CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

‘Kaz! Wait!’ the principal shouted. ‘Your social worker is on her way here.’

‘I don’t want to talk to her,’ Kaz shouted back over her shoulder.

‘Where are you going?’ The principal asked with concern.

Kaz stopped at the door. She shrugged her shoulders. ‘I don’t know___somewhere, where I can think,’ she escaped.

Kaz wondered how Ms. Shaw was doing. Her first class this morning was English.  Ms. Shaw looked devastated.  Could she handle her naughty senior class? They were always teasing her and serenading her with poems. How would she cope now?  Kaz found herself walking to her class. She hovered at the entrance. She saw Ms. Shaw in the front, looking distraught, taking a tissue to her eyes and quickly dabbing at it. Their eyes met. Ms. Shaw’s eyes widened, she summoned a half smile. Kaz slowly made her way to Ms. Shaw’s table.

‘Are you okay?’ Ms. Shaw murmured softly, blinked furiously at the tears threatening to fall.

‘It’s going to be okay,’ Kaz smiled, reaching out for Ms. Shaw’s hand consolingly.

The class went dead still, curiously watching the somber interaction between their normally chirpy teacher and the generally uncommunicative Kaz. Everybody was intrigued. Kaz never spoke to any of her teachers, or any of her class mates. They were not surprised that Josh was the only one she conversed with. Josh made it his duty to befriend all his classmates. Often, encouraging them or exhorting them with a word from the bible.

‘Would you like to be excused from your test this morning?’ Ms. Shaw bit on her lip, trying with difficulty to hold herself together.

Kaz nodded. She was in no frame of mind to sit through a test right now. She was also concerned for Ms. Shaw. She wanted to offer her a hug, but the classroom full of curious students would wonder what the hell was going on!

‘May Josh be excused too ___please?’ Kaz pleaded.

Ms. Shaw took a huge gulp of air. Kaz had a valid reason to be excused, Josh did not. Ms. Shaw wished, she herself could escape and just be by herself. Everything was becoming pear-shaped. She’d thought the guardian would be happy to be released of her guardianship. She looked at Kaz again, perhaps she could do with some consoling from Josh. He was always such a tower of strength to his fellow pupils.

‘I’ll excuse Josh,’ Ms. Shaw nodded, but he must sit during his break and complete his test.’

Kaz nodded again. She turned around and looked in Josh’s direction. He looked back curiously. His eyes silently asking her what was going on?

‘Josh,’ Ms. Shaw spoke. ‘Please come to my desk.’

‘Yes, Ms. Shaw,’ Josh rushed forward. He thought she wanted him to hand out the question papers.

‘I’m excusing you from writing your test now,’ Ms. Shaw spoke. ‘Kaz will explain to you. Please come back during your break and complete your test.’

‘Okay,’ Josh nodded, looking at Kaz and trying to deduce what was going on. ‘We can go to the student room,’ Josh took Kaz’s hand.

‘Can we walk on the sports ground instead?’ Kaz requested.

‘Okay,’ Josh repeated.

‘Josh please ensure you attend your next class,’ Ms. Shaw reminded him.

‘Yes ma’am,’ he led Kaz out.

‘Kaz! What’s going on?’ Josh questioned the second they exited the class room. ‘Why does Ms. Shaw look like she’s about to cry? Kaz, talk to me!’

‘In a minute Josh,’ Kaz tugged his hand, dragging him to the sports field.

Josh was impatient to hear what was going on, but he had to very patiently wait for Kaz. She seemed pre-occupied with her thoughts. They were on the sports field but her thoughts seemed far away.

‘Kaz,’ Josh murmured. ‘Please tell me what you’re so pre-occupied about.’

Kaz allowed her eyes to lift up to Josh. He was skinny and small framed, but he was just half a head taller than her. She looked into his concerned hazel eyes and smiled; something she did not often do.

‘Josh,’ she began, linking both her hands into Josh’s. ‘Do you remember I mentioned to you about Ms. Shaw wanting to adopt me?’

‘She does not want to anymore!’ Josh sounded deflated.

‘Kaz shook her head. ‘Mrs. Bairns is contesting it. She claims she wants to adopt me!’

‘What! Why? I mean she’s never displayed the interest she’s supposed to have shown towards you.’

‘I don’t know,’ Kaz shrugged, looking very annoyed.

‘What are you going to do?’

‘I don’t know Josh. I don’t know. I’m so confused,’ her eyes locked with his, displaying her sudden insecurity.

Josh draped his arms around her comfortingly. He just held her for a moment, not saying anything.

‘I just don’t know what to do,’ Kaz whispered.

‘Here, let’s take a seat,’ Josh led her to a bench under a shady Palo Verde tree. Brightly coloured yellow blossoms were in abundance on the attractive Palo Verde tree. Flocks of hummingbirds were nesting on the tree. A few white winged doves joined them.

