In spite of her revelation, after Crystal departed I had a growing sense of paranoia. I had faith in her, but none in the system. I knew the police and child services could throw up roadblocks at this point. Then there was the hospital to contend with. That evening I had a mild fever, which led to the doctors thinking about keeping me longer. My 4 times daily "observations" were stepped up to hourly. The nurse would come to take my temperature and pulse every hour. I drank a lot of water. Too much I think, before they noticed what I was up to. My reasoning was, plenty of fluids would lower my fever. Shortly before visiting hours commenced, my doctor decided they'd wait until morning. If my temperature wasn't normal by then I was staying in. That was a kick in the nuts. My fluids were being rationed.
In all the time I'd been there I'd had a total of 4 visitors. Four more than I'd had when I'd been rescued from the Rockies. A policewoman, Chloe and her mom, plus Crystal. Therefore I was surprised to see 3 of the 4 enter my room that evening. That stirred up suspicions. I was looking for reasons things would go wrong again. Wrong seemed to be my default setting. Chloe climbed up on the bed, where she gave me a big wet kiss. Before seating herself next to me. The other two visitors were of course Chloe's mother and Ms Goodbody. The two of them curiously friendly. To me at least. Two women. One of whom had killed the other's ex. Both of them were smiling at each other and me though.
"See what I mean." Mrs Martins held her hands as though showing a great view or beautiful object. "Chloe never speaks to anyone except Crystal and me. At least she never used to. Now it's hard to stop her talking."
I'd made a lifelong friendship. I look upon it as my first ever. As such I treasure it. Chloe and I remain in touch to this day. At least once a month we exchange emails
"Of course you know, according to Indian custom, having saved her life, Chloe is your responsibility from now on." Crystal added solemnly.
"Is that true?" I asked.
"I've got no idea. You palefaces stole my people's land's, our oral history and our culture. Just messing with ya. It's a myth. Based on an old Chinese proverb I think. Nothing to do with Native Americans."
The two women did most of the talking from that point on. I wasn't being excluded, I didn't have a lot to say. Chloe fell asleep about halfway through. Her mother scooped her up, wincing. Crystal asked if she was okay and if she needed a hand. The offer was declined. She'd wait in the car for Ms Goodbody to drive her home. That set off some alarm bells. From their nonverbal cues I got the impression Crystal had something to talk to me in private about. That couldn't be good. I'd had a run of good luck. It was bound to come to an end. She watched them leave I tried hard not to imagine what the problem was. The one which would mean her hospitality towards me had ended. She'd been standing all this time. When she pulled up a chair next to the bed and sat down, my heart dropped into the same chasm as my stomach did. When she took my hand, it was all I could do not to beg her to reconsider.
"I need to talk to you about something really important Luke. It's important to you and to me. I need you to consider this very carefully. I've spent the last few days going over this and it's a big decision for both of us."
She was looking at me expectantly. I didn't know what she was expecting. The only thing I could think of was her explaining why I couldn't live with her. Why she wouldn't be collecting me tomorrow. Ever the pessimist, I waited for the ax to fall. Knowing in my heart it was what I'd always expected.
"Okay." I responded emotionlessly.
This was going to hurt far more than any of the physical stuff. A mere stab wound paled into insignificance. She took some time steeling herself. Oddly this made me feel a tiny bit better. At least she wasn't eager to be rid of me.
"Would you like to stay with me longer term?" Came the hurried babble.
She looked proud of that. I couldn't process it. Honestly I had no idea what she'd just said. I was already dealing with a rejection. A well deserved one on my part. I'd been nothing but trouble. She was still looking at me, only now with a nervous expression. I shook myself out of the funk I was in.
"Sorry Ms Goodbody, what did you just say?"
This time she spoke slowly and deliberately.
"I was wondering if you'd like your placement with me to become permanent. As permanent as any fostering can be."
There had to a flaw there somewhere. There must be a long list of new caveats to go along with the dozen or so Child Protective Services had issued.
"Yes please Ms Goodbody. There's nothing in the world I'd like better than to stay with you permanently."
