"Guess I won't be going to any more auctions or garage sales with Fred," she muttered.

While Dean wanted to appear upbeat about Martha's reunion, honesty made it a difficult task. "Look," he said, "as sad as we are about you leaving, you're going to see your mother-Patsy."

Martha looked up. "How come I don't have a say?"

Dean sighed. "It's out of all our hands. We have no control over what the government does. But remember this; we love you- all of us here, Fred included." He fiddled with his coffee cup. "There, it's been said. Okay? We'd give anything if you could stay with us. But Patsy's your mother. I'm sure she loves you too and she has a right to see you."

"She hardly knows me. She thinks I'm a brat."

"I know you and that's nonsense! You're a sweet kid-the very best-and we care for you. I've never met your mother but I'm sure she loves you too, just as much as we do."

"I'm not as good as you think," Martha muttered. "Sometimes I do bad things." She wiped an arm across her eyes. "Now you can rent my room and make some money."

"Martha, honey. Renting your room is the last thought on our minds!" Cynthia said. "You're not just a boarder here-you're part of our family. Like David said, we love you."

The young girl bowed her head but said nothing.

"Martha, let me explain to you about love." Dean spoke slowly. "It isn't a sometimes thing, and it takes trust and honesty. I can't sit here and tell you how things will work out with your mother. That's something I have no control over. I'd be lying to you if I told you otherwise. But I can promise you I'll do my utmost to offer you a permanent home here for as long as you want it if things don't work out. Understand?" Martha nodded.

"Would you like that?" Cynthia asked.

"I guess so," Martha replied, her voice hardly above a whisper.

"But remember," Dean continued, "your mother has a major say in what happens to you. She's had some tough times, but we can hope for the best with this visit. That's up to other people, not us, but I can tell you we'll miss you terribly and we'd love to have you stay a part of our family." Dean took a deep breath and continued. "I promise we'll always be here for you, Martha. You just have to trust us."

"Patsy'll screw up again and be sent back to the slammer. I know. That's how it is. Then they'll bounce me to some other place in Denver, like Little Orphan Annie. Then she'll get out and try it again-same thing-same result. Only no one ever cares."




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