Cries of the Children(20)

Eric leaned forward, folding his hands on the desktop.

“Just a question,” he said. “Doesn’t it usually take a long time to process these children? Don’t we have to go through some kind of screening?”

“Nina recommended you highly,” Kathy said. “That would be good enough for me. And since it is only temporary, I see no reason to make a big production out of it.”

She shoved a paper across the desk. “Now, let’s see about signing these forms . . .”

Rachel thought the session would never end. She didn’t care about forms or legal mumbo jumbo. She only cared about meeting her new “son.” At last there was a knock on the door and a grandmotherly woman poked her head in.

“Steven’s ready,” she said. “Everything okay in here?”

“Bring him in, Dorothy,” Kathy said.

The door opened farther and in stepped a wisp of a boy. His hair was a little too short, indicating it had been freshly cut. Small hips did nothing to keep his pants up around his waist, and a thin line of white underwear showed over the waistband. He wore a neon-print T-shirt and seemed to be completely absorbed in his red high-top sneakers, because he never took his eyes off them.

“Come on in, Steven,” Kathy said. “Don’t be afraid. I want you to meet Mr. and Mrs. Freleng.”

“Hi, Steven,” Rachel said, encouragement in her voice.

“H’lo,” Steven mumbled.

He was a handsome child, she noted, with large brown eyes and a small straight nose. His skin was coffee-and-cream-colored like her own. Maybe, if she’d had a son, he might have looked just like Steven.

“We’d like you to stay with us for a while,” Rachel said.

“I think you’ll enjoy living with the Frelengs,” Kathy said. “Would you like them to take care of you until your family comes for you?”

Steven nodded eagerly. Then suddenly he ran to Rachel and threw his arms around her waist. Rachel hugged him back, looking over him at Eric. She was smiling like a woman who had just found a long-lost son.

Eric turned to Kathy.

“If all the papers are in order,” he said, “then we’d like to take Steven home.”

“We sure would,” Rachel said with an eager nod.

Kathy smiled. “You’re all set. We’ll be calling you in a day or so to check up on your progress. And of course, if anything turns up regarding his identification, we’ll call immediately.”

“Of course,” Eric said.

Kathy wished them luck, and soon they were on their way. Steven sat in the front seat between Eric and Rachel. Rachel kept an arm across the back of the seat, as if to protect the young boy.

“I’m so excited,” she said, her gray-green eyes sparkling. “We’re going to have so much fun together.”

“You bet,” Eric agreed. “We’ve got a huge backyard, and there are lots of kids your age in the neighborhood.”

Rachel looked up at her husband.

“One thing at a time, Eric,” she said. “Steven doesn’t need to be bombarded with other kids.”

“I’d like to make new friends,” Steven said in a soft voice.

“So you can talk,” Eric teased.

Rachel shot him a dirty look, but he was too busy watching the road to notice. A short time later they pulled up in the driveway of their house. Two little faces were peering through the beveled-glass door. As soon as Eric stopped the car, the door swung wide open and the girls came running out.

“What’s your name?” Tati asked Steven as he exited the car. “How old are you? Do you know how to play baseball?”

“Tati, let him get settled in before you bombard him!” Rachel cried.

“I know his name is Steven,” Olivia said. “You forgot, Tati.”

“I did not!” Tati protested. “I just wanted to hear him say it!”

Steven watched all this with huge eyes. It was not exactly a look of fear, but there was apprehension in his face. He felt Rachel’s reassuring hand on his shoulder and moved a step closer to her.

“Don’t let Tati overwhelm you,” Rachel said with a laugh. “She’s just very excited to meet you. Tatiana, Olivia, this is Steven.”

“Hi, Steven,” Olivia said politely.

“You have a nice haircut,” Tati said, pointing.

Olivia pushed her sister’s hand down firmly.

“Don’t point.”

Steven ran his fingers through his dark hair.

“I think it’s too short,” he said softly.

“It’s just fine,” Rachel said. “Come on, let’s go inside. It’s been a long morning and you must be exhausted.”