Unordinary Love

© 2012 Antonio F. Vianna. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 2/1/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-4676-7 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-4677-4 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012901826

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 1

What’s this about, is something wrong? Kay nervously looks at her parents, and then slips a glance to her older brother Paul. She wonders if she has done something to disappoint her parents or if there is some other bad news coming her way. She quickly lets her mind rewind recent goings-on that might be the source of her parents’ displeasure. She cannot think of anything, so she blinks a few times to reorient her thoughts.

Paul keeps quiet. As the oldest child he has learned the best move is to play dumb, to act surprised. His face is stone cold and unwavering. He thinks he has the upper hand.

Your father and I want to talk with you about something important, very important. We know you’ll like what we’re going to say. Gwen turns to glance at her husband for what appears to be emotional support. She feels a little nervous about the news and only hopes her children will take it as positive as she and her husband. Yet, down deep inside, she is uncertain.

Yes, an important matter. You’re both old enough to understand. Sam nervously takes a quick look back and forth between his children and his wife. He wipes his hand over his lips, clears his throat, and hopes Gwen will take over. He has never been good at communicating to his kids about important matters. It has nothing to do with his love for them. It is just the way he is.

We love you both very much. I think you know that. Gwen smiles as she reaches to grab a hand of each child. While she is upbeat, there is a little moisture that appears at the corners of her eyes. Her appearance could be interpreted a few different ways. A lump suddenly makes its way to her throat. She coughs a little in order to get rid of the annoyance.

Kay, the sixteen year old girl asks, Mom, you’re scarring me. What’s going on? In spite of her father’s reluctance to talk with her and her brother about family matters, she would really like her dad to take control of the conversation, but she knows that will not happen. There has been an increasing strain build up between her and her mom for some reason. Maybe it has something to due with her thinking that she is daddy’s girl and as a consequence can do no wrong. Maybe it is about something else. She really is not sure.

Paul’s restlessness takes over, and so he decides to join into the conversation. He wants to get the family powwow over with as quickly as possible. Yeah, what’s going on? Are either of you sick or something? He is two years older than his sister. He has other plans for the day and would really like the meeting to end. However, he does not put out of his mind that there might be something serious his parents are about to say. His head bobs up and down as he glances between his parents, waiting for a response.

No, no, it’s nothing like that. We’re both healthy. It’s something else. Gwen takes in a deep breath before she continues. She hears her stomach growl right before she gets to the point. Your father and I want to adopt a child. She is not surprised by the dead silence that follows. She puckers her lips, and then glances at Sam. A forced smile makes its way across her face. Then she looks nervously at her two children. She quickly realizes the impact of the news. She surmises Paul and Kay are not taking it well.

This is a good thing for our family, Sam quickly adds to fill in the stillness. You’re both old enough to understand, and you need to start planning for your future. They’ll be a little adjustment on everyone’s part, that’s for sure, but we’ll all be better for it. He smiles to make the news appear more appealing, yet he too feels the room get still and cold. All the counseling sessions he and his wife went through have not prepared them well enough for this meeting. His mind races to find something else to say that might remove the tension.

As if on cue, Paul and Kay cross their arms. Their mouths are shut tight. They are not happy.

Gwen quickly picks up on their behavior. She tries to ease the tense situation. I know this is a big surprise, and maybe, just maybe, you don’t approve. But your father and I have talked this over many times. She notices Kay’s eyes roll and Paul look away, yet she continues. There are children all over the world who don’t have parents. They live in loneliness and despair. Our family, that means you, me, and your father, has compassion and love to help out those who really need it. This is the right thing to do.

Paul and Kay stay quiet, yet inside each of them fume with resentment. Jealously starts to build.

Their father asks, Talk to us. What are you thinking? Sam does not feel prepared to get into this much deeper but understands he must get his kids to start talking about it. He thinks it is only a matter of time before his children say something, so he waits. He does not like how the discussion is moving along. Silence lasts longer than anyone would like.

Paul speaks first. I don’t like it one bit. He keeps his eyes away from looking at his father. Our family is just fine the way it is. He hears his own voice quiver, and his shallow breathing in and out. His arms stay crossed over his chest as he holds back tears of anger.

Why are you doing this to us? Kay begins to cry. Tears that belong to her and her brother stream down her otherwise smooth and gentle face. She is close to being hysterical yet she manages to avoid a total melt down.

Gwen moves closer to her daughter, and then puts her arms around her. Your father and I love you and your brother so much. It is because you both are kind and caring people that we can do this, to help out someone who doesn’t know what family love means. This is something to celebrate. She desperately looks at Sam for moral support but he seems as worried as her. While the adoption counseling sessions she and Sam took cautioned them about something like this happening, she had hoped for less resistance. She now wonders if they should have waited until their children were a little older to go through with the adoption. Too bad, so sad, there is no turning back.

Paul is not resigned to have a stepsibling join the family, with or without further talk. However, he is curious about something else, so he asks, Male or female?

Sam is relieved the conversation seems to be moving forward in a positive way, We’re not sure. We don’t know who is available for adoption yet.

Although Kay, too, is not prepared to accept the finality of it all, the attention shift brings her into the conversation, American or from another country?

