Page 4 of Aussie
She smiled. “Yeah, your room. You’ll have your own bedroom at my place. I figured we could pick out some stuff you’d like. You know, make it feel like yours.”
Christian blinked, then sat back in his seat, staring at her in disbelief. “I thought I’d just sleep on the couch or something. I mean, I don’t need a whole room.”
Ava smiled softly, shaking her head. “Christian, of course, you’ll have your own room. I want you to feel at home. You deserve that.”
He seemed stunned, his eyes darting around as if he was still processing what she’d said. “I’ve never really had my own space like that,” he mumbled. “At all the foster homes I’ve lived at, they just kinda put me wherever.”
Ava’s chest tightened. She knew how that felt, being shuffled from place to place, never really feeling like you belonged anywhere. “Well, that changes now. My home is your home for as long as you want it. I want you to be comfortable. So, what do you want in your room?”
Christian was quiet for a moment, then hesitated before speaking. “Maybe…I don’t know, a desk? Somewhere to do schoolwork and stuff.”
“We can do that,” Ava nodded. “Anything else? You can go all out, you know.”
He shrugged, his nerves showing in the way he fidgeted with his napkin. “I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about it.”
Ava leaned forward, her tone gentle. “Take your time. We’ll figure it out together.”
Christian shifted again, clearly uneasy with the attention on him, but then his gaze met hers. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Why’d you take me in? I mean, you didn’t have to. You could’ve just let me go back to the state and let them deal with me.”
Ava set her slice down and wiped her hands, her expression softening. She had known this question was coming eventually. “Because I’ve been where you are,” she began, her voice quiet but steady. “I grew up in foster care too. I bounced around a lot, just like you. When I was seventeen, I ran away from my foster parents. They were not good people. They were abusive, both physically and verbally. And the system I was in didn’t really care. So, I saved up some money, and I took off.”
Christian’s eyes widened as his attention was fully on her now. Ava continued, her voice calm, but the weight of those memories was still heavy in her heart. “I didn’t know where I was going. I just knew I couldn’t stay. Then, I met Evelyn on a bus heading toward Virginia Beach. Long story short, she took me in, no questions asked. She gave me a home when no one else would. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for her.”
Christian was quiet, digesting her words. After a few seconds, he asked, “So you think I’m like you?”
Ava smiled. “I think you’re a lot like me. You’re tough, but you don’t need to do it all on your own. And more importantly, I don’t want anyone telling you what you have to do when it comes to your interests. Your foster parents tried to make you someone you’re not, and that’s not okay. You deserve to be yourself, Christian. Always.”
Christian’s expression softened, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he reached into his backpack and pulled out a folded brochure, handing it to Ava. She took it, unfolding the paper.It was a brochure for a college and career fair being held that weekend in the city. But she noticed that on the brochure was the U.S. Navy’s emblem with some pictures that Christian had circled.
Ava looked at him curiously. “College fair, huh? Does the military, particularly the Navy, interest you?”
Christian nodded, his face lighting up with a rare enthusiasm. “Yeah, I want to be a Navy SEAL. I’ve been reading up on it. There are a lot of requirements, like physical fitness, leadership skills, and teamwork. It’s tough, but I’ve been preparing.” He leaned forward, his voice gaining more confidence as he spoke. “You have to be really dedicated, but I’ve been running and working out every day. I know I still have a long way to go, but I want to be ready. And I want to go to this event and learn more. Plus, I heard that one of the SEAL teams are going to be there and will be doing a demonstration.”
Ava was genuinely impressed by Christian’s ambition, his research, and his drive. It all reminded her of herself when she was his age, determined to find her way despite everything. “Wow, Christian,” she said, her tone full of admiration. “I had no idea you were so into this. I’m really impressed.”
Christian blushed a little, not used to the praise. “Thanks. I just think it’s something I could be good at.”
Ava smiled. “I think you’d be great at it. And I’d love to take you to this.”
His eyes lit up. “Really? That’d be awesome.”
“Absolutely. We’ll make it happen.”
They continued eating, and the conversation flowed more easily now. Christian seemed more relaxed, more open. As they finished lunch, Christian looked at her with a curious smile. “So, what’s next?”
Ava chuckled, wiping her hands with a napkin. “Next? We’re going grocery shopping.”
Christian’s eyes widened with excitement. “Really? That’s awesome!”
Ava laughed, a little surprised by his reaction. “You’re excited about grocery shopping?”
He nodded quickly. “Yeah! My last foster family never asked me what I wanted to eat. They just bought whatever they liked, and I had to eat it.”
Ava’s heart ached at that. The idea of Christian never having a say in something as simple as what food he liked felt so wrong. She was determined to make sure he knew that her home,hishome, would be different.
