So much for any sexy playtime tonight.
###
The next morning, as Jed’s clothes dried, Hazel made sure she put together a fun breakfast of pancakes with raisin eyes and strawberry grins.
Jed’s delight made getting up extra early worth it.
Because Mike had already gone to work for an early morning tennis lesson, just the two of them sat in the kitchen talking.
“Now that we know you’re moving to Pennsylvania, I thought you might like to see it on a map,” said Hazel.She lifted her cell phone and showed him a photo of the United States and pointed out where they were now and where Jed would be going.
“As you can see, you only have to go through Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York to reach Pennsylvania.So, we won’t be that far away.”
“Then I can come in the summer.”
“If everything is fine with your parents,” said Hazel.“But don’t worry.I think it’ll all work out.We all want the best for you.”
“I know,” said Jed, and he caught his lip with a flush of emotion.
Hazel hugged him.“You can watch a little television while I get your things ready for camp.”
###
Later, with Jed in camp and Hazel able to work in her office, she thought of an idea for a Christmas event at the Center—a campaign to raise money for scholarships to the children’s camps.Jed wasn’t the only boy in town who could benefit from that.
While Jed was occupied at the Sports Center with other kids, Hazel left to go home to pack up Jed’s things.When it came time for Lisa to pick him up, Hazel wanted it to be a quick transition.
She was delighted that Jed was going back to Lisa’s family, and they’d work hard to adopt him.It was a loving home.But it was hard to give up the idea of having Jed permanently after preparing herself for it.Though she’d worked with children while teaching, she’d never attached herself to any child as much as she had with Jed.
Mike and Jed came into the house laughing about something.It was wonderful to see them like this.She knew Mike would miss Jed as much as she did.
They were sitting in the kitchen having a snack when Hazel heard the sound of a car outside.She went to the living room window and looked out.It was Lisa and Joe.
She opened the front door and waited for Lisa to leave the car.Then she went to greet her.“Jed is going to be glad to see you.He’s had a good time, but he missed you.”
“I can’t tell you how relieved I am that we finally have permission to take him with us.We’ve bought a house big enough for everyone and will move as soon as we sell our house here.”
Hazel gazed into Lisa’s smiling face, and her eyes misted.“I’m in awe of what you do as a parent.I can’t tell you how much I admire you.”
“Oh, thank you.That’s sweet of you.Don’t worry.You’ll make a fantastic mother someday.”
Arm in arm, they walked into the house.“Jed?”called Lisa.
Jed came running toward them.“You’re here!”
Hazel stepped aside while Lisa and Jed hugged.
“You didn’t leave me,” said Jed, smiling up at Lisa.
Lisa tilted Jed’s chin up so he could look directly at her.“No one is going to leave you again,” she murmured.“You’re very lucky that Hazel and Mike love you, and you can visit them.But your home is with Joe and me and the boys.”
Lisa hugged him, and Jed spent a long time hugging her back.
Mike and Hazel exchanged emotional glances.
“I have Jed’s things ready to go,” said Hazel.“Let me help you carry them to the car.”
She and Mike followed Jed and Lisa to the car.After talking to Joe, Hazel handed Jed’s things inside to him and then stood by the car with Mike.