‘Would you like to speak to mum?’ Josh offered. ‘She can be a voice of reason,’ he smiled.

‘I don’t want to do anything to hurt Ms. Shaw,’ Kaz murmured. ‘Besides you,’ she’s the only person who has bothered to give me the time of day.’

It was not an entirely true reflection. More students could have reached out to Kaz, had she exhibited a friendlier persona. Most often, she had that “keep away from me” look that frightened other girls from befriending her and the boys gave up trying all too easily.

‘What do you want?’ Josh questioned.

Kaz took her time to answer, as if she was weighing the pros and cons. If she stayed with the old dog, she could have privacy, because Myrtle Bairns hardly saw Kaz for five minutes in any twenty-four hour period. She would have the freedom to do as she pleased and most importantly she would be left alone to live her life as she wished with nobody checking up on her; nobody minding her business and nobody telling her how to live her life. If she consented to the adoption with Ms. Shaw, things would change. She knew that implicitly. Ms. Shaw cared. Kaz would feel compelled to be accountable. Ms. Shaw would ask questions if she did not smile or did not feel like eating dinner. Ms. Shaw would fuss if she did not put on a sweater on a cloudy day! Could she allow herself emotionally to take a risk with Ms. Shaw? What happens if at some stage Ms. Shaw changes her mind and sends her back to that bloody orphanage?

‘Kaz?’ Josh gently took her hand into his.

She looked up in surprise. For a moment she forgot what Josh had asked.

Her decision made, Kaz felt her heart bubbling joyously. ‘I think ___I want to stay with Ms. Shaw,’ Kaz whispered, looking into Josh’s eyes. ‘At least I’ll be right next door to you.’

‘I agree,’ Josh hugged her again. ‘I would like it if you were so close,’ he smiled. ‘We could see more of each other and do our projects together and watch movies and___.’

‘Right, I get the picture,’ Kaz smiled.

Josh laughed. ‘I’m glad you’re smiling again,’ he brushed his fingers to her cheek.

‘Thank you for being here for me Josh,’ she swallowed. ‘I’ve given you so many reasons to keep away from.’

‘I like you too much, so I had to ignore all your slighting,’ he grinned.

Kaz laughed. ‘I think we should go back to classes,’ Kaz stood up.

‘I need to,’ Josh answered. ‘I’m sure Principal Taylor will consent to you going home, if you so wish.’

‘I don’t want to,’ Kaz smiled. ‘I want to tell Ms. Shaw of my decision,’ Kaz looked positively happy for once. She recalled how distraught Ms. Shaw was in the principal’s office.

‘Okay then,’ Josh extended his hand out to hers. ‘Let’s go find Ms. Shaw.’

Still holding hands, they rushed to the office only to be diplomatically informed by the school secretary that Ms. Shaw had taken leave for the rest of the day, as she was not feeling well. Kaz’s shoulders sunk disappointedly. She wanted to call Ms. Shaw as Josh had suggested she do, but Kaz much preferred to tell her in person.

‘What’s wrong honey?’ Ryan’s face was etched with concern. Firstly his fiancée should have been in school teaching, it was not yet even lunch time. Secondly her eyes were blood shot red. Clearly she had been crying. He had just received a text from her twenty minutes ago, asking if he could meet her at their favourite local roadhouse café.

‘Every thing’s just going wrong,’ Dominic whispered to Ryan, trying to hold back the tears.

‘Whatever it is, we can fix it,’ Ryan asserted, not having the slightest clue, why is fiancée, was so beside herself.

‘Can we?’ Dominic challenged. ‘We’re not going to get to adopt Kaz. Her guardian filed a counter application and she will have the first choice, seeing she’s already the guardian. The court will be hesitant to move Kaz from her familiar environment. Now everything is ruined! Now we can’t___.’

‘Dominic!’ Ryan hushed her, draping his arm around her shoulder. ‘We cannot afford to be negative,’ he reprimanded. ‘I want us to only speak positive words.’

‘How can I be positive?’ Dominic allowed the tears to fall. ‘Did you hear what I just said? Why is this happening? Why?’ she demanded. Ryan was quiet, allowing her to give vent her frustration. ‘Ryan, when I spoke to you about adopting Kaz, you said we should pray. I clearly remember the scripture, you said we must stand upon. It was in Mark 11: 24; “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

‘Isn’t that the Word that you and I prayed Ryan?’ Dominic demanded. He nodded, feeling powerless, seeing Dominic so helpless.

‘So then why is this happening? Why is the Word not working for us?’

‘Who said it’s not working Dominic?’ he gripped her shoulder, trying to make her feel some of his own confidence. He had to confess to himself, he had to dig deep to extract it. ‘Honey, the Word says we must BELIEVE,’ he emphasized ‘we have received it. I believe God has heard our prayer. I believe God knows your heart. I am fully persuaded the victory is ours,’ Ryan exhorted.

