Page 98 of The Mentor
Raven’s mother, Heidi, was still at Tranquility, which was one of three places of reflection in our area.
“We missed you the other day,” I told her as we sat in a sunroom overlooking the green gardens. “Raven was hoping you would make it.”
“I know, and I feel bad about it.” Heidi looked to the floor, her long dark hair falling down her forehead like curtains designed to hide her delicate features and keep people out. “But that’s why I want you to adopt her.”
“What happened?”
“I wanted to come, but…” Her eyes were everywhere but on me.
“But what?”
She played nervously with her wristband and shook her head. “I just didn’t have the energy. You don’t understand what it’s like to be depressed. Most days I wouldn’t even make it out of bed if the helpers here didn’t insist on it,” she explained.
I knew what depression looked like, since I had watched Christina fall into a deep dark hole of despair once. But I hadn’t experienced it myself, and it was hard for me to fully understand how a mother could give up on her daughter like Heidi had given up on Raven.
“I’m not here to judge you,” I said softly. “I’m here because I want to help Raven, and although I’m not in a position to adopt her myself, I know who would be the perfect mother for her.”
CHAPTER 26
Big News
Kya
Everything inside of me was bubbling with joy when I walked up the stairs to Boulder’s and Christina’s large house.
They knew I was coming, as I had already spoken to Christina and suggested that I would come straight to them and tell them about our trip to the Motherlands.
I had been gone for eleven days, but Christina greeted me like it had been a month, hugging me and talking at the same time.
“We already know some of the highlights since we went to the school last night. It was so good to see all the children again, and you should’ve seen Raven.” Christina’s face softened in a sweet laugh. “It was as if she and Alexander were glued together.”
“Alexander? Since when do you call Boulder by his first name?” I asked.
We had walked into the living room and Christina took a seat on the sofa, pulling her legs up underneath her like she always did. “Since I agreed to take his last name.”
“You didn’t!” I breathed in surprise.
She lifted her chin. “I knew you wouldn’t understand, and it wasn’t an easy decision either. But now with the baby and all, he has been begging me daily. To him it means the world that we are his family and we have his last name.”
“But what about your name? I always thought Christina Sanders was a really nice name.”
“Me too, but now I will be Christina Boulder.”
I plunked down on the sofa next to her. “And I thoughtIwas bringing the news.”
Christina held up a hand. “Wait, I promised Alexander that I would call for him when you got here. He’s in his office, but he doesn’t want to miss out on anything you have to say.” She shouted through the house for him before she asked: “Is it true that Archer got netted?”
“Yes, it’s true.” I nodded.
“Hey, stranger.” The deep rumble of Boulder’s voice made me look up. “Good to see you safely returned.”
“Thank you. Wow, I see the beard is back.” My head turned to Christina. “What happened? Did you lose a bet or something?”
“I don’t need my wife’s permission to grow a beard,” Boulder said and took a seat.
“But don't forget that you promised not to let it grow as long as it was when I first met you,” she said quickly.
“I won’t.” Boulder looked at me. “Christina has been dying for you to come and tell us about your trip.”
