Night Changes

Melinda walked into Dr. Morgan’s office with Phil. The kids were in the waiting room. They had decided to leave the door open to deal with the anxiety. Bobbi and Leo were playing a game on Bobbi and Tasha’s phone. Tasha was reading a book and Skye was drawing. Melinda sat on the chair in front of the desk, glancing outside the room towards her kids.

“First of all,” Dr. Morgan began, “I must congratulate you, Phil, for the achievement. I know Skye wasn’t calling you dad last week.”

A small smile appeared on Melinda’s face as Phil talked about how Skye had called him dad in the middle of the confrontation yesterday. “She said she knew I wouldn’t let him hurt her. That means so much,” Phil said.

“It does. It is a big step for Skye.” Melinda saw the moment Dr. Morgan decided to switch the topic. “How are you both holding up after everything that happened?”

“Like I should wrap them in cotton and keep them at home,” Melinda answered.
“We’re trying to stay strong for the kids, but it’s been really hard. I keep replaying the incident in my mind and thinking of what-ifs,” Phil said.

“It’s completely understandable to feel this way. You’ve been through a traumatic experience as a family, and it’s natural to have these concerns.”
“We have scheduled sessions for ourselves with our therapist,” Phil told her.

“And that’s a good thing to do. Children often take cues from their parents, and seeing you manage your stress and emotions in healthy ways can be very reassuring for them.” They nodded in acceptance. “Let’s talk about the kids.”

“They are all hurting. Bobbi and Leo are scared. Tasha is angry and then there is Skye,” Phil said.

“That’s right. You need to keep reassuring them. They need reassurance and support.

“We’ve been trying to talk to them, letting them know it’s okay to feel scared or angry,” Melinda spoke.

“It’s great that you’re trying to communicate and spend time together. One strategy you might find helpful is setting aside a specific time each day for family discussions, where everyone can share how they’re feeling and support each other. This routine can help the kids feel more secure and understood.”

That sounded like a wonderful idea. Dr. Morgan encouraged them to continue spending time as a family unit. She asked them to include their parents too. “The kids need a support system and grandparents can be wonderful at that.” They also talked more about the plan for school and how it needed to be worked with all the kids. Melinda could see the merit in that thought.

When Melinda exited her room, her kids immediately walked to her. Melinda led them out to the car. They needed to pick Phil’s car from the school but that would have to wait. Skye handed her a drawing and Melinda marvelled at how good the girl was in expressing her emotions through sketches. She could see Skye’s inner turmoil on the paper. She could see the fear Skye was feeling and also the anger. She hugged her daughter and repeated reassurances.

They would heal from this.

Skye woke up, rubbing her eyes. She was in a big bed with a warm and comfy blanket over her. She frowned. She didn’t remember coming here last night. In fact, the last thing that she remembered was watching Home Alone with her parents, siblings and grandparents. She remembered resting her head on Bobbi’s shoulder. But she didn’t remember the trip up the stairs and into this comfy bed. She sat up stretching her limbs. Last few days had been a rollercoaster - not that Skye had ever been on one. First the incident outside school, then finding out that the man - Calvin Zabo - was indeed her birth father, and finally the knowledge that he had hurt some people in the past and had been in prison. He would be staying there for some more time. Good, Skye thought. She didn’t want to see him again. She had a photograph though - of her birth mom. Jiaying.

She got up from the bed and walked out of the room. She could hear voices downstairs. She would join them soon, after she had freshened up. She pulled out a fresh pair of clothes from her dresser and went to the bathroom for a shower. She hadn’t had a nightmare last night. She had slept through the night. Yes. The knowledge delighted her. She hurriedly finished her shower and rushed downstairs to her family.

Her mom was doing some tai chi in the living room with Lian. William was sitting with the newspaper and Julie was in the kitchen. Her dad was outside with her siblings. They must be playing in the snow. Her mom left tai chi to greet her. “Good morning, baby girl,” she said.

“Good morning mom,” Skye wished her and then everyone else.  Breakfast was eggs and bacon. Skye ate it, while watching her mom do tai chi. She was so good at it and she looked so beautiful. Skye admired her, hoping that she could be like her. It was a wonderful thought to want to be like someone. Skye usually met people she didn’t want to be like. It felt good to have role model.

“She is beautiful, isn’t she?”

Skye looked at the source of the voice. It was her dad - he had ditched his snow jacket. She nodded at him. He smiled. “The first time I saw her, she was doing that. I could barely look away. She tried to teach me. But watching her brings me more peace.” Skye smiled at him. She loved hearing these little stories from their past.

“Have you ever eaten congee, Skye?” Lian asked her.
Skye shook her head. “What is that?”
“Well you will have to eat to find out.”

Skye grinned. She liked Lian. She liked all three of them. They didn’t push her and they listened too. And William was like Phil - he avoided being alone with Skye. Skye felt safe with these people. That reminded her that she needed to get presents for them. That meant going out of the house. She was doing better about it. They had been to the park - biking, playing in the snow. School still sounded a little scary but going out didn’t.

“Angel eyes?” her dad called for her attention. Skye looked at him. “Mel and I wanted to talk to you.” Skye nodded even as the old fear rose up in her chest. She squashed it down. Talking to her mom and dad wasn’t a bad thing. She took her plate to the kitchen but Julie shooed her out, telling her that she would take care of it.

Skye followed her parents to their study, where she sat between them on the couch. She looked at both of them, wondering what they wanted to talk about.

“Skye, baby girl, your birth father, Calvin Zabo -”

“I don’t want to talk about him,” Skye interrupted her mom. She got a look in response for interrupting her. “Sorry,” Skye said, looking at her feet.