‘Then why did God not stop Mrs. Bairns from contesting our application? Why is the social worker coming to talk to Kaz? I know she’s going to tell Kaz she has to stay where she is.’

‘Stop this negativity honey! I won’t be party to it. Do you hear me?’

‘Oh Ryan,’ she threw her arms around him. ‘I feel so helpless, so disappointed,’ she sobbed.

‘We’re going to pray right now,’ Ryan stated. ‘And I want you to stand in agreement with me honey,’ Ryan insisted.

‘Okay,’ Dominic mumbled, trying to psyche herself up.

‘Lord Jesus, I remind you, in John 14:13; the Word says: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

‘Yes, Amen!’ Dominic agreed with Ryan.

‘So Father God,’ Ryan continued, ‘we thank you that our prayer is answered. We believe that we have been granted the right to adopt Kaz, in the Name of Jesus, Amen!’

Ryan nudged Kaz, so she could agree with his prayer.

Dominic inhaled heavily. ‘Amen, I stand in agreement,’ she agreed. ‘“We?’” Dominic looked up into Ryan’s face.

‘You’re going to be my wife,’ he grinned. ‘We’re doing this together,’ he affirmed.

‘Oh Ryan, you make me so happy,’ she hugged him.

‘Did you call Ms. Shaw?’ Josh asked Kaz after school.

‘I’d much prefer telling her in person,’ Kaz sighed, wondering how she could get to Ms. Shaw. It would be such a long trek for from the Shaw’s residence, back to her flat. Her ankle was still rather tender.

‘Got you a coke,’ Josh smiled, flicking the tab and handing it to Kaz.

‘Thank you,’ she leaned over and kissed his cheek. Josh blushed. Kaz giggled.

‘How about we have a barbecue on Friday night?’ Josh suggested.

‘Just you and I?’ she laughed, offering him some of her coke.

‘Yeah, why not?’ he took a big swig from the can.

‘That sounds cool,’ Kaz nodded, liking the idea. She enjoyed Josh’s company. ‘What shall I bring?’

‘Something for dessert,’ Josh grinned. ‘I like chocolate.’

‘Okay,’ she laughed. ‘Is that all? I don’t want you draining your mum’s resources.’

‘When it comes to food, mum has no complaints,’ Josh laughed.

‘There’s this movie everybody is talking about,’ Kaz hinted.

‘We can, on Saturday afternoon,’ Josh smiled.

Kaz nodded, ‘hey how’d the test go?’ she sipped from her can again.

‘I’m sure I passed,’ Josh answered. He hoped he passed. His mind had been consumed about Kaz. She had looked so forlorn when they were sitting under the Palo Verde tree.

‘Is your mum fetching Shanna just now?’ Kaz enquired.

‘Yep.’

‘Do you think I could get a lift with her and go speak to Ms. Shaw?’

‘I know mum won’t mind,’ Josh replied. ‘Let me call her quickly.’

Kaz stood outside the Shaw’s residence, wondering if she was doing the right thing. She did not even know if Ms. Shaw was home. Maybe she and her boyfriend were out. She wished she had accepted Josh’s offer to accompany her. Initially she thought to do this by herself. Now she was secretly wanting Josh’s comforting presence. Summoning up the courage, Kaz walked up the stairs and knocked on the door. Mrs. Shaw answered the door.

‘Hello dear, lovely to see you,’ she smiled happily.

‘Umm ___is Ms. Shaw home?’ Kaz asked awkwardly.

‘Yes off course dear, please come inside. She and Ryan are around here somewhere,’ she laughed. ‘Dominic!’ Mrs. Shaw called out.

‘Kaz!’ Ms. Shaw rushed forward and spontaneously hugged Kaz. ‘Are you okay?’

‘Yeah ___yeah,’ Kaz shifted about uncomfortably, seeing Ryan behind Ms. Shaw.

‘Come take a seat,’ Ms. Shaw offered.

For some reason, Kaz regretted her hasty decision to come her. ‘Umm ___ I wanted to talk to you, but if you’re busy ___ we can do it another time,’ Kaz looked anywhere but at Ms. Shaw.

She’s going to tell me, she wants to stay with Mrs. Bairns. She’s going to tell me she does not want me to adopt her!

Ms. Shaw looked over her shoulder at Ryan, silently drawing strength from him. He smiled, walked forward and curved his arm around her waist consolingly.

‘Go on honey,’ Ryan smiled. Take Kaz to your study or maybe around the garden,’ Ryan tactfully offered, sensing Kaz wanted to talk to Dominic privately.

‘Outside’s fine,’ Kaz quickly blurted.

