I Adopted My 7 Siblings When I Was 18 So They Wouldn’t Be Separated – Three Years Later, My Youngest Brother Handed Me a Photo Revealing What Really Happened to Our Parents
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
« I suggest you call some family. »
***
A few days later, Ms. Hart from child services sat across from me at our kitchen table with a folder thick enough to ruin my life.
Tommy was asleep on the couch. Lila and Phoebe stood in the hallway, pretending not to listen.
« These children will need temporary placement, » Ms. Hart said.
« Together? » I asked.
She looked down at the folder. That was answer enough.
« No. »
Lila made a small sound from the hallway.
Tommy was asleep on the couch.
I kept my eyes on Ms. Hart. « They just lost Mom and Dad. »
« I know, Rowan, » she said gently.
« No. If you did, you wouldn’t be telling me to split them up like mismatched socks. »
Her face softened. « Rowan, you’re eighteen. »
« I know how old I am. »
« You have no degree and no steady income. According to the paperwork, the mortgage is behind. »
« I can work. I can learn. Just don’t split them up. »
« They just lost Mom and Dad. »
« I mean doing what’s best. »
I stepped closer. « For whom? »
She glanced at the kids, then back at me. « One day, Rowan, you’ll realize love doesn’t make you capable. »
« No, » I said. « But neither does a pearl necklace. »
She left without answering.
I thought that was the worst of it. Then Benji found the photo.
« I mean doing what’s best. »
***
It was almost midnight when he appeared in my doorway with dust in his curls and one sock missing.
« Buddy, it’s late. What are you doing? »
« I was looking for the Christmas lights, Rowan. »
« In April? »
His mouth trembled. « I missed Mom. »
He held out an old photo. « I found this behind the ornament box. »
« What are you doing? »
I took it.
Mom and Dad stood outside the courthouse. Dad had one arm around her, holding her up.
Behind them stood Aunt Denise and Uncle Warren.
Aunt Denise was smiling.
***
I turned the photo over.
Mom’s handwriting nearly split me open.
« If anything happens to us, don’t let Denise take the kids. Our eldest, Rowan, will know what to do.
Marianne. »
« Don’t let Denise take the kids. »
***
« Did Mom know they were going to die? » Benji whispered.
« No, » I said, but my voice shook. « No, buddy. But I think she knew whom not to trust. »
The next morning, I took the photo to Mrs. Dalrymple.
She stared at it for so long that I thought she had not heard me.
Then she sat down.
« Oh, honey. »
My stomach dropped. « You know this picture? »
« I know that day. »
« She knew whom not to trust. »
« What day? »
Her eyes filled. « The day your mama came home and said, ‘If Denise ever gets near my babies, you call Rowan first.’ »
I gripped the back of her kitchen chair. « She said my name? »
Mrs. Dalrymple reached for my hand. « She said you were the only one who loved them without wanting something back. »
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