has

onfused look and s

ked through my list as I glanced through the fridge contents. The sound of a ball boun

froze. "Uh-uh, take it outside,

rowned.

Jay. Annabeth played hula hoops with Daphne and Millie in the ba

, as usual. Thank you for making my

. "Christine, can I talk to y

o the office. But as I sat behind her desk, Glad

just kidding.' "Oh God, Gladys." I gave a nervou

d the doctor. Damn the man says I have about six months to get

e for her age, but I suddenly noticed her cheerfulness was

s know about..

hroom, called nine-one-one. Listen, you know my kids don't par

be a problem; group homes were in shortage..

the system. You can't let them be separated; they're a fami

pt from my seat, my pulse racing, as I rushed to her si

d her sit on the leather sof

s of water and

ties. They'll be together," I said, sitting next

ith precision. "Or

mith's words sank in. "You're sugges

o care for them than someone who already loves them like family? I've watched you in

e tears, the quiet moments of connection. I had grown to love them, but tak

know if I'm qualified," I st

ing the permanent manager would change my life, but I

"I put my faith in you, Fra

everything I ca

I knew I could count

outside. How would they cope without her? Six