Page 25 of Crimson Flames

“My power to choose.” His answer is immediate. He’s been thinking about this.

“Kai, I am here to give you that power, but also to help guide you in making choices that will help you heal.”

I don’t want him to believe I’d manhandle him into a car simply because I don’t agree with him being here.

“Guide me how?” At least he’s making eye contact now, even if it is laced with skepticism.

“Are you afraid I’ll make you go back to the house with the other children?”

He nods.There, that’s sorted at least.

“Why is that?”

Kai rubs his hands on his pants before answering. “Because I want to be here.”

“Yes, I can see that. You’re quite devoted to her. Would you care to share why that is?”

Blowing out a breath he leans over the table, putting his head in his hands. “Nessa is the first person to ever make me feel safe. Thefirstperson. I don’t remember my mother, but I remember the foster parents that treated me like trash and as a live-in babysitter. I’m just not ready for that feeling to go away.”

“Are you afraid that without her that you won’t feel safe again?”

He shrugs noncommittally in typical teenage boy fashion.

“How old are you, Kai?”

“What month is it?”

Bollocks, none of them probably have any idea how long they’ve been away.

“It is the thirtieth of August.”

“Then I’m thirteen. I’ll be fourteen next month.”

I sit and think about that for a minute. It seems that Kai has been through even more than I imagined. I’m guessing that it will be the same story most of the other kids carry.

Now I wonder if they’re all foster kids. Since not many foster parents fight for these kids, it’s much easier to trick the system and blame it on the kid being a runaway.

“Why aren’t you saying anything, doc?”

I snort a laugh, leaning forward to mimic his posture.

“I’m trying to think of what you would be doing if you had never been taken.”

He shakes his head, sitting back in his chair.

“I’d probably be taking care of some foster kids. Same as always. It’s basically been my job since I can remember.”

“It shouldn’t have been.” When he looks away, I explain more. “Your job should have been to have fun and enjoy age-appropriate things.”

“Yeah, well, foster care says otherwise.”

Kai reminds me a lot of Nessa. Quick to act but slow to speak. Guarded, yet wears his emotions on his sleeve. I could see why he feels drawn to her because they’re so similar.

“Where do you want to be right now, Kai?”

“Here. Please.” The way he pleads has me smiling because he thinks I call the shots somehow. Sometimes I do, but it is very rare that I ever have to. I give this family the information they need to heal and in turn they respect my advice.

“You don’t need my permission. My job is just to talk to you. Your job is to make choices based on our conversation. Now, when Nessa leaves, or when you need a break to shower and eat, how would you like to do that?”

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