Chapter 1
"Breakfast is ready," Marta called to her husband. Placing his food on the table, she poured the coffee, calling again, "Hurry up, honey-you're going to be late if you don't get a move on."
By now, Lee was standing in the shower trying to waken himself, and didn't hear one word his wife was saying. A quick spray of hot, then cold water did it, and he soon was ready to roll. Drying off, and slipping into his clothes, quickly, he hurried out to breakfast.
"How many times have I told you not to pour my coffee until I'm at the table?"
"I'm sorry," Marta smiled, going on with her reading of the newspaper, in between sips of coffee.
Earl, their fourteen year old blonde-headed son, with shoulder length hair that upset his father continually, asked, "May I be excused-I've got to split for school!"
Marta nodded, glancing up a moment to smile at him, "Certainly-have a good day son."
"And get your haircut," his father called after him, not glancing up as he intently read the sports section.
When Earl was gone, Marta said softly, "Honey, I've been meaning to speak to you about something-"
"I'm listening," Lee assured her, never taking his eyes off the paper.
"It's about Earl," she began, "He's lonely. He needs a brother. He would learn to share, and they could grow up together-you never have time for-"
"Don't bring that up when I'm already late to work," Lee snapped, rising from the table, and adjusting his tie at the mirror above the buffet.
"I'm sorry," Marta told him, "but you always get home late, and then you say you're tired and don't want to talk about it-"
"Is it my fault I'm exhausted meeting all those impossible people every day. Selling is no snap! I wish I could stay home all day and relax a little-"
"But you never find time for anything," Marta continued complaining as he made his way rapidly to the front door. "You find time for bowling every Wednesday night and-" But Lee didn't hear another word, for he'd gone out the door without once looking back, leaving his wife alone with the dirty dishes, and the monotony of daily household chores staring her in the face.
As she picked the dishes up off the table, and rinsed them before she put them in the dishwasher, she decided she'd get to the store early before it was crowded and save some time that way.
She was quick, and it didn't take her long to get the kitchen mess cleaned up, slip on a jacket and head for the nearest shopping center. She decided the exercise would do her good, and went on foot. Passing the nearby high school, she saw the husky young high school football players on the field.
Some of the young men looked so virile, so appealing, Marta found herself wishing she was their age again. They were a handsome lot, robust, and healthy. She was reminded once more of how wonderful it would be if her son had a brother.
Then and there, she made up her mind she must have another son, a brother for Earl. It was something she felt she had every right to. If Lee couldn't listen to her, perhaps she could present him with a photo of some unfortunate boy who needed a home, and thus be able to convince him.
When she finished her shopping, and went back home, she thought it wouldn't hurt to phone the Foster Home Services Center and explain, "I would like to adopt a boy. My fourteen year old son is an only child, and it's not good for him to grow up alone."
"Of course," the voice on the other end of the line agreed.
"Would you have any boys about fourteen or fifteen that we might consider for adoption?"
"Yes, we do," the woman assured her, "Now, when would you like to come down and meet them?"
"I wonder if it would be possible, let's say, this afternoon?"
"Just a moment-"
As she waited, Marta felt her heart beating rapidly, for she was so eager to have another son.
"Why, yes, that would be just fine. To whom am I speaking."
"Marta Kirby," she replied, "And what time should I come?"
"Four would be fine," the woman told her.
"Very good, I'll be there at four."
The hours swept by swiftly, and soon it was time to go to check out the young boys available for adoption at the Foster Home Service Center. She decided to wear something simple, so it wouldn't overpower some poor orphan boy. Even though Marta and Lee had it made, and lived in a hilltop home in suburbia, she didn't want to try to impress the young boy, she might select as a" son.
Picking out a beige pant suit that went with her brown hair, she gave a quick last-glance in the mirror, and then went out to her car. As she drove down there, she kept thinking about Lee, her husband, wishing he had the consideration to go with her.
The rather drab, old brick building with its small sign told her quickly any boy would probably be glad to get out of such a hole. She went in, and at the front desk was directed to the woman in charge of placement, Mildred Evans down the hall. Going into her office, Marta introduced herself, "I'm Mrs. Kirby," she began, "I phoned you about adopting a boy-about fourteen or fifteen."
"Why, yes, Mrs. Kirby, won't you please sit down."
Pulling up a chair, Marta began explaining why she wanted a second son, "You see I was brought up in a big family. We learned how to give-and-take. I'm afraid my husband and I have spoiled Earl our only boy."
"That is a danger with an only child," Miss Evans smiled understandingly, "Go on-"
"Even though I'm only thirty five and could have more children, I've decided against it. The age gap between a baby and our fourteen year old son Earl would be too much. Yet, he needs someone, and it seems the wisest thing to adopt a boy about his age."
"Very good-and does your husband agree with you?"
She hesitated a moment. "Why, yes-he does."
"What does your husband do for a living?"
"He's a salesman," Marta smiled, "He makes good money and we have a comfortable life. We could afford another son if that's what bothers you."
"Nothing bothers me!" Miss Evans smiled, "But naturally we are concerned that we place our young people where they will be given the best of care. From all you've told me, I think you and your husband would be good parents."
"Thank you-I would like to meet some of the boys you have."
"That is a ticklish proposition," Miss Evans explained, "We don't like to interview any more boys than we have to-as it builds their hopes up, and lets them down if someone decides not to take them."
"Of course-"
"Well," Miss Evans continued, "There is one boy I have in mind that might be the one you are looking for. But, I will let you talk to two of them so you can decide for yourself-"
She gave Marta a photo of a sandy-haired boy with an impish grin. His eyes looked bright, and he appeared to have a good disposition."
