766 V3 ch1

"I'm happy you found your forever home." Mr. Duncan congratulated me outside the courthouse. He had come to visit us and was officially no longer my caseworker. 

I smiled up at him, happy to see him for once. I had thought long and hard what my life would be like without the Atkins. "Thanks for finding them for me, Mr. Duncan."

He looked surprised, but returned a smile of his own. "It's part of my job, Jake. Seeing a kid end up in his forever home is always the end goal."

"I thought the state is always about reunification?" Noah rolled his eyes. 

Mr. Duncan shrugged, helpless. "We have our guidelines to follow. I do what I can." He shook hands with Mom and Dad. "Mary, Wayne, thanks again for your hard work. Let me know if you guys are interested in fostering again."

Mom looked apologetic. "Probably not anytime soon. Don't cross us off the list, but-" She smiled my way. "We have our hands full at the moment."