Page 31 of Beyond Perfect

“Ms. Shepherd, will you escort Frankie and Freddie back to his cabin?”

Her jaw dropped. She couldn’t believe he was dismissing her.

“What are you going to do about Freddie?”

“He can go with you too. But I have to contact DFS that he’s been found. They’ll want custody of him right away.”

“Can we talk afterward?” Maisy asked.

“No. I can’t allow you to affect my decision.”

“Fine. Goodbye, Mr. Kane.”

He swallowed hard. “Goodbye, Ms. Shepherd.”

Halfway to the cabin, Frankie stopped. “Ms. Shepherd, I don’t care what they do to me, but I gotta protect Freddie.”

“He’ll go to emergency foster care.”

“Been there, done that.”

“What do you suggest?”

“Take him home. Let him stay with you.”

“Frankie, I…” She was about to say she couldn’t, but actually, she could.

“You call those people and ask if you can keep him.”

““All right. I’ll take him home until they can find some loving parents for him.” She squatted. “Want to come with me, Freddie?”

The kid looked really scared. “Yes ma’am.”

They got to the cabin and Frankie said, “I’m gonna go to juvie, aren’t I?”

“Truthfully, Frankie, I don’t know.”

“At least Freddie will be happy.” He gently socked the boy in the arm. Freddie threw himself at Frankie. As they hugged, Maisy battled back her tears.

* * *

After he calmed himself, and erased the memory of hurt from Maisy’s eyes, Jackson headed over to the cabin. Half expecting her to still be there, he knocked on the door.

Frankie said, “Yeah, I’m here.”

Jackson walked inside and looked around. “Where’s Freddie?”

“Ms. Shepherd took him home. She’s gonna apply to keep him as emergency foster care until they can find somebody else.”

“What? She has no right to do that.”

“What’s the matter with you, Mr. Kane? It’s the best thing for Freddie.”

“It’s against the—”

“Rules, I know. I guess it doesn’t matter what’s best for us kids.”

“It does, Frankie.”

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