"What's his name?"
"That's Calvin," Miss Evans smiled, "He's fourteen, very rugged little fellow-likes to hike and-"
"He's a nice boy but I don't think he would be the one-what about the other boy you mentioned?"
Miss Evans smiled, "Well, I suppose he is the most desirable-but I always like to give the other boy the first chance."
Taking back Calvin's picture, she gave her a picture of a handsome black-haired, black-eyed boy with olive skin, and sensuous lips that made Marta do a double-take.
"He's good looking-"
"Isn't he, though?"
As Marta marveled at his curly black hair, the friendly smile, displaying his even white teeth, she said softly, "He obviously comes from a good background. You can tell that."
Edgily, Miss Evans began, "Well, his background does leave a little to be desired. His father was sent to the penitentiary for killing a man, and his mother committed suicide."
She crowded all of these facts close together in a rapid-fire delivery, as if she was trying to get over the negative aspects of her young charge as quick as possible.
"What's his name?"
"Gregg," she smiled, "He's really a good kid, and he'd love to get out of here-would you like to meet him."
"Why, yes, I would," Marta assured her.
"Alright, I'll go to our school and get a pass to bring him to my office."
When Miss Evans was gone, Marta was tempted to read the young boy's background report lying there on the desk. Rising, she walked over, and glanced down to read.
"Gregg was returned amidst conflicting stories. The foster parent alleging he tried to seduce her one night when her husband was gone, and Gregg claiming the opposite was true. Insomuch, as his foster father would not join the foster mother in her assertion, there is reason to doubt this-"
"Oh, Mrs. Kirby, you shouldn't be looking at our confidential files," Miss Evans remonstrated.
"I'm sorry-"
Miss Evans went behind her desk, quickly slipping the file away. "Gregg-meet Mrs. Kirby."
"Hi, Mrs. Kirby," Gregg smiled warmly, and the moment their eyes met, she had a warm feeling toward him, "Hi, Gregg."
"Why don't you ask Gregg about some of his interests?" Miss Evans suggested, delighted the two of them seemed to like each other.
"Well, I like to just let him say whatever he wants to," Mrs. Kirby smiled agreeably.
"You have a son about my age?" he asked quietly.
"Yes," Mrs. Kirby smiled, "I'm sure he'd like to have you as his brother-"
"What does he like to do?"
"Oh, he likes to swim-he goes on weekend hikes-"
"I'd like that," Gregg enthused, "When do you think-?"
"First, we have to have Mr. Kirby meet you-and we have some checking that must be done," Miss Evans said, trying not to build up his hopes too quickly.
"Well, Gregg-we'll come back and see you soon," Mrs. Kirby assured him.
What surprised Gregg-was how soon. For the very next day, Marta Kirby brought her husband to visit with him. As Mr. Kirby talked with Gregg, he developed a fondness for him almost as if he was his own son.
"So you like to go to football games," he smiled, "So does Earl-you two would have a good time."
The interview lasted about half an hour, after which Miss Evans dismissed Gregg, and thanked the Kirbys for coming. The checkout took about eight days, and when it was completed, Miss Evans phoned to tell the good news to Marta.
"I've got some good news for you," she began, "Gregg can be with your family this weekend. Our checkout has been completed, and you and your husband passed all of our criteria with flying colors."
"That's wonderful," Marta enthused, "When can I bring him home with me?"
"This is Thursday-how would tomorrow afternoon be?"
"Fine," Marta assured her.
That night when Lee Kirby came home from work, Marta told him the good news.
"I waited until you got home honey so you could break it to Earl. We don't want him to be jealous, of course-so we must present it to him the right way."
"I'll take care of that," Lee assured her. When dinner was over, and Earl was going to his room to do his homework, his father stopped him, "Son-I want to talk to you a minute."
Turning around, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy asked, "What about Dad?"
"Son-we're thinking of adopting another boy-so you can have a brother to pal around with. What do you think of that?"
"That's okay," he said, "If you and Mom want to, it's alright with me."
"We want what's best for all of us," his father explained, "If you had someone to share your fun with-your hikes, going to games-whatever, I think you'd have a lot more fun."
"How old is he?"
"Fifteen," his father told him.
"This weekend I can't take him on our Nature Hike," Earl cut in quickly, "They won't let us bring somebody else along who doesn't belong unless we notify the leader one week in advance."
"I see," Lee nodded, sighing, and secretly wondering if this was simply some kind of an excuse, demonstrating jealousy surfacing already. "Alright, son-but Gregg will go with you the next time, because he belongs in there just like you."
"Yes, Dad," Earl replied.
And then, without another word, he turned and went up to his room. This left his father a bit perplexed as to how he really felt about suddenly having a brother.
"Honey," Lee said, walking into the kitchen where his wife was pulling dishes out of the dishwasher to put them away, "I don't know how much Earl likes the idea of us taking in Gregg."
"At first it's a new idea to him," Marta said confidently, "but as soon as he gets used to having someone else to think of besides himself, it'll work out-"
Less confident, Lee mused, "I hope so!"
"Can't he go with him on the hike this weekend?" Marta asked.
"No, he says you have to notify the leader way in advance-"
"Then, he could go bowling with you, dear-that would be just fine," she promptly suggested.
"No, it wouldn't," Lee said flatly, "I can't just bring along a kid and suddenly introduce him, 'meet my new son'-I've got to tell them about him first."
"I guess you're right," she nodded, beginning to see problems arising even before he set foot in the house.
"You can take him out to a movie-or you can stay home and watch teevee-he'll be some company for you."
"Yeah," Marta replied softly.