Sophie’s Choice

Note:  the names/identities of the foster children and social workers have been changed to protect their identities

It was Tuesday – a full day and a half since our adventure at the Kidsave event where we met a couple of delightful teenage boys.  The first we’ll call Tom and the second, Donovan.

We’d indicated on our follow-up form that we enjoyed both boys and were interested in further contact with each of them.  We were waiting on pins and needles to see if either of them had felt the same.  Our ridiculously grandiose vision:  the four of us at Thanksgiving.  And Christmas.  Their birthdays.  Our birthdays.  Okay, fine, and holidays, road trips, Disneyland – the list goes on and on.

And on…

Our phone rang.  We didn’t recognize the number, but we answered in case it was Natalie from Kidsave.  And it was.

Natalie:  So what did you think of the event?

Us:  So much fun!

NOTE:  We were worried that the Kidsave event would be like the Omar situation where potential parents inappropriately competed for the cutest children in attendance.  And it wasn’t.  It totally wasn’t.

Natalie:  You indicated an interest in both Tom and Donovan.

Us:  Right.

Natalie:  In thinking about both boys, did you feel a connection with one over the other?

Us:  No.

Natalie:  Well, that’s fantastic.  But…

NOTE:  The following is to be read with a Polish accent.  Or German.  Oh, and Natalie sounds like an evil Nazi soldier.  And we sound like Meryl Streep.  And we look like her.  Wait – we look like her then, when she did Sophie’s Choice.  Don’t get us wrong, she’s still rockin’ it!  But she’s way older than we are…  And this is Hollywood, so…  Anyway – evil Nazi, accents, Streep – read on!

Natalie:  You must choose one of the children.

Us:  But we cannot choose!  We cannot choose!

Natalie:  You have to choose.

Us:  We cannot choose!  We cannot choose just one!

Natalie:  Then you lose them both.  I will send them over there!  Guard!

Okay, fine, it didn’t go that way.  Natalie (who looks like Natalie Portman, not an evil Nazi soldier) very sweetly (and patiently) explained to us that it is not at all possible to mentor both boys.  The county will not allow it.  We must, in fact, choose.

Egad!

We are set to begin Kidsave training at the end of this month.  We will attend the August Kidsave event where we will have an opportunity to focus on Tom.  Natalie promised to help us traverse this path slowly so that we could get to know both boys and find the right fit for us (and more importantly, for them).

NOTE:  To be continued…