“Thanks but I can’t—I feel bad.”

Julie cut her off. “Don’t feel bad about going out of your way to make your brother’s life better. Kids are expensive—kids who have experienced trauma are even more expensive. Honestly it is my pleasure to help you—I wish all of my foster parents were as involved as you are.”

Shane smiled and thanked her again, then walked out to her car.

She sat there for a good ten minutes and just processed all of the info that she had just received, then she called Alice to meet up for coffee.

**************************************************

“So what? You just aren’t going to tell Carmen until the ink has dried on the adoption papers? Come on Shane, that’s so fucked up!”

Alice and Shane were sitting in the planet drinking coffee and splitting a scone. Shane had met up with her to talk about the whole thing, plus she figured there was no one better than Alice to help her find Carla—Alice knew everyone, and if she didn’t she could usually at least figure out where they were.

“That’s not what I’m saying. It’s just—it’s a big fucking deal, you know? I don’t want to stress Carmen out.”

Alice narrowed her eyes and stared at her best friend.

“Fine.” She said. “You want to bottle your feelings up until they all spill out of you in a coke-fueled binge then there is nothing I can do. But I’m here if you need me—seriously. I know this is a lot for you to handle, you aren’t good with commitment and it seems to be thrown in your face all the time. I mean honestly I’m shocked you and Carmen are still together—much less living together as a functional couple raising a kid. I mean that in the best way possible—I’m really proud of you.”

Shane gave her friend a lopsided grin and leaned in for a hug. “Thanks. That really means a lot.”

“Ok enough. No more hugging. You’re boring suburban life may rub off on me.”

Shane pulled away and grabbed her phone off the table.

“Hey I need to make a couple calls outside but I’m meeting Carmen in here in about an hour for lunch if you want to join?”