Pressing play, the tape shimmied into focus. Before them you could see Sarai’s parents in full view on their big screen plasma TV. Sabra was dressed in a silk ensemble, very colorful and jungle-like. The silk skirt had a beautiful bright green background with bright large flowers of pinks, purples, blues, and yellow. It had sequins strung down the veins of the flowers of the front only. The tank top was a beautiful silk green that matched the skirt perfectly. She wore a large brooch of a colorful flower that actually matched one of the flowers in the skirt. Her hair was black and long down her back. Her eyes were hazel. Sabra’s husband sat next to her dressed in a bright green silk shirt that matched Sabra. He had darker green silk pants on as well. He had slightly salt and peppered hair around his temples. They were both smiling. He wore a chain necklace with a mezuzah on his neck.

Smiling, they started to speak. “If you are watching this, the worse possible scenario has played out. Our real business can take us into danger. Sarai, you have known this all your life. I do not know how I and Dad died but we have factored in this possibility for a long time. We made this tape in case you lost both of us. It has been revