Morrison sighed. According to witnesses, Dylan made some unkind comments. That doesn't excuse physical violence, but we're addressing both issues. Dylan's mother showed up 15 minutes later, and the whole thing devolved into accusations and defensive parenting. Lena just sat there processing the fact that Marcus had gotten in a fight defending her.
This kid, who wasn't hers, who'd only known her 3 months, had split someone's lip because they'd insulted her. They left with a 3-day suspension and a lecture about conflict resolution that Marcus clearly wasn't listening to. In the car, Lena waited until they were on the highway before speaking. You can't hit people. I know.
I don't care what they say. Violence isn't the answer. I know. So, why'd you do it? Marcus was quiet for a long moment.
Because he was wrong. You're not charity. You're He stopped. You're family. The word hit her like a punch to the chest.
Family. This kid who'd lost his parents, who'd been bounced through the system, who'd learned not to get attached because people always left. He was calling her family. Marcus, I know you're going to leave eventually, he said, staring out the window. Everyone does, but you're here now.
And Dylan had no right to talk about you like that. Lena pulled over. They were on a side street nowhere important, but she couldn't drive and have this conversation at the same time. Look at me, she said. He did reluctantly.
I'm not leaving. You say that now? No. Listen to me. She waited until she had his full attention.
I'm not perfect. I mess up. I burn dinner and I don't always know what I'm doing and I'm probably breaking a dozen parenting rules every day. But I'm not leaving. Not today.
Not next month. Not when things get hard. You're stuck with me. Understand? Marcus's eyes went suspiciously shiny.
Promise? I promise? He nodded once, sharp, then looked away. Can we go home now? Yeah, we can go home.
That night, she called Adrien. How bad is it? He asked as soon as he picked up. 3-day suspension, but he's fine. I should come back.
Um, you should finish your meetings. I've got this, Lena. He got in a fight. That's not I should be there. He got in a fight because some kid insulted me.
We talked. We're good. She paused. He called me family, Adrien. Silence on the other end.
Are you still there? She asked. Yeah, I'm His voice was rough. Yeah. Is that okay that he said that?
Is it okay? He laughed, but it sounded choked. Lena, I've been trying to figure out how to ask you to stay permanently for the past month. The fact that Marcus beat me to it is just He stopped. Of course, it's okay.
Her heart was doing something complicated in her chest. You want me to stay permanently? Yes, but not because I need help with the kids or someone to manage the house because he exhaled. This probably isn't the conversation to have over the phone. Then when?