Page 93 of Senior

“My love… I’m not above kidnapping you and holding you hostage until you say yes.”

I giggled as I playfully mushed him. “Shut up, Stanley.”

We sat there making conversation about the kids we were going to see today. We had about ten minutes before we could head into the building. There was a meet and greet happening today so we could spend time with our potential child or children. We were open to more than one if there were siblings. When it came time to head in, I took a deep breath and got out of the car as Senior held the door open for me.

Hand in hand, we walked around to the back of the building. I wasn’t expecting the area to look like a big ass park. There were food trucks, ice cream stands, games and activities set up for us to participate it. For the little ones, there was face painting and a bouncy house. Kids were running around everywhere laughing and screaming, just enjoying themselves.

We spoke to the woman in charge briefly before immersing ourselves in the experience. Not so surprisingly, Senior was right in his element. Being that he often took on fourteen grandkids by himself, this was a breeze for him. We walked around for a bit and observed the kids.

A few of the friendly little ones came up to us and introduced themselves. I was a sucker because immediately I wanted to take them all home. My man felt my sentiments. He was all for it when a mixed age group of boys pulled him into a game of basketball.

They were shocked as hell that he could keep up with him. When he crossed up one, the boy’s mouth hung open in disbelief.

“I didn’t think old men could move like that!” he exclaimed.

“Who you calling old!” Senior said, grinning. “This old man just dusted you, young buck.”

“Best two outta three.”

“Bet.”

I shook my head as I sipped on the lemonade I’d grabbed while he played the first game.

“Now he’s gonna be sore later,” I mumbled.

“You two together?”

I jumped as I heard an unfamiliar voice behind me. I turned to see a beautiful young girl that couldn’t have been more than fifteen or sixteen. She was roughly five five, kinda on the skinny side. Her mass of beautiful hair was fashioned in two strand twists and pulled into a half up half down style. Those deep brown eyes looked like they told a story… one rooted in pain.

She wore jeans and a hoodie, as so many of these kids do, imposing upon their weather. Her shoes had seen better days, but I could tell she’d tried to clean them up for today.

“Yes, we are,” I answered. I smiled and extended my hand to her. “I’m Stephanie.”

“Sevyn.”

“Sevyn. I like that. That’s a lucky number.”

She snorted. “I’ve never been lucky, lady.” She took a seat beside me and stared out at the basketball court. “So, you two know what you’re here for, or are you just shopping around?”

“It’s not a transaction, sweetheart.”

“Maybe not for you… but for some. I see a lot of people come through here looking to collect a check. As soon as the kid is more than they can handle, they send them right back.”

“Well… that’s not us. We’re looking for a child to raise and love like our own.”

“You don’t have any kids?”

I smiled. “I have several, although only one biologically.”

I pulled out my phone and showed her a picture of our extensive family.

“Dang, it’s a lot of y’all. Why do you want another kid?”

“Initially, the house was too lonely, and I was searching for something to fill the void. Truthfully, I love being a mother and grandmother. It’s one of my greatest joys in life. Nothing makes me happier than taking care of the people I love.”

“Hmmm.” She looked out at the court again.

“How old are you and how long have you been here?” I asked.