“You know, I care a lot about you, kid.” He seemed to be struggling to get the words out, so I gave him the time he needed. “I mean, I more than care about you. I love you like you were my own. I hope you know that.”
I didn’t know that, but relief filled me, knowing that someone loved me. I wasn’t sure what I felt for Alec and Florrie. I knew that I really liked being here with them, and I didn’t want to leave. But I wasn’t sure I knew what love felt like.
“You know, I grew up in foster care. My parents were dead and I moved around a lot,” he said, clearing his throat. “The hardest part was not knowing if there was someone out there that wanted me. I want you to know that Florrie and I want you more than anything, but these people, the Fullers want you too. I’ve checked them out and they’re good people, so I don’t want you to be scared about meeting them. I would never let you be around someone that was going to hurt you. Okay?”
I nodded, and I believed Alec. He was a good guy. But I also knew that Florrie didn’t want me to go with these people. She was upset with Alec, because I guess he had something to do with helping them or something. I didn’t want them to fight though. I knew that Alec and Florrie were going to get married, but now they just seemed angry with each other all the time, and I knew it was all because of me. I didn’t know what I could do to make this easier on them, but it seemed like no matter what I did, one of them would be upset.
“Alright, kid. Let’s go meet them.”
I followed him out the door into the main part of the suite. Florrie was scowling at Alec as he walked out, but as soon as she saw me, she smiled big, like she didn’t want me to be upset.
“Hey,” she said with too much cheer. “Are you ready to meet your aunt and uncle?”
I nodded again. I was too nervous to answer. I followed them out of the suite and out of the panic room toward the main building. I tried my best not to fidget as we approached the conference room, where Cap had agreed we could all meet. From where I stood outside the room, I could see that they were older than my mom. They looked kind as they stood there, watching me and waiting for me to go in. I took a deep breath and walked through the door.
“Reid,” the woman smiled. “My name is Linda. I was your father’s older sister, and this is my husband, Charles. It’s so nice to meet you.”
I nodded, but didn’t say anything. I glanced behind me, looking for Alec and Florrie, but they stood just outside the door, like they wanted me to do this on my own. I didn’t know what to say or do. Was I supposed to just sit and talk with them? Was I supposed to go somewhere with them?
“Do you want to sit down and talk for a little bit?”
“Sure.”
I walked forward and sat at the table, making sure not to sit too close to them. Alec peeked his head through the doorway, giving me a reassuring smile. “Hey, bud, we’ll be down the hallway. Just come find us when you’re done.”
They walked away, leaving me alone with the Fullers. I knew that I didn’t have a choice in this. Florrie had told me that this was court-ordered.
“So, Reid, I’m sure you don’t know anything about us. The last time we saw you was when you were a baby. I’m sorry we weren’t there for you when your mother died. We were going through a bit of a crisis at the time and we didn’t actually know that she died until a couple of months ago. It took us some time to find out where you were.”
“It’s okay,” I said, shrugging it off.
“So, is there anything you want to know about us?”
“Where do you live?”
“We live in Utah, near Salt Lake City. You have a few cousins in the area, a few around your age, and I know they’re excited to meet you. And your grandfather is still alive, but he’s got Alzheimer’s, so he doesn’t really remember us anymore.”
“So, I have more family than just you two?”
“Yes, when we told them about you, they were all very excited to get to meet you.”
“If you’re my dad’s sister, why haven’t I seen you since I was a baby?”
My aunt looked away and smiled tightly. “Your stepfather thought it would be best to have a clean slate in your new life. So, when he married your mother, he forbade her from seeing anyone from your father’s side of the family. It wasn’t our choice not to see you.”
I wanted to believe her. It was kind of cool to think that I had family out there, and that they wanted to get to know me. But then I thought of Florrie and Alec, and wondered how I could just leave them. They had done everything for me. But sitting here with these people, I couldn’t help but want to know more.
“Will you tell me about them?”
Linda smiled and relaxed back in her chair. For the next hour, she told me all about this family that lived out in Utah. And before I knew it, Alec and Florrie were standing back in that doorway, looking at me expectantly.
CHAPTER TWENTYFlorrie
I paced the small office down the hallway from the conference room. Alec was sitting on the couch, leaning forward on his knees and watching me pace. I knew he was nervous, but he hid it so much better than I
