“When I first moved in, I actually had a plan. Give it a couple months. Then start acting different on purpose.” “But you didn’t.” Tears ran freely down his face now. “I messed up completely.” Despite everything, I very nearly laughed. “Then I started loving you instead,” he said. “How?” “I liked being here with you.” He covered his own face with both hands. “I called you Mom without even meaning to. Then the adoption actually happened, and everybody around me seemed genuinely happy, and all I could think about was that Willa would end up hating me for it.”
I moved around the table and sat down right beside him. “You should have told me sooner.” “I know.” “But you are not going anywhere at all. You’re my son now. Adoption was never some kind of trial period.” His shoulders finally collapsed with relief.
