Yes, lots of room for one more.

            The five of them huddled over the table and talked about when Danny might be coming home to stay. They knew the future could still be rocky, but they were willing to risk it.

            "Son, no matter what, I love you and so does mom. Never forget that." Larry stood back and looked at his family, all of them.

            "I know," the boy answered.

            Larry looked at his son carefully. He stared into his face, trying to see any amused, cynical or cocky expression. There was none. The boy called Danny returned the gaze, eyes flicking to the left at his new mom. He was a bit uneasy, unable to figure them out. “After what I did at Economy Lake, you still want me?" he asked.

            And everyone shouted, "Yesss!!!!"

            He looked over this new set of parents, knowing he’d been through similar scenes before. But, this time he knew for sure, it was going to be different.

Danny now had a family, with a Mom and a Dad who loved him. And his very own brother and sister, too.

Now he can look forward to the future with hope. 

EPILOGUE: ONE YEAR LATER

Larry and Anne are sitting on their picnic blanket in Victoria Park. The day is sunny and they’re watching their children play ball.

            "Hit a good one Walt," Susan shouts. She's eight now. And her asthma seems to be behind her. It’s remarkable to see she's now able to run and play with the best of them.

            Walt seems to be having trouble hitting the ball.

            Both parents watch as Danny smiles and walks patiently to the plate. He takes his younger brother by both shoulders and gently re-positions him for a better swing. Walt adores his older brother who will be sixteen tomorrow.

            They're going to celebrate Danny’s birthday at Economy Lake. Mrs. Cipek is treating everyone at her campground. Even the Children’s Aid Director Barb Sloan and Deputy-Chief Delaney will be coming as invited guests.

            Andrew Delaney is coming, too.

            Larry and Anne watch as Danny continues to help Walt. Susan patiently awaits a long homerun hit.

            "Hurry up, Walt!" she yells.  

            Anne and Larry are pleased to see the children are fine now. They've all come through a lot together. 

            Walt smacks a good one.

            Larry turns to his wife, and carefully lifts her chin.

            They kiss.

CO-AUTHOR NOTES

Esther and Richard Provencher are co-authors and created stories, poems and novels in earnest when Richard suffered a stroke in 1999. This has helped recover his memory immensely, combined with prayers, a dear wife-Esther, and a great doctor-“WB”all so encouraging and inspiring in his dogged recovery.

Their work is built around a composite of incidents and personalities, with memories from four growing children, grandchildren and neighbours. A background in Social Services as well as fostering and adopting children provides additional insight. Esther and Richard live in Truro, Nova Scotia and they are very involved in Christian Outreach.