Her mom cupped her chin and lifted her head. “I know that you don’t want to talk about him, Skye. And I understand. But this is important. Okay?” Skye nodded. Her mom continued, “He has decided to give up his paternal rights.”

“What does that mean?” Skye asked.

“It means,” her dad spoke, “that he won’t have any legal claim on you. That he would never be able to take you away from us. When you grow up and are over eighteen, you can decide whether or not you want to meet him. But it will be your decision.”

Skye thought about this. She would never have to worry about being away from her family. She would be in control. She never wanted to see that man again. And it helped knowing that she wouldn’t have to.

Her thoughts were interrupted as her dad left her side and went to his desk. He pulled open a drawer and took out a wrapped present. It was a thin rectangular box. He walked back to her and handed her the box, sitting beside her. She opened it, excited. It had a card inside it. The card was hand drawn - six people stood in front of the house. Two parents and four kids. It was them. She opened the card and read the words written inside.

Hey Skye,
We are so glad to have you in our life and in our family. We are so proud of you and we love you so much. We want to make things official.
Would you please give us your permission to adopt you?
Love,
Mom & Dad

Skye read it again and again, until her vision was blurred by tears. They wanted to adopt her. They wanted her to be a permanent part of her family. They wanted her.

“Skye,” her dad said in a panicked tone. Skye threw her arms around him. It was awkward, with her trying to not let the card fall and trying to hold her mom too but they managed it. He wiped her tears. “Is that a yes, angel eyes?” he asked. Skye nodded.

“It will take some time, baby girl,” her mom said. Skye looked at her. “The procedures take a lot of time. It will take months before we get the adoption finalized.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Skye said. And it didn’t. What mattered was that they wanted her.

Skye stayed in their embrace for a long time before she asked to be excused. She went to her room. Her room. Her family. Her home. She wished her tears would stop. Why was she even crying? She should be dancing in joy. Why wasn’t she dancing in joy? Not knowing what else to do, Skye began drawing. It did soothe her, just like Dr. Morgan had said it would. She drew a girl. She was standing in front of a house. The door was open and a couple was standing in the doorway. There were faces peeping out of the windows. Her family.

A knock on the door interrupted Skye from admiring her artwork. “Come in,” she said. It was Bobbi. Skye smiled at her but she knew that her tear-stained face had worried Bobbi. She picked up the card and handed it to her older sister. Bobbi took it and read it. A grin broke on Bobbi’s face, as she pulled Skye into a hug.

“Hey! This is a good thing, right?” Bobbi asked. Skye nodded. Bobbi smiled at her.
“I love you,” Skye said.
“I love you too,” Bobbi said.

Skye remembered the sketches she had been making for her family. She pulled out the paper pad and handed it to Bobbi. She watched as her older sister looked at the sketches. She was done with all of them except for the one she was making for Bobbi. “These are awesome, Skye. Everyone’s going to love them. Why haven’t you made mine yet?”

Skye grinned at her. She liked teasing Bobbi. “What did you get for me?” she asked. Bobbi narrowed her eyes at Skye and then reached for Skye, tickling her. Skye fought back, battling her hands away. “Noooo Bobbi!” Skye managed to pull away and immediately ran out of the room. Bobbi chased her. “Save me mama!” Skye shouted, hiding behind her mom.

“This is cheating,” Bobbi said. “You can’t include mom.” Skye poked her tongue at her and then yelped as Tasha started tickling.

“No…Tasha, you are supposed to be on my team.” Skye ran from both her sisters and Leo teamed up with her. They chased each other around over the house, with their dad cheering for both of the teams. Finally, they all teamed up and attacked him.

“How are you guys feeling about school tomorrow?” Bobbi asked. They were in her room, deciding to stay there for the night. They had gone to the school in the evening and had met the school counsellor, Mr. Nash, and had worked on the plan for school. Their teachers had been briefed about the situation and Skye - and Leo - had been assured that they could approach their teachers for help. In addition to that, they had permission to go to Mr. Nash’s office and call their parents, if things feel overwhelming.

“Scared,” Leo answered Bobbi’s question.
“Yeah,” Skye added her agreement.

“Just seven hours,” Natasha said. They looked at her. “It’s just seven hours at school. And then Lian will pick us up and we will be home.”

“It’s nine for me,” Bobbi said. She had basketball practice on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She had missed her practice and her game this week.

“Yes, and dad will be there with you,” Tasha said. Bobbi nodded. Skye felt a little jealous. She wished she was in the same school as her dad. That way she could just go find him whenever she needed to.

“Let’s talk about something else,” Leo suggested. “Have you guys thought of presents?”
“Yeah! I hope we can go shopping soon,” Bobbi said.
“I need to get something for Clint and Laura. Rest everyone is done.”
“I can’t think of anything for Trip. I was thinking of garden tool set for William. But I don’t know what to get for Lian and Julie.”
“You can get a throw blanket from Julie,” Tasha suggested. “She would love those. And for Lian…” She looked at others.
“Maybe a tea gift set,” Leo suggested. “She loves teas.”

“What are you guys giving them?” Bobbi asked. “I got a cookbook for grandma, a yoga mat for Lao Lao and binoculars for Lao Ye. He likes birdwatching.”

“We are making a scrapbook for them,” Leo said.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Skye asked, pouting.
“Why wouldn’t you tell us what you are getting for mom and dad?” Tasha asked, sticking her tongue out.
“Because it’s a surprise.”
“You told Bobbi,” Leo complained.
“Because I am her favourite.”
“Excuse me. I am her favourite. She is learning French and she also knows ASL.”
“How does that matter?”
“I am her favourite. We are together almost whole day.”
“It’s me.”
“Me.”
“Me.”

Skye couldn’t help it. They were fighting over her. She threw her head back and she laughed.