Aniya may have been a gossip, but she was always going to keep it real. It was what I liked about her and what made it easyfor me to talk to her. In the professional world, most people were putting on a show, but Aniya was exactly who she showed up as every day, and she didn’t give a damn who didn’t like it.
“You know what? I have to get back to work.” I chuckled as I turned on my heels and walked off from Aniya. I was happy I got a chance to wish all the kids well on their new journeys. I also didn’t mind the glimpse of Sakani’s new dad, but I truly did have work to do.
“Dr. E, hold up. I got somebody I want you to meet.”
Sakani’s voice stopped me in my tracks, and his words almost made me take off running. Of course, he would want me to meet him, but I was in no way ready for an introduction. Not only had I picked today of all days to throw on the first thing I could find, but I also skipped my hair appointment yesterday. This was the busiest time of the year for me, and self-care clearly wasn’t a top priority right now.
“Hey, Sakani. Who do we have here?”
My smile was tight, but I tried my best to look as excited as he obviously was. This was a big moment in his life. The least I could do was play nice for an introduction.
“This is Mr. Stone. He’s going to be my new… dad.”
There was a slight pause before he said the last word. I could tell he was still a little apprehensive, but Sakani was trying. Trying was hard for him.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Stone.” I stuck my hand out for him to shake, and he immediately took it into his. I didn’t know if it was the way he gripped my hand or the smell of his cologne that sent me right back into that lustful daze Aniya was just talking about, but I was there and completely trapped.
“You can call me Stone.”
You clearly look it,I thought to myself. I’d admired Stone’s body from afar, but seeing it up close was even better.
“Nice to meet you, Stone. I’m Dr. Ellis. This is quite a young man you get to take home today.”
Sakani smiled quietly before looking down, as I knew he would. I hoped he knew everything I said about him was true. He was going to do wonderful things in this world, and I couldn’t wait to see it.
“Oh, I know. Thanks for taking care of him while he was here.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. Sakani, remember what I told you.”
“I will, Dr. E. Thanks for everything.”
Sakani fell against me and wrapped his arms around me unexpectedly. I’d never seen him hug or even come close to hugging anyone here. It took me a minute to realize what was happening, but as soon as I did, I hugged him back.
“Go be great, kid,” I said when he finally let go.
I stood in the same spot as I watched Sakani and Stone leave. I didn’t know anything about Stone outside of what was in his file, but I had a feeling his home was the best place for Sakani. I said a silent prayer as they exited the door.
Leavingthe group home with Sakani was already surreal, but pulling up at the crib with him riding shotgun was something else. This morning, I left home as a single man with no kids, and this afternoon, I returned a whole single dad. So many thoughts were running through my mind, but the main one was not failing this kid.
Sakani had seen enough in his short life. When I was looking over his file, I read that he’d witnessed his mother’s boyfriend rape and kill her when he was just four years old. I couldn’t imagine that type of pain.
I was a grown man when my mother left this Earth, and I still had a tough time navigating life after that loss. A quick look at his file told me no one took the time to help him try to figurelife out after losing the most important person in it. Sakani had been with five families and in two group homes since that day, and none of them seemed to stick. Each house probably held its own trauma. I didn’t want to be just another person he had to heal from.
I was nervous as hell giving him a tour around the house because I wasn’t fully unpacked yet. Although I’d been medically retired from the army for over a year, I’d just bought a house in my hometown and was nowhere near done furnishing it. I felt like it was still missing a few things to make it feel like a home.
“This is your room.”
I opened the door and let Sakani walk in first. He stood at the threshold for a second, like he didn’t know if he should walk in or not. I could tell he was just as nervous as I was, scared that we’d do something to fuck it all up.
“Go ahead, man. Set your stuff down.”
Sakani slowly walked in and put his bags on top of the dresser. He looked around the room but still said nothing. I was starting to think he didn’t like it. I should have decorated or bought more furniture.
“I know it’s kind of empty right now, but I wanted to leave space for you to make it your own.”
“Nah, it’s cool. I never really had my own room before.” He shrugged before picking up the shoebox off the bed and turning around to face me. “You bought me shoes?”
“Yeah, I wanted to get you some more stuff, but I didn’t know what all you needed. Do you need anything else?”
