Adopted Son

“We’ll be there,” Eli and Caleb promised at the same time.

Goodbyes were said and Tuck turned to Beau. “Could I speak to you for a minute?”

“Sure.” They resumed their seats at the table after the others had left.

“I know you’re anxious to get home,” Tuck said, now nervous about what was going through his mind.

“I’ve got a minute for a friend.”

“Congratulations on the new baby. I’m real happy for you and Macy.”

“I know and thanks. We’re excited and nervous.” Beau eyed him. “What’s going on?”

Tuck looked straight at him. “I’d like to adopt Brady.”

CHAPTER THREE

FOR THE FIRST TIME since Tuck had known him, Beau seemed speechless. “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes.” The more he thought about it, the more real the idea became. “Brady needs someone and no one in his family wants him. I’ve always planned to take in kids, so I’ll start a little earlier than I thought. Will you help me gain temporary custody pending an adoption?”

“You know I will. But think about this.”

“I’ve thought of very little else since I saw Brady chewing on a bag of dog food.” Tuck shifted in his chair. “Can you believe that? They bought food for the dogs, but not for the baby.”

Beau grimaced. “Man, that’s awful. I can see how upsetting it would be to find a baby in that situation. But this decision will change your whole life. Are you ready for that?”

Tuck nodded. “I know there’ll be some adjustments, but I really believe I’m ready.”

“Okay. I’ll start on the paperwork tomorrow and call you when I’m ready to file it.” Beau paused.

“What?” Tuck asked, sensing something else was bothering Beau.

“Be prepared for some hard questions from the judge.”

“Like what?”

“Your job for starters. What do you plan to do with Brady during the day?”

“I haven’t thought it through, but by the time the hearing rolls around I’ll have a plan. Mrs. Wiggins lives down the road from me. She’s a retired teacher and now keeps her small granddaughter. She might also be willing to watch Brady. I’ll talk to her. And there’s a small day care two blocks from my office. I’ll check it out, too. I can make this work, Beau.”

Beau played with the paper napkin on the table. “I have no doubt you can. You’re my very good friend and I love you like a brother, but I have to be honest.”

“I wish you would.”

“It’s very difficult for a single male to gain custody of a child, especially one that is not his biologically.”

“So you’re saying I don’t have a chance.”

“I’m saying it will be difficult and I want you to be aware of that. I’ll be behind you one hundred percent, though, making sure the judge knows what an incredible man you are. And what a wonderful father you’d make.”

Tuck relaxed. “Thanks, Beau.”

Beau studied him for a moment. “I don’t suppose there’s a woman in the picture whom I don’t know about.”

“No.”

“What happened to that police officer you were dating?”

Tuck shrugged. “It wasn’t serious.”

Beau lifted an eyebrow. “Is it ever?”

“Not lately.”

Beau leaned back in his chair. “I’ve never questioned your personal life or your life’s choices. That’s your business, but as your lawyer I’ll have to delve deeper. I have to be able to argue convincingly in front of a judge that you, a single male, would be the best parent for Brady Harper.”

“I understand. Ask all the questions you want.”

Beau looked straight at him. “Why do you feel that taking in foster kids is exclusive of marriage and having children of your own? Your adoptive parents were married. I’m not clear on why they didn’t have kids of their own, though.”

“Ma had a miscarriage early in the marriage and the doctor couldn’t stop the bleeding. He ended up doing a total hysterectomy.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“She worked in an office for a while then Pa was asked by the FBI to help nail a firearms dealer from Mexico. When they captured the guy in El Paso, he had his five-year-old daughter with him. He’d kidnapped her from her mother in South Carolina. Pa said the little thing was frightened to death and he became attached to her. He talked CPS into letting him take her home to Ma where he knew she would get special care. Ma kept her for three days comforting her and letting her know she was safe. The mother was so grateful to have her daughter back. Ma said after that she knew what she wanted to do and they helped hundreds of kids over the years, including Eli and me.”

“I’ve heard the stories.” Beau leaned forward. “But I still don’t understand completely why, to you, taking in foster kids is exclusive of marriage and having your own kids.”

“The marriage thing just hasn’t worked out for me.” Tuck twisted his empty beer bottle, knowing he had to share parts of his life for Beau to understand him. “Have you ever seen a two-year-old who’s been hit so hard that his jaw broke into four pieces and punctured his eardrum?”

Beau shook his head.

“Have you ever seen a four-year-old who’s had a pot of boiling water poured over him because he wouldn’t mind?”

Beau winced and shook his head again.

“Have you ever seen a six-month-old baby girl malnourished and with cigarette burns all over her body?”

Beau held up a hand. “Stop. You’re going somewhere with this, so please just get there.”

“Those three cases are vivid in my memory. When the grandmother in Arkansas was finally awarded full custody of the six-month-old, she didn’t even resemble the battered baby that had come to live with us. Ma rocked and sang to her and doctored her burns. Eli and I did, too. She was a laughing, happy child and we were sad to see her go. But there are so many kids like that, Beau. The violence and abuse never stops. I just would feel selfish bringing more children into the world when there are so many who need someone.”

Tuck looked at his friend. “I’ve had these goals of taking in foster children ever since I witnessed how one person can change a life. Ma and Pa did it every day. I learned everything about life from them. I feel its something I have to do. I feel it’s something I need to do.” With his thumb, he peeled the label off the beer bottle. “I like being with a woman just as much as the next guy, but I haven’t found anyone to change my mind—or anyone to share my goals. Eli says it’s a mind-set because of the circumstances of my birth, but it’s much more than that.”

Beau eyed him with a strange look on his face. “You feel very deeply about this.”

“Yes. Brady needs someone and I can be that someone.”