Part 20

Part 20

While standing in my walker playing with the toys attached to it, the caseworker told Mike and Heather that the action plan will still be reunification, that they would prefer me to be with my mother as long as she completes more classes, stay clean, and have suitable housing. Heather asked her if they are going to put her into a 90 day treatment program facility or will it be out patient.

“We can’t force her to do what’s right so it will be outpatient.” The caseworker said.

“What if she wants to go in, will the State pay for that?” Mike said.

“We want her to be willing to do this for herself, for her child.” The caseworker said.

“No disrespect Ma’am but that wasn’t my question. Do you need me to reiterate the question for you so you can provide me with the correct answer?” Mike said

“No Sir that’s not necessary. The only way we would pay for it is if it was court ordered by a Judge only.” The caseworker answered.

“We’re willing to pay for her to go into a 90 day program, this way she can get the help she needs, without any distractions, and gain her daughter back.” Heather said

“You guys are willing to pay for it out of your own pocket?” The caseworker replied looking amazed.

“She’s like a sister to me, so yes we are. She needs to raise her own child” Mike mentioned.

The caseworker told them that she will run it past her and see what she thinks about it, but can’t make any promises. Then she went back to around the time I arrived here and was telling them that when my umbilical cord was tested for drugs, there were large amounts of cocaine, PCP, and Opioids. My mom has been failing the drug screening since I was born and they started to test her three times a week, she has failed every one of them. The caseworker stated that she wants mom to be successful but she needs to cover all bases. She asked Heather and Mike that if mom cannot get and stay clean would they be willing to adopt me if that end up being on the table. Before I had a chance to look at them they both answered yes. I didn't know how to feel, if my mom gets better I would want to be with her but if she doesn't I want to stay here with them, it's a lot to deal with and my emotions are everywhere. In some ways I would like my mom to get better so I can learn this person Mike tells me about, then there's other times which is more often than not, I would rather her to leave and never come back because of all she has put me through already. I'm confused on how to feel at this point.

Not too long after they answered the case worker's questions she took my picture and went on her way. Mike and Heather just sat there for a little, then Heather asked Mike to make breakfast, and Mike yelled out she has no standing. They laughed the entire conversation off and we moved throughout the day like nothing ever happened. A lot of laughter, eating, everyone trying to teach me how to crawl; but I didn't want to crawl, I want to walk. I protested this crawling thing and just laid there watching everyone make fools of themselves, and laughing at them.