Eric felt out of place as he walked into the dining room. He wasn’t used to this kind of living situation. He kept waiting for a burst of noise and loud voices to sound from the hallway. Or for Mrs. Laje to waltz into the room to lecture about something or other that none of the kids wanted to confess to. He found it strange to be surrounded by so many nice things like beautifully crafted glass vases full of flowers and a china cabinet.

There was a high chance those things would have ended up broken if left out too long at the orphanage. Eric knew most people wouldn’t think this was a big deal. But growing up surrounded by thirty to forty children at any given time, this experience was something else. He couldn’t believe Susan felt confident enough to have glass vases out on display with two children under the age of ten running around. Not to mention the setup of the dining room.

The plates and cups sparkled under the light. The highbacked wooden chairs looked elegant and the cream tablecloth spoke of a world he’d never been part of. In his desire to leave, he didn’t think about the deeper changes his life would undergo after joining Roth’s family.

This was the first time he wouldn’t have to ask permission to use the kitchen, or stay up late because he needed to finish his homework. He was free to watch TV in the living room without fear of interrupting an introduction between potential matches. He didn’t have to watch over a horde of children or worry about following a list of rules.

However much Eric wanted to enjoy this moment of freedom, he couldn’t. He was starting to feel overwhelmed. What did people do with so much time on their hands? Was he actually allowed to explore the neighborhood and bring friends over if he made any? None of this felt real. How could this be his reality? He was on pins and needles, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

He greeted Susan with a little more politeness than necessary because he was feeling the stark contrast between the orphanage and this house.

Some of his anger dissipated during the tour Kayden gave. Eric was a little upset he couldn’t hold onto that anger. He needed something to fill the void he felt ever since the day he returned to Mrs. Laje. There was an emptiness inside him he could never seem to get rid of.

He didn’t want to ruin his second chance because he was being petty. It wasn’t Kayden’s fault for being adopted, or for not recognizing him because he wasn’t a child anymore. Roth went out of his way to take him in and provide a safe space. It would be childish of Eric to reject everything due to his own misunderstanding of his friendship with Kayden.

He might as well do what he said he would and start fresh. If letting go of his prior friendship with Kayden was the only way for him to move forward, Eric decided it wasn’t a terrible loss in the long run. He would gain so much more in return.

Roth entered the room with Angela and Sam hanging from his arms. The two girls squealed with delight as they were lifted up and down on the way to their seats. Susan followed after, carrying a few dishes.

Eric asked, “Would you like some help?”

Susan shook her head. With an expert hand, she placed the dishes on the table and left to get more. Her lack of an actual response made Eric uncomfortable. He’d rather she give him a straight answer to keep things clear.

“Don’t feel bad, Eric,” Kayden reassured, amusement coloring his voice. “I got the same reaction when I asked years ago. It’s best to let her spoil you.”

Eric figured there was more to it based off the emotions that flashed across Susan’s face when he asked. It was hard for him to pinpoint those exact feelings since he had only met her hours before. Nodding, Eric turned his attention to Roth after hearing him chuckle.

“My wife is a little funny when it comes to her cooking. I’ve spent the past thirty years trying to help and she’s turned me down every time. Like Kayden said, it’s best to let her spoil you.”

A small smile lifted Eric’s mouth just as Susan returned with pitchers of iced sweet tea and pineapple juice. He wasn’t sure if he liked being kicked out of the kitchen. He was rather fond of cooking; baking in particular.

Kayden leaned close and whispered, “Don’t worry; we’ll have plenty of time to cook later this week when Mom goes back to work. I remember we used to cook a lot, back then.”

An old memory surfaced of him and Kayden cooking in the kitchen at the orphanage. He didn’t remember what they were making, only the warm feelings. He had forgotten how much he enjoyed his time there as a child. Unfortunately, feelings weren’t enough to override the misery of his return years later.

Eric learned a few things during dinner. Angela sat next to Sam, occasionally whispering in the younger girl’s ear. He was surprised when Sam leaned close to Angela and whispered back. She hadn’t said a word since his arrival earlier in the afternoon.

Roth seemed content with the silence, only asking Kayden a few questions about work and how his day went. Susan didn’t care for help, having dinner set and served in a timely manner. Kayden, much like Roth, enjoyed the silence while waiting until Susan sat down so they could eat. He wondered if this was the norm for family dinners.

After everyone had food on their plate and a good portion of it eaten, Eric found himself at the center of attention.

“So, Eric,” Susan began, “I’m not one to be gentle when I’m dealing with someone who’s almost an adult. I’ve read your file but I’d rather hear it from you.”

“Mom—”

“Don’t interrupt, Kayden.”

“But you said earlier—”

“Kayden, stop, please. Let him answer me.”

He gestured towards Angela and Sam. “They shouldn’t be here for this.”

“Are you telling me how to parent?”