Again, we don’t know. We also don’t know the race or the religion. It really doesn’t matter to us. He looks at Gwen to pick up on the talk but she stays quiet for a while. He continues, But we want the child to be around your ages. You’ll have more in common. Sam waits for another question, but instead, his wife decides to speak up.

Your father and I have done plenty of research. We selected a reputable agency. We’re far enough into the process that we should hear the details within the next few weeks. Once a child is identified and after we approve, we could have him or her in our family within a month or so.

So, it’s going to happen that quickly. Kay’s voice is subdued.

Yes. There is not much else for her father to say. Sam hopes the talk is close to the end but it does not work out that way.

Why can’t we interview the kid first, to see if he fits in? Paul asks.

As we said before, we don’t know if your stepsibling will be a male or female, Gwen says.

You know what I mean, come on. Paul answers in an almost rebellious way.

Yeah, adds Kay, Let’s have a group interview first, and then each of us can talk one on one with the person. She turns to Paul, I like that idea. She is upbeat with the plan.

Paul makes a quick mental calculation as he gives himself a hidden smile of approval. He figures he will soon be attending school at a nearby college that will lessen the interaction with whoever joins the family. He has lucked out, but not his sister. She is in an entirely different situation. She will be living in the same house for at least two more years with whoever it is.

That won’t work, Gwen says.

Why? asks Kay. This is a family decision, isn’t it?

Paul wants to push the notion further, but he realizes the idea is not in his parent’s plan. I don’t think so, sis. They’ve already made up their minds. He twists his nose from side to side and then pulls in some air. It’s a done deal, so don’t waste your breath.

Kay frowns, not happy with that reality, yet she forges on with another question. Where will the kid sleep? Kay looks around at her parents. I’m not sharing my bedroom with anyone. It’s mine. I’ve got personal things. I need my privacy. Her eyes open wider than normal as if she has just seen a ghost.

Yes, we respect your privacy. You’ll keep your bedroom just as it is. Her father looks towards Paul. You’re off to college in the fall. Your mother and I were thinking that you wouldn’t mind giving up your bedroom.

Gwen joins in. During the interval when there are three children living here, and that’s just for a short time as your father said, we thought you wouldn’t mind staying in the den. We can put a rollaway bed and a dresser in there. She knows the update is not pleasing to Paul and wishes there was another option.

Paul shakes his head sideways a few times. The room goes completely silent on him as if he is the only soul around. Nothing comes to mind and no emotions are felt, not even a drip of sorrow to help comfort the hidden pain of humiliation. He does not hear his mother ask if he is alright. It wouldn’t matter if he heard, he wouldn’t answer anyway. His world has just been turned upside down. If he was in touch with his feelings he would certainly feel miserable and rejected.

∞ ∞

The next thirty-seven days are uncomfortable for the entire Whitaker family as the adoption process seems to drag on forever. For a short time, Paul and Kay wonder if something has gone amiss, but neither is willing to bring up the subject with their parents. They secretly talk between themselves to inject morsels of hope that something has permanently muddled the waters. The only cost of hope is despair if the consequences do not turn out in your favor.

Paul starts to distance himself from his parents, but less so from his sister. It is no longer important to him if or when a stepsibling joins the family. He feels he has already been dismissed and cannot wait to get on with his life in college. He tries to stay connected with Kay since they both share the same feelings about it all, but keeping up that bond is not easy. Their private talks dwindle to insignificant chitchats.

Kay tries to maintain a positive outward appearance. She realizes she is stuck with whoever the new kid is for at least two more years. She figures it is best to bite that bullet rather than deny the truth of the matter. But, as time lingers on, dealing with the uncertainty takes its toll. She becomes at times belligerent and uncompromising.

Sam and Gwen are not immune to the family’s unraveling.

Maybe we should have waited a while before telling the kids? Gwen shakes her head sideways.

I don’t know whether that would have mattered. Let’s face it, we were told by the counselors to expect resistance from them regardless of what we did. We both know this is the right decision for our family. They’ll soon come to that same conclusion, I’m convinced. Sam does his best to stay in high spirits but he is not sure how to sort it out and keep the family together.

I hope so. She pauses and then goes on. I’m not so much worried about Kay as I am of Paul. He’s the one who seems to have taken it badly. He’s not the same son anymore.

He is the first child, and a male at that. We know he has always believed he would be the one to step in for the family in case something ever happened to me. I think he feels that has been taken away or at least minimized, especially if his stepsibling is a boy. A girl might actually give him more self worth.

Her quizzical look needs no further explanation.

OK, I’m not a child psychologist. I’m just guessing here.

Gwen leans her head on Sam’s chest. You’re wonderful. Don’t go anyplace without me. I love you so much.

∞∞

I hate him already. Paul tells Kay. I hate them. He pauses. I hate everyone.

Am I included?

He looks at his sister, forces a smile, albeit slight. No, of course not, but you know what I mean.

You know I’ll always love you. You’re my brother.

Yeah. He does not want to move away from the hate feeling.

She says, You don’t know if it is a he or a she?

I do. I just know it, I just do. It’s a guy.

