Harm nodded.One of the first ways to get kicked out of a foster home was to cost them too much.So at one place, he used to walk to school the long way because there was an orchard, and sometimes he could fill up on the fruit on his way to and from school.
Derek leaned closer.“What did you do?”
“I told him that he was to eat all he wanted, and I’d make him more if he was still hungry.”Joe smiled.“Harm ate the entire pizza, and two hours later I made him mac and cheese.Larry and I weren’t rich, but I wasn’t going to starve anyone.After that, he ate plenty, filled out, and grew a foot in a year.”
Harm ate a bite of the pork and lightly touched Derek’s arm, smiling and nodding because it was so good.
“It took a while for him to warm up to us.I think he had to realize that we weren’t going to throw him out or turn our backs on him.Joe and I had already decided that we wanted Harm to be part of our family.So we just determined that we were going to let him see that he was safe with us, and that we weren’t going to give up on him the way some of his previous homes had.He was our boy.”
Derek cleared his throat.“I know it’s probably none of my business, but why didn’t you adopt him?”
Joe bit his lower lip.Harm was interested in this answer as well.“There were a number of factors.Beyond Larry’s health issues at the time, as a gay couple, we were afraid that someone would decide they had an issue with us adopting Harm.You never know.He was living with us, and as long as we didn’t raise a fuss, everyone was too busy to worry about what wasn’t a problem.So we stayed quiet, raised Harm, and did our best for him.We played it safe, and sometimes we wish we hadn’t, but we couldn’t take the chance that he’d get pulled from us and placed somewhere else.”
Harm signed that it was okay.He had known he was cared for, and that was what mattered.
“What did Harm say?”
Derek smiled.“That it was okay and that he knew you loved him.He also says that he felt safe and knew you would look out for him.”
“We were a family,” Joe said, and Harm nodded because they had been and they still were.“This is really good.Could I get the recipe?”
“It’s some mixed greens with a little sweet onion, strawberries, and pecans, with a poppyseed dressing.I found the recipe online and it sounded good.I don’t usually try out new things on company, but I know how Harm likes strawberries, so I figured it would make him happy.”
“They are one of his favorites,” Joe said.Harm ate and was glad that Derek, Joe, and Larry kept up much of the conversation.That way he was easily able to eat without a bunch of interruptions.As it was, he needed his hands to communicate, and he was hungry.
Derek smiled at him from across the table.“You both seem happy,” Joe said.“If I came on a little strong earlier….”
Harm set down his fork, looking at Derek as he picked up his phone.
“I know that there are things you want for Harm, and maybe I don’t fit into that picture.”Derek seemed to be trying to make himself smaller, and Harm sighed.Then he began texting.
“You do fit in,” Larry said before Harm could send a single message.“I think you two fit together better than we thought.Joe and I want Harm to be able to fulfill all his potential.We recognized how smart he was as soon as he came to live with us.We encouraged him, and honestly, we hoped we could figure out a way for him to go to college.He went into the service to help pay for it, and….”
Derek rested a hand on Harm’s.“If he decides that is what he wants to do, then I will help him as much as I can.But it has to be his decision.”Derek smiled.“I think he might have told you that my sister is deaf.Well, one thing I have seen firsthand is how people tend to ‘talk’ over those who are differently abled.So like I said, as long as it’s what Harm wants.He qualifies for a number of benefits, and there are quite a few schools in the area that he can choose from.That is, if he wants to stay here.”Derek swallowed hard and looked down.
Harm understood what Derek was saying and squeezed his hand.
“It’s not our goal to break you up or anything.It’s just that this is Harm’s chance, and we’d hate to see him waste it.”
“I won’t,” Harm yelled, but nothing really came out other than a growl-like sound.Harm snatched up his phone.“I won’t.But I can’t be pushed either.I was in no shape to do anything a few months ago.Maybe I’ll go back to school next fall or the year after.I don’t know what I want to do yet.But I’ll figure it out in my own time.”He sent the message.Joe and Larry scowled, but eventually they nodded.
“Okay.We got the message,” Joe said.
Harm hated being in conflict with them.In the back of his mind, if he yelled or made a fuss, he still wondered if they were going to be angry with him.At heart he was sometimes that same foster kid who was scared to make a fuss or eat too much.
“You know what you want.”
“Thank you,” Harm sent, feeling relieved.
“What do you want to do while you’re here?”Derek asked, and Joe explained their plans to visit friends and travel to Philadelphia for a day.“When do you travel home?”
“On Saturday,” Larry answered.“It’s not the best time, but we have to get back.We have doctors’ appointments on Monday and we can’t reschedule them.”
“Is something wrong?”Harm texted to Joe.“What’s going on?”He knew them well enough to know that a doctor’s appointment wouldn’t stop them from doing anything.They’d reschedule and go on.
Larry had the grace to look guilty.“They did a few tests during my last checkup, and they’re sending me to a specialist to make sure it isn’t anything serious.The doctor said it was a precaution.But this guy is really hard to get an appointment with, so I had to take it or wait another six weeks.”Larry didn’t seem too concerned, but Harm made a note to ask more questions once they were alone.
Derek’s phone began buzzing with messages, and he glanced at it.“Suzanne…,” he said and read the messages before responding quickly.“It seems she’s coming late on Tuesday evening for the holiday weekend.She’s driving down.”Derek smiled at the entire table.“Why don’t you all join us for Thanksgiving dinner?We can have it here and I can do the cooking.”