‘It’s going to be okay,’ Ryan whispered softly in Dominic’s ear, as she stepped out. She nodded, not feeling the positive enthusiastic signal that Ryan was emitting.

‘How you doing?’ Ms. Shaw asked, aware that she’d already asked Kaz that earlier.

‘I’m cool,’ Kaz smiled.

Ms. Shaw nodded, holding her breath.
‘Could we take a seat?’ Ms. Shaw pointed to the garden chairs, desperately needing the comfort of the chair, she did not feel like her legs could hold her up much longer.

‘Yeah, we could do that,’ Kaz much preferred to stroll about, around their beautiful well manicured garden. She knew Josh earned his pocket money from maintaining some of the neighbours’ gardens. She must remember to compliment her boyfriend.

‘Kaz, you’re killing me here,’ Ms. Shaw drew out, when Kaz remained so quiet.

‘Oh sorry,’ she apologized. ‘I had my meeting with the social worker,’ Kaz informed her.

‘And?’ Ms. Shaw prompted. ‘She wished Kaz would just spill out the decision she’d made.

‘She said it’s my decision, as I’m sixteen,’ Kaz pursed her lips, ‘so Ms. Shaw, if you still want me___.’

‘If I still want you!’ Ms. Shaw sprung up and hugged Kaz. ‘What do you mean if I still want you?’ she laughed. ‘Oh thank you God. Thank you; thank you; thank you.’

Kaz laughed, ‘well I guess you still want to adopt me,’ she observed the radiance light up Ms. Shaw’s face.

‘There’s two things I want in my life Kaz, you and to marry my boyfriend,’ Ms. Shaw laughed.

‘Thank you for caring Ms. Shaw. I don’t know why you do,’ Kaz shrugged her shoulders.

‘The thought of losing you, has shown me how much I’ve grown to love you and want to be there for you Kaz. I just don’t know how to explain it. Oh, by the way, now that we are going to be family, I want you to call me Dominic.’

‘You’re my teacher!’ Kaz exclaimed.

Dominic sighed, ‘I suppose in school, you can address me that way, but at home we can lose the formality,’ she grinned.

‘Okay,’ Kaz hesitatingly smiled.

‘Can I share the good news with Ryan, he will be so ecstatic.’

‘Are you sure?’ Kaz asked.

‘Oh yes! We have been praying very earnestly together, Ryan and I. He has been such a tower of strength. This morning, I thought I lost you to Mrs. Bairns. Ryan prayed with me, refused to believe that we will not have this victory. He was right. God answered us,’ Dominic exclaimed enthusiastically.

Kaz nodded, not sharing Dominic’s enthusiasm. Good for her! Whatever works for her!

‘Kaz, I want you to know, you will have the freedom to make your own decisions,’ Dominic imparted perceptively. ‘Ryan and I will never impose any of our view on you. You are an individual and we respect your right to make your own decisions.’

‘Thank you,’ Kaz took that moment to raise her shoulders, in relief.

‘But I will fiercely protect you like a mother lion,’ Dominic warned.

Kaz laughed, ‘that I don’t mind.’

‘Ryan!’ Dominic called out cheerfully.

She had barely finished calling his name, when the door flew open. Clearly he was pacing about there in the inside in anticipation. When he saw the joy and relief pasted across Dominic’s face, he raced down to where she was. Ryan lifted Dominic into his arms and twirled about with her joyously. Dominic did not need to speak and he did not ask. It was all there written on her beautiful, adorable face.

‘I told you our God will give us the victory,’ he murmured in her ear, as he twirled with her once more, before gently setting her down on the grass again.

‘You did. Thank you,’ she hugged Ryan and smiled adoringly at Kaz, who smiled back happily.

‘We’re family now Kaz,’ Ryan reached out his arm to draw her into the circle. ‘We’re very, very happy that you have chosen us as your family. Thank you Kaz.’

‘Thank you,’ Kaz murmured.

‘I think we should go out for a celebratory dinner,’ Dominic proposed.

‘I agree,’ Ryan smiled.

‘Thank you,’ Kaz murmured again. She would have loved Josh to join them, but she supposed, she needed this initial time alone with her new family. Kaz felt good, at peace, finally she felt like she was home.

‘Umm___ when would you like me to move in?’ Kaz enquired.

‘How about tonight?’ Dominic smiled.

‘Ain’t no time like the present,’ Ryan laughed.

‘Sure,’ Kaz nodded. ‘It won’t take me more than an hour to pack my stuff. She did not have much to pack. Life had taught her to travel light. Dominic and Ryan would soon discover that about her.

‘After dinner, we could pick Josh up to give you company when we go to your flat,’ Dominic suggested.

‘I’d like that,’ Kaz grinned.

‘Good, let’s go tell my parents the good news,’ Dominic laughed

             -end chapter seventeen-