It’s going to be alright, that’s what I know. She puts her hand to his face for comfort.

He lets her touch ease his pain for a while. Then he says, That’s easy for you to say. You’re keeping your room but I’m getting sent to the dog house as if I don’t matter anymore. He clenches his teeth. I hate this. I hate all of it. Why is this happening?

You’ll always be my brother. I’ll always love you no matter what happens. Kay looks at Paul with a big smile. She feels his pain but realizes there is nothing she can do to take it away.

He puffs out a big breath of air. Yeah, whatever, at least I’m out of here sooner than later. I guess that’s some good news.

But you’re still going to call or text me when you’re at college?

Yeah, whatever, he replies with little enthusiasm.

Promise you won’t forget me.

Paul keeps quiet. His mind is blank of thoughts as if everything has been sucked out by an oversized vacuum cleaner.

Kay pushes on. You’ll be real popular with everyone in school. The girls will go wild over you. But you better remember to study. You don’t want to flunk out.

He no longer listens to what she has to say. His grim face tells it all.

Kay looks at her brother carefully. For the first time ever she sees someone she does not really recognize. A cold shiver cuts through her body. She concludes he is seriously depressed.

∞∞

As the seventeen year old boy steps inside the house, the collision is immediate. He is only a few months younger than Paul and about a year older than Kay. Black hair takes prominence over his white complexion and brown eyes. There is a slight scar on his right cheek at about the same level as the corresponding earlobe. His lips remain shut. He feels uncomfortable meeting his stepsiblings in spite of the white lies told by his adopted parents that he would be welcomed by Paul and Kay. He tries to smile but his facial muscles do not cooperate.

Paul and Kay, this is Carl, our newest member of the family. Gwen anxiously waits for a positive sign from someone.

Carl steps forward to extend his hand to Paul. Hi, I hope we’ll become good friends.

Paul makes the next move. His angry stare could cut through a six inch metal plate. Without saying a word, he walks past Carl, and snaps his left shoulder against Carl’s corresponding left shoulder with enough punch to send an unwelcomed message. Under his breath he says, Screw you.

His action takes everyone by surprise.

Carl wobbles backward.

Gwen puts her hands to her mouth.

Kay’s eyes open wide.

Sam shouts to his son, Paul, come back here and apologize to Carl.

His father’s order goes unheeded as Paul steps outside the house to be alone.

I’m sorry about his behavior. He’s usually well mannered, but he’s got a few things on his mind. Gwen tries to explain her son’s behavior but everyone knows she falls short.

Kay looks over Carl with a little sympathy. She is embarrassed by her brother’s action. She tries to make amends. Hi, I’m Kay. Welcome. She smiles.

Carl nods his head, and mumbles, Thanks, happy to be here, although he isn’t so sure.

While his reply is not earth-shattering, it serves its purpose to calm things down.

Sam and Gwen take in a deep breath of temporary satisfaction for the time being. Although bonding between Kay and Carl is just beginning, Sam and Gwen worry that Paul’s behavior might not improve. It would be a whole lot easier for everyone to feel gracious and loving towards each other.

Maybe I should talk with him alone. Do you think it would matter? Carl asks. His eyes roam among Sam, Gwen, and Kay.

Sam and Gwen shrug their shoulders although they privately think they should let things settle down a little.

Kay agrees with Carl’s idea. Yeah, maybe you guys should just talk it out privately. Tell him you’re not trying to take over his place in the family, just trying to join the family. Her eyes light up to support her new stepbrother.

Carl looks to Sam and Gwen for some sign of agreement and then says, If you don’t mind, I think I’ll go outside to give it a try.

If you think it would work, why not, Sam says. He looks at Gwen who nods yes.

∞∞

Outside the house, Paul is still angry, more than he has ever been and more than he thought he could ever be. He is surprised how quickly he reacted to the appearance of his stepbrother, and how hardened he has become since being told he would be giving up his room for the newcomer in exchange for the small den. His parents attempt to soften the blow did not work well then and it still is not working now. He feels totally humiliated. He thinks maybe he would feel better if he had punched Carl in the stomach. At least some of the anger would have left his body. Maybe there is still time to give the guy a good smack. However, his thoughts are interrupted when he hears a voice.

I’m sorry about what’s going on. While Carl is sincere, his voice sounds lame. I can sleep in the den for as long as necessary. It’s the best place I’ve had to my own since I can remember, and that’s been a while.

Paul keeps his back towards Carl. All he can think of is throwing a hard punch to topple him over. Turn around and throw it, he hears himself say. He commands himself again, Throw it! It will be over with!

Carl steps forward to place a hand on Paul’s shoulder.

Paul tightens both fists, turns quickly, and hits Carl on the chest with a solid right punch.

Carl staggers, and then falls down, breathless and white colored in his face. He stays put for a while, shocked at the attack, but ready to take revenge himself. He would have done so if Paul had not stepped forward so fast.

Fuck you! Take the room, but stay out of my way or I swear I’ll break your neck! Paul keeps a hostile stare for a short time. Then, surprisingly quickly, he gathers himself, takes in a deep breath and coolly enters the house as if nothing had happened.

Resisting the