Author Anon

“It’s going to be a busy day,” says Michael, “and I know we don’t have much time to talk, but we need to discuss Lucas’s future.”

Amanda glances at her watch. “Now? I’ve got to get him ready and over to my parents’.”

“How long do you think Child Services will leave him alone?” asks Michael. “What if they go over there and take him?”

“Do you think they will?”

Michael shrugs. “Maybe. Do you want that to happen?”

“Of course not. But what can we do?”

Michael smiles. “Now that we’ve passed the first step, we need to take the second. Remember, you said that if you agreed to marry me, then we can decide what to do about Lucas.”

“But I thought you didn’t want him.”

“I didn’t. But I do feel for him.”

“I’m not sure adopting him would be the right decision,” says Amanda. “After all, we haven’t even started our life together, yet. How can we possibly think about having a family?”

Michael smiles again. “It didn’t even cross your mind last night?”

Amanda blushes. “You know what I mean.”

“Yes. And I agree with you. But in the meantime, what becomes of Lucas?”

“Why are you so anxious about him all of a sudden?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps it’s guilt I felt when I saw him crying. It was like I was telling him he was unwanted.”

“So, you decide to adopt him to appease your guilt.”

“No. Not adoption. Maybe we can provide a foster home for him for a while. Until things can be decided.”

“He might not be able to let go after that,” says Amanda.

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“Hello, darling,” says Carl. “What’s been happening?”

“Carl,” says Melanie. “We need to talk.”

“What’s wrong? Trouble in paradise?”

“I’m scared. I think someone’s trying to scare me.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know. This house is starting to get creepy.”

“Wanna go somewhere to talk?”

“Yes. Meet me downtown. The girls are opening a shop. I’m sure they’ll be glad to see you.”

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“So, this is your joint?” asks Ashley.

“It will be soon,” says Mark. “Like it?”

“Not bad,” says Ashley.

“Come this way,” says Mark, leading her to the back. “I’m thinking of taking a couple of these tables out and putting a little stage. If we extend business hours we can have some entertainment for early evening.”

“Do you think it’ll work?”

“I guess it depends on the entertainment. I have to take things one step at a time. I don’t expect to be an overnight success. I know I have to work at it. So, what’ll you say? Are you in?”

Ashley smiles. “It’s a possibility.”

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“Your honor,” says Mr. Stickle. “I’ve received three requests to provide foster care for Lucas Golde.”

“And what seems to be the problem?” asks Judge Wright.

“None of them have ever been in the foster program. The paperwork will take some time to go through. In the meantime, we have no place for him, except in the children’s home.”

“Where is he staying right now?”

“At Dr. Amanda Steele’s house.”

“Is he happy?”

“He seems to be.”

“Is she okay with him staying, even temporarily?”

“Yes,” says Mr. Stickle. “In fact, she is one of the petitioners.”

“Well, then, let him stay awhile. Until the matter is sorted out.”

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Filed under: All That Glitters