It had to be a trick or a trap. I still couldn't wrap my head around this. Not after the torment I'd been responsible for putting her through.
"It's not a done deal. The CPS are going to take a lot of persuading. I'll do my best to make it happen for us Luke."
Her fragile smile reflected my own. I don't think hers made her face ache. I could take it. But only for a few thousand years.
"Thank you Ms Goodbody. I'll do my best as well. I don't care how many times they beat me I'll..."
"No. That's not happening. I'm not putting you through that again Luke. It's time for me to stand my ground. To stick up for you."
A vague discomfort evident on her face. Not at me. At herself. This was strange to me. Partly because I was used to making people feel uncomfortable, but mainly because I knew there was no reason for her to feel like that. The nurse came in to check my vitals again. 98.6 was now my favorite number. As long as there was no change I'd be going home tomorrow.
I was so excited that night I could barely sleep. Eventually I did drift off into slumberland. I nervously endured the observations next morning. Temperature normal. I was up out of bed, but I kept my activities to a minimum. Intent on ensuring nothing I did would ruin things. The day dragged until 2:30. She was late. I got up and paced. That's right a 12 year old pacing the floor. It turned out she'd arrived on time. It was the hospital side of things which caused the delay. I was wheeled out the doors at 2:45. That 15 minutes lasting forever. Even the embarrassment I faced on departure couldn't lessen the joy I was experiencing. As I left a small crowd applauded me. It was the H word again. I even had a police escort. Two of the attending officers had shown up for my farewell. Some medical staff and the Martins' were there as well. Boy was my face red as I was loaded into that old Cherokee. Muttering a short prayer my savior started the engine. I suppose it would have been embarrassing for her as well if she'd had to resort to the tire iron to get it going. When it chugged into life, she glanced at me with a relieved grin.
We lapsed into silence. My hands were sweating for some reason. I wiped them on my legs frequently as the journey unwound. I couldn't understand why this woman cared about me enough to put her dream at risk. I don't think she could either. We hadn't exactly seamlessly clicked together. Let's be generous and say that on some level we'd connected. Then let's be factual, it was all due to her. The angel who'd cradled my head on her lap as I lay wounded. And though I don't believe in a God, there's a part of me that still believes somehow my parents led me to her and her to me. It was unlike me. I will have to put it down to nerves. I was the one to break the silence. I believe she did it intentionally. To draw me out. To return me to human a step at a time.
"I'd like to thank you Ms Goodbody. I don't take what you're doing lightly."
"Luke, I think you can call me Crystal from now on." She arched her eyebrows at me.
I grinned.
"Only if you call me Lu..."
She chuckled at the amazement on my face. I hadn't even noticed at this point. I'd gone from being the kid, to being Luke. Another small step perhaps. She'd rendered me speechless. That may seem paradoxical given I'd spoken infrequently. It's still true.
"Well look at that. I've bamboozled a genius." She quipped.
"I feel blessed." I responded.
"Thank you Luke. It's great to know. You're a rarity among men. Low maintenance. Very easily impressed and simple to please."
The conversation didn't flow. There were a few exchanges. Only now she initiated most of them. The best day of my life, despite all my qualms, was about to get even better. There isn't a superlative to adequately describe what happened next. As soon as we entered our home, Crystal took me to my room. The sight of which took my breath away. While I'd been in hospital she'd said she'd kept herself busy. Now I viewed the evidence it became an understatement. My bare utilitarian room had received a makeover. There on the door was a hand carved sign with my name on it. She'd made me a desk with everything set for my laptop. Repainted the walls and ceiling. Even put down a carpet. That still doesn't describe it. I cannot do so adequately. Suffice to say it felt like a new space. Bigger, better and with a glow that dazzled me.
I spent the next hour admiring her skilled craftsmanship. Crystal might not be the best carpenter or joiner in the state, but her eye for what looked spectacular was unrivalled. I was bubbling away with what I'm going to call happiness. Running my fingers across the lines of the fitted furniture. She'd thought of everything. My debt to her had grown exponentially. To the point where I might have to become immortal in order to have sufficient time to repay the generosity. The precious gift of permanence. I was indeed home. For the first time ever.