Caller: Hello may speak with Ms. Shane McCutcheon

Shane: This is here.

Vivian: Hello my name is Vivian and we are from child services. I have a Shay McCutcheon here. Is a relative of yours.

Shane: Yes he’s my brother. What’s going on?

Vivian: I’m sorry to inform you that your father Gabriel McCutcheon has been locked up for drug possession and we had to take Shay into our custody until a suitable guardian could be found. Shay told me to call you that you would take him in. Is that correct Ms. McCutcheon?

My head is spinning and I can feel Carmen’s hand on my shoulder.

Vivian: Ms. McCutcheon are you still there.

Shane: Yes I will. I will take him.

Vivian: Ok. Ms. McCutcheon I have to inform you though that some things need to be in order before you are ready to take guardianship. Shay will need to have his own room and be enrolled in school. You also need to have insurance to insure that his medical needs are meet. If you have all of these things in order by next Thursday then you can drive down here and we can go to family court to get the paperwork finalized.

Shane: Where will he be until then?

Vivian: He will be housed in a group home.

Shane: Fuck. Could I talk to him?

Vivian: Sure let me get him.

While she waited to get Shay my head was spinning out of control. How could Gabe fuck up so bad? Shane wasn’t surprised it was over drugs but she didn’t want Shay to be in home. Carla was nowhere to be found and Shane was all he had.

Shay: Shane. I’m scared.

Shane: Don’t worry buddy I will get you out of there. Can you hold off until next Thursday and I swear that you will be out of there and here with me.

Shay: Ok Shane. I’m going to go lay down now.

Shane: Ok

Shay: Shane

Shane: Yea Shay?

Shay: I love you.

Shane: I love you too little man.

The phone went dead and the tears just started to stream down her face. She couldn’t stand up anymore and just slumped to the floor. The whole time Carmen held her while she cried.