Page 1 of Protecting Silver
Chapter 1
“Dougie,it’s time to wake up now,” Miss Jackie, the teacher, said softly into his ear. They had just lain down and Dougie was having a dream where his new family not only kept him, but also allowed him to get a dog. “Dougie.”
“But, I just fawed asleep,” Dougie groused in his six-year-old voice.
“I know, but you’re wanted in the principal’s office.”
“I didn’t do nofin.”
“I know that too. I don’t know why they want to see you, but Mrs. Stella will walk you down.”
“Okay.” Dougie rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and rose from his sleeping mat in the middle of the room. He went to pick it up, because that’s what Miss Jackie always had them do when they were done with their nap.
“I’ll take care of that, you go with Mrs. Stella.” Miss Jackie pointed to the door, and Dougie headed in that direction. He had only met the other woman once, and that was the day his new mommy and daddy had brought him to school to meet everyone. She was a very nice lady that worked in a big office. The two of them quietly left the room, and walked down to the office that Mrs. Stella worked in. When they entered, Dougie saw a man standing there, and cringed. He thought he’d never have to see his caseworker, Mr. Merrick, ever again. That was what his new big sister said. He didn’t think he’d like having a sister, because,hello, girls were yucky, but Patty was a good sister. She always helped him when he needed it, and even walked him to class. She waited for him after school, and they’d walk to the bus together.
Mr. Merrick took one look at Dougie, placed his hand on his shoulder, and squeezed, but Dougie didn’t react. He knew if he did, Mr. Merrick would yell at him. One time he even hit him when he cringed and tried to get away. He’d learnt not to show the fat man any fear. Dougie knew in his mind that he shouldn’t refer to Mr. Merrick as ‘the fat man’, but he was fat. He was so fat that when he turned the steering wheel in the car, it rubbed against his stomach. Mr. Merrick told Mrs. Stella thank you, then he gripped Dougie by the scruff of the neck, and guided him out of the office, then out of the building. He opened the back seat of a car, and shoved Dougie inside.
“Where are we going? I have to get my things.”
“No, you’ll get new ones. Your foster parents called this morning and said that they didn’t want you to come home after school today, but they didn’t want to tell you. They wanted me to tell you.”
“That’s a lie, because my new mommy said she’d see me when I got home from school.”
“That may be, but your new daddy called me personally, and told me he was losing his job, and couldn’t afford you anymore, that you are too expensive to have around. He didn’t want to be embarrassed, so he asked me to come get you.”
“Where are you taking me?” Dougie folded his little arms around himself, and held on tight.
“To a new foster home.” That was the only thing Mr. Merrick would say, and Dougie stared out the window, mentally telling himself that he wouldn’t cry. They drove for what seemed like hours. It was almost dark when they pulled into a driveway, and Dougie sat in the car while Mr. Merrick went to the door. The little boy frowned when Mr. Merrick took an envelope from the woman, and he pulled out a stack of cash and counted it. Dougie had never seen that much money before. Mr. Merrick put the envelope inside his jacket in a pocket, then came and grabbed Dougie out of the car. After dragging him forward, he pushed him so hard, that Dougie fell to his knees.
“Don’t hurt him!” the woman screamed, and rushed forward to see if Dougie was okay. Mr. Merrick left, then the woman gathered Dougie to him, and sat them both down on the front steps leading to the house. “My name is Sally Albert, and I’m going to be your new foster mother. Can you tell me your name?”
“Dougie Atwal.”
“Is your real name Dougie, or is it Douglas?”
“Douglas.”
“That’s what I’ll call you then. If you listen to me and follow all the rules, then we shouldn’t have any problems. If you don’t follow the rules, I’ll have to call Mr. Merrick and have him come back to get you. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“I do.” Douglas nodded, then followed his new foster mother inside. Over the next two years, there was only one incident where he didn’t follow the rules, and sure enough, Mrs. Albert called Mr. Merrick, and he was taken away again. This time, his new foster family was mean, and he was beaten at least once a week. This time Dougie called Mr. Merrick himself, and said if he didn’t come and get him, he’d run away. He was placed with another family right away. This one turned out to be a good family. They even moved to a different state, but by the time Dougie had turned twelve, his new family was getting a divorce, and neither of them wanted custody of Douglas. During the court hearing, Douglas asked to speak with the judge privately.
“What’s on your mind, son?” the judge asked several hours later, once it had been cleared for him to talk to Dougie.
“I’ve been in foster care my entire life. I’ve had good parents, and bad ones. I was told I lived in Kansas, but I don’t remember that, and there’s no telling if that’s true or not, but I lived in Colorado, and the family that doesn’t want me moved here. I’d like to make a request, but first I have to tell you, I’m twelve years old, I’m a good boy. I’ve never been in any trouble with the law, or at school. If possible could you send me to a group home, or an orphanage. I finally met someone who is my best friend, and I don’t want to move again. I fear if I go back into the foster-care system, then I won’t be able to see my best friend ever again. After all the heartache I’ve had to endure at people not wanting me, I finally want to stick up for myself, and be able to make my own decision on where I live. I know it’s not easy, because I’m only twelve, but I wanted you to know my wishes before you made your ruling.”
“Thank you for your honesty. Can you tell me who your best friend is?”
The judge watched as the sullen boy before him straightened in his seat, and his whole face showed his joy when he talked about his friend. “His name is Finnegan Larson, but everyone calls him Finn. He lives with his father and mother, and they let me spend the night at their house. I even have my own room there when I do stay, which isn’t very often. Finn and I are best friends, and we do everything together. This summer we went out for a baseball team and we’re good. I’d like to stay in the area to be able to hang out with him, but don’t ask them to take me. I know no one wants me, and I’m okay with that. I just don’t want to be taken away from my best friend.”
“First, thank you for being honest with me. Second, I’ll look into everything, and make my decision soon. This isn’t something to make a snap decision on.”
“I know, and thank you for listening to me. It feels good that some adults care enough to listen. That’s why I want to stay near Finn. His family listens. And they don’t treat me like the help, or look down at me because I’m a foster.” Douglas and the judge shook hands and parted ways.
* * *
Patch jerkedawake when someone gripped his shoulder and shook him. He fisted his hands and barely prevented himself from lashing out. He hadn’t hit someone who woke him from a sound sleep in years, not since that mean foster family, when he’d get beaten if he hadn’t woken when called.
“What?” he growled out.
