" We're gonna be a what!," Isaac exclaimed.
" A foster family," Diana repeated.
" Where the hell did this come from?," Taylor asked.
"Well, do you know that friend of mine? The one who works with the Department of Social Services?"
"You mean Fran?," Isaac said," I remember her, kind off. We met her at that barbecue we had last year!"
"Well, anyway, she told me of a 15 year old named Terry. She's an only child and her parents are divorced. Her mother really just split and her father didn't handle it very well. He started drinking a whole lot. When the drinking got worse, he started abusing her. DSS finally found out about it when she winded up in the hospital and she doesn't even think he did anything wrong! Now she's living with her social worker and her father is getting help."
"What about her mother?," Taylor asked. " I mean , they're not actually going to let her go back to a jerk like that, are they?"
"The police are trying to find her. If they do, Terry will probably go with her, but she needs a place to stay until then. She can't stay with her social worker," Diana answered.
"I'm still confused," Zac said. " Why is she staying with us? I mean, not to sound cold or anything, it's just that we don't even have room!"
"Fran wants her to be in a loving and comforting environment, and she feels that we're the perfect ones. Besides, don't you want to help?"
"Sure," Taylor said. " This is just a major surprise. We didn't expect this any more then we expected the record deal!"
"Well, it's not like we'll be doing much traveling since you'll be taking a year off," Walker reminded his sons. " I think it's a good idea. But I want you to remember; Terry's going through a really tough time right now! The worst part is, she blames herself. Just don't say anything stupid to her and be patient. She may not be all that friendly for some time."
"Sure Dad. So where is she sleeping?," Isaac asked.
"We'll be making a guest room out of the den," Walker answered.
"So when's she coming?," Jessica asked.
" She'll be here Saturday", Diana said.
She felt pleased that everyone had accepted it and she really did want to help. It was Thursday, so they had a lot to do to get ready.