Kayden’s exasperated sigh was loud. “Some things shouldn’t be spoken about at the dinner table.”

“Stop interrupting.” Susan turned her attention back to Eric.

He squirmed under her gaze. Eric knew what she wanted to ask. But why did she have to ask in the first place if she already knew everything? All accounts with that family were well documented. She shouldn’t need him to recount anything after reading his file.

“Why were you sent back to the orphanage when you were thirteen?” Susan’s voice demanded an answer.

It was an answer Eric wasn’t ready to give. Besides, she already knew the reason! Sweat formed on his hands and a slight tremor was beginning to settle over his body. He didn’t want to explain how he finally got the courage to turn in those monsters…or what prompted that courage.

“Eric,” Susan stated, firmer, “you’re going to be living with us from now on. I’m not worried about my son. But my daughters’ safety comes first. Why were you sent back?”

Fear and panic danced along the forefront of Eric’s mind as he tried to speak—to say anything that would make her stop questioning him. His fork and knife clattered to the table. His hands started shaking.

“That’s enough,” Kayden interrupted. “If you’ve read his file don’t force him to relive his past, Mom. You won’t be doing anyone a favor. He’s not a danger to Angela or Sam. You know that as much as I do.”

Susan huffed. “I may have been lenient with you, Kayden, but I will not tolerate a threat to my girls. A person’s past has a funny way of returning when you least expect it.”

Eric’s shoulders sagged forward.

Shame washed over his body.

“Mrs. Laje wouldn’t have cleared him for adoption if he wasn’t ready.” Kayden struggled to maintain his composure.

“You weren’t cleared for adoption when Roth took you in.” Susan snapped. “It almost cost my husband his job three years ago. Eric will answer my questions. If he doesn’t, I’ll send him back.”

Eric flinched at her words. He was even more surprised by Kayden’s reaction.

“Like hell you will!” he yelled, slamming his silverware down on the table. “Eric was cleared for adoption. Our situations aren’t the same. I made myself very clear when you adopted me. If you take someone in to care for as your own, you never, and I mean never give them back. Should you choose to do so, I will flag you as unfit.”

Susan’s nostrils flared with rage. “You will do no such thing.”

“You have no reason to send him back. His reaction to your questions should be enough proof he faced a traumatic experience and can’t talk about it yet. I have the authorization to flag you and don’t think for a second I won’t because you’re my mother.”

Susan glared at Kayden a moment longer before looking at Roth. “I want him to answer my questions. I don’t trust him.”

Roth sighed and met Kayden’s determined stare. “Susan does have a point, son. You also had to answer any questions we had. I’ll give him until the start of the school year. Until then, we should get along.”

Kayden’s nose twitched. “Unbelievable. Both of you read his file. Do you have any idea how much of a hypocrite the two of you are? He’s not a danger to anyone in this house. And we have no reason not to trust him. It’s only been a handful of hours since he got here! You do realize what it means to adopt, don’t you?”

Roth rubbed his eyes. “He’s going through the same trial and error as you did.”

Eric let out a harsh breath as he tried to understand what this meant. That isn’t what he understood from Roth’s and Mrs. Laje’s conversation. What did Roth mean by going through the same trial and error? Could he be sent back if he failed? He looked up at Kayden and was shocked to see so much anger on his face.

“Legal guardians,” Susan interjected, “he didn’t want to be adopted.”

“Adopting and becoming a guardian are one in the same, in my opinion. The responsibilities don’t change. Legal implies the court paperwork has already processed. So why are you talking about sending him back?” Kayden paused, giving them time to contradict his words. When they didn’t, his body tensed, full of anger. “I can’t believe this. Especially from you, Mom. After our conversation in the kitchen, I thought you understood where I was coming from. And Dad, to say I’m disappointed is an understatement. Don’t boast about how caring you are only to toss out the child you took under your wing. I don’t have anything to say. To either of you. You know where I stand on the subject. I’ll be getting in contact with the Florida agency to let them know you plan to do a probationary period before the actual adoption takes place. I’d hate for the children to think of this as a safe haven only to get turned away because of a past they can’t control.”

“Very well, son.” Roth exhaled. Eric heard intense sadness ringing through every word. “I suppose you would be breaking the law if you let this slide.”

Kayden pushed away from the table and stood. “I can’t ignore this. I’m flagging both of you. I’ll be in contact with the Florida agency soon. It’s a shame I can’t trust my parents to adopt anymore. Come on, Eric. Let’s go see a movie.”

“You wait just a minute,” Susan protested, “we aren’t done with this conversation.”

“We. Are. Done.” Kayden barked. “Until you and Dad talk about this in more detail, this conversation is over.”

Eric’s eyebrows drew together. He was full of confusion as he stood and followed Kayden to the front door. He was doing his best to keep his tears at bay. Roth hadn’t mentioned anything about his guardianship being a trial.

He was afraid.