Your Favourite Crime

22

Damien

"Ethan, eat something, please."

My son shakes his head with furrowed eyebrows.

"Ok. Then drink some water," I say pushing a glass of water in front of him

He looks at the water before picking it up and drinking it.

"Prince Ethan, I brought you some gold fishies," Flavia comes into the living room with a bowl of gold fish and sits beside Ethan.

Ethan smiles down at his sister before taking a goldfish and eating it.

After eating a few, he leans against Adriana with a heavy sigh.

"You're gonna be ok," she assures him just before my phone starts to ring.

"Hello?" I answer

"Hey, Damien. It's Melanie, is this a good time?" I realize it's the kids social worker and step away

"Yeah," I answer

"This is very last minute but I just got a new case who needs a placement right away. You're the only person I know who takes teens. If you say yes we'll be by in an hour," she rushes out

I never turn down kids. They need a place to stay, my house is open.

"yes, of course."

"Thank you. His name is Jamiah. He's 17, we're still looking for some family or anyone that's close to him. Right now he's not in school, but he does want to finish up his last year," she tells

"Ok. Well come over. I also need to talk to you about the kids birth mother, there's been a lot going on."

____________

"Jamiah, this is Damien Carvelli. Damien, Jamiah."

"Hi. Nice to meet you," The young man says

"Nice to meet you too. Come on in," I move out of the way to let them in

Jamiah's tall, has brown skin, his hair is in a puff and he's wearing a jacket that looks like it's meant for the spring and sweatpants.

He has a backpack on as well and doesn't take it off as I take him to the living room.

"Damien has two other foster kids, like I told you. Ethan and Flavia," Melanie tells

"Ethan's 15 almost 16. And Flavia is 5 almost 6," I tell. When I look back I notice Jamiah looking around the house.

"Nice place," he says quietly

"Thank you,"

When we get to the living room Adriana and the kids are sitting quietly.

"Ethan, Flavia, this is Jamiah. He'll be staying with us for awhile. Jamiah and Melanie, my girlfriend Adriana," I introduce

Ethan stands up and the boys dap each other up.

"It's princess Flavia, King daddy," Flavia reminds me, standing behind her brother

"Right. Princess Flavia," I correct, "Why dont you guys get to know each other and I'll talk with Melanie," I single for Adriana to come with.

We move back towards the front of the house, away from earshot.

"Adriana, it's good to see you again, how's everything from since we last talked?" Melanie asks

"Nice to see you too... Things have been good. still in the process of doing everything, but it's going smoothly," Adriana answers with a smile

I know she's been trying to get her license, but I didn't know she was working with Melanie.