Sarah felt her shoulders relax for the first time since she’d dropped her mother at the airport earlier that week.Help.Though she hated to admit it, she could really use some over the next few weeks.
“And I can still return the favor by taking on the kids when you’re working in August,” she assured him, not wanting to be seen as someone who couldn’t hold up her end of a bargain.
Simon’s face broke into a grin.“I was really hoping you’d say that.I took the liberty of grabbing a couple of applications when I came in.How about if we head over there and fill them out?”He pointed to where a pair of volunteers from the rescue center were stationed at the door, available to answer questions.
“I have a caveat,” she said.“I have to go to Ontario in August to see my sister’s new twins once they’re born.I’m not sure I can avoid that trip.”Though she wanted to—avoid it ,that is.Not because she and her sister didn’t get along, exactly.It was more because when she saw her mother and sister together, she was reminded of their strong bond—stronger than the one she had with their mother.Sarah had always been her father’s daughter, and with her father gone, she was reminded of how alone she was now.
“I’m confident we can figure it out,” said Simon, grinning wider still.
Sarah couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm.He seemed nearly as excited as the girls, and she found herself feeling a twinge of excitement too.Better to enter this arrangement with enthusiasm than to be pulled into it.No one liked a wet blanket.The kittens were cute.And, really, how much trouble could a small bundle of fur be?
“Let’s go adopt us a pair of kittens,” he said, beckoning for her to follow him to the front of the store.
“Lead on.”She threw her objections aside.As a lawyer, she knew that once you made a decision to go in a direction, it was best to keep going.Confidence was contagious.And it was also very attractive, she was reminded as she followed Simon, who seemed as confident as one could be that they could adopt this pair of kittens.
When they were done filling out the forms and discussing logistics, they approached the table where Raven Johnson was now sitting.
“Hello again,” she said as they approached.“You were at the presentation at the school last week.”
“Yes.I’m Simon.And this is Sarah.”Sarah nodded at Raven.“When we spoke to you at the school, you mentioned that if we made sure the Tumble Twins would see each other often, we could be considered as their adoptive families.”
“Yes, I did.”She took the forms that Simon handed her and glanced down at them.“I haven’t had anyone come forward looking for a pair yet.”
The girls appeared, as though from air, a moment later.“Hi, Dad.Did you see the kittens?”
Simon turned toward his daughter, and his eyebrows rose.
“Sorry,” Sally said.“I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“Are these the girls who are interested in the kittens?”asked Raven.
“Yes, Dot and Dash,” said Riley.“They’re so cute.”
“They’re a bonded pair,” said Raven, speaking to Riley and Sally as though they were grownups.Sarah appreciated that.“That means they’re used to being together, and separating them too much could be stressful for them.”
“What if we brought them to see each other a lot?”asked Riley.“Sally and I are always together.Grandma says we’re two peas in a pod.”
“Well,” said Raven, looking at Riley very seriously.“That could work.But what if you and your friend here…”
“Sally,” said Riley.“I’m Riley.”
“What if you and Sally fight and don’t want to see each other anymore?”
Riley thought for a long moment.“You mean like a divorce?”
“Yes, I suppose.”
“We would have to do what was right for the cats,” said Riley, looking up at Sarah.“Right, Mom?”
Sarah smiled sadly at Riley, who, she knew, missed her father horribly.“Yes, I suppose you’re right about that.”
“We could do that,” Sally piped up, earning a smile of approval from her father.“We can be grownups.”
“Well, I will take this into consideration,” said Raven.“We’ll take the papers today, and I’ll send you an email by tomorrow evening to let you know our final decision.”She looked up at Simon and Sarah.“This looks like a win-win solution for the twins as well as you.Thank you.”
“Does that mean we get the cats?”asked Riley, looking Raven straight in the eye.The child was like a dog with a bone, and Sarah sighed heavily.
“What this means is that when I go through all the applications we receive today, I will keep you in mind for the twins.Would you still be interested if we found different kittens for you?”
