Bette and Tina indulged themselves in each other for the next few hours before falling fast asleep in each others armsthe next morning came quickly..and by 8:30, both Tina and Bette were at their jobs starting their days activities.Bette had appointments all morning and Tina had her share also..around noon, Bettes cell rang..
Ahits my beautiful wife. said Bette into the phone..
Who else would it be? asked Tina.
My other beautiful wife? asked Bette.
There was a sigh. Ill cut your throat Bette Porter.u only have 1 wife.and I am her
Ohhey Tina. said Bette before laughing. Cut my throat huh?
Try me said Tina..
You rang your beautiful wife for what reason? asked Bette as she sat back into her chair.
I rang to tell u that the appointment is at 4:30 today..can you make it?
I will be there.well, actually why dont you just pick me up here and we can go together?
OkayIll be there around 3:45 or so.
K baby.I love you
And I love you .. said Tinabefore she hung up her phone..
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4:15 arrived, and Bette and Tina were on their way to the meeting once there, they were invited into a room where they awaited a caseworker.
This place seems so coldlike these people are robots or something..how can they do this line of work and be that way? asked Bette.
I guess when you do it day after day.it becomes routine. said Tina just as the caseworker came in..
HiIm Miss Jennings. she said as she extended her hand to Bette..then Tina.
HiIm Bette Porter.and this is my wife Tina Kennard.
Nice to meet you both.I understand Miss Jennings started as she sat at her desk and shuffled through some papers.. That you would like to adopt a child.
Yes.. said Bette before she was interrupted
We want to adopt one child in particular.he was left on our doorstep a few weeks ago..we called the Policeand they brought in a caseworker that took Little Jack with her.He is the one that we wish to adopt..
Do you have any idea where this child .
Jack.. said Tina..
YesJack.do you have any idea where Jack is right now? asked Miss Jennings
I went and talked to the case-worker that came to our home that evening..and she informed me that he was presently in foster care. said Bette.
And what was this social workers name?
Um.lets see. started Bette
Karen.I cant remember her last name..She just said that she was a caseworker with the city of L.A.
YesI know Karen.very strange woman
You can say that again. said Bette and they all chuckled together.
Okay.I will get in touch with Karen and discuss this childs..I mean..Jacks case..In the meantime.I want to talk a little with you about what is required of our adoptive parents.and what types of paperwork will have to be done.I will start by just answering a few of your questions.and then we can go from there. said Miss Jennings.. Do either of you have any questions?
Tina reached into her purse and pulled out a small notebook.then flipped open to the first page I have a lot of questions actually she started.
T? asked Bette looking at a notebook page full of questions How many questions do you have there?
Not enough.Im sure. said Tina.. I guess the first question would be.and these are in no particular order mind you.Umhow long of a process is this?
Well. started Miss Jennings. The whole process of adoption could last anywhere between 6 months to 2 years.it just depends on how quickly the paperwork and classes are finished.
Paperwork and cla.sses? asked Bette..
Yes mamthere are several classes that we request our adoptive parents to attend and master before the adoption may become finalized.
And what types of classes are those? asked Tina..
First, there is a Family Preparation Class which would include but not limited to helping the parent with responses to crisis situations.angerfrustration.Defining major issues facing adopting children.and dealing with the stress of adoption placements.
okay said Tina
Second, there is a class on Parenting classes.this would include..Family communication skills b) Bonding and attachment skills and c) conflict management.these are just a few..and the last class is called Individual and Family Therapy Sessions..
Okay.umI would like to know the monetary situation that is involvednot that it should matter.and it doesnt money isnt an issue..I would just like to know where we stand with this? asked Bette.
The Adoption Assistance Program is a federally funded program that provides financial assistance for adopted children that have special needs. said Miss Jennings
Alright.what do we need to do to get started? asked Tina. We would like to get started ASAP so that we can bring him into our lives..
I have to warn you that not everyone is able to adopt.there are a lot of things taken into consideration.I took the liberty of putting this packet together for you..it lists everything that is needed for the process to begin.If you can get me all of this info in a few days.I will contact Karen.and we can begin.
Great. said Tina as she grabbed the packet from Miss Jennings and stood..
Have I answered all of your questions? she asked.
Yes mam.
Well, if you have any more of them..just contact me..and I will answer them.there is a lot of info in that packet .you may not even need me until you bring everything back.but if you do..here is my card. she said as she pulled one out and wrote a number on the back of it.. My cell number is on the backif you cant get me here.sometimes I am out in the neighborhoods working for the children.
Greatand Thank you said Tina as she extended her hand..Bette did the same thanks
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At home, that evening.Bette is sitting on the sofa going through the paperwork. T? she yelled
Yea..babe
Have you looked over this paperwork yet?
Nobabe.not yet.
So, then you havent read the question of how many times do we pee a dayand what kind of toilet paper we use..John Wayne or Charmin.. said Bette
There came laughter from the bedroom just before Tina showed up in the den..
What baby? she asked
I said they wanna know every intimate detail that we own. said Bette. This is just plain crazy.Come over here and sit down..bring a pillow.this could take all night just to read.
Tina came and sat down next to her wife.and looked at the paper she held in her hand..
Here we go, T..listen to this
1) Criminal Record Statement
2) Suspected Child Abuse form
3) Requirements to Report Child Abuse form
4) Letters of Recommendation.a total of 6..with 2 being from family members.
5) Emergency Care and Disaster Plan
6) floor plan of home

Oh my god T..and the list goes on..
7) DMV printouts.
8) drivers license copies
9) Social security card copies
10) Current Auto Insurance verification
11) First aid and CPR training
12) Medical reports and T.B. Testingreports.
13)

WahBette.hold onmy mind cant take all of this in. said Tina.
Shhh.Im not done yet..
13) 12 hours of initial adoptive parent training.
14) Authorization for Employment Verification.
15) Financial statement
16) Most recent tax return
17) Marriage decree
18) divorce decree..all past decrees
19) Birth Certificates
20) 3 month bonding agreement.this states that atleast one parent will be in the home at all times for the first 3 months after the adoptive child is placed with you..
21) Family picture book..Compile a book with 24 pictures of your family, home and extended family, neighborhood and activities..

Tee.this is crazy.I mean.I wear a size 6 in panties.do they need to know that? And what about what side of the bed I sleep onwhat the color of my toothbrush is..god this is too much.. said Bette
Bette.its not too much..it will be worth it when we have Jack here with us.
I knowbut we will be constantly spied on.if he falls and has a scrapethey are going to look at that.
Bette.babythey know that children have accidents.you are being a little ridiculous.
Im not being ridiculousonly realisticreality is.we will never be able to raise him without those hounds breathing down our necks. said Bette.as she got up from the sofa.. You would think that we were trying to join the CIA or something.
I dont care what it takes Bette.I want Jack here at home with uswhere he belongs..tomorrow I will start getting everything together.you dont have to raise a fingerI will do everything
No.I will help you baby.I just dont understand why they need all of this info.
Babyif you were being adopted.you would want to go to the best possible family wouldnt you.I mean you wouldnt want some prostitute adopting you would you?
Id love to see her W-2 form. laughed Bette
Tina laughed.. I love you
And I love you. said Bette.

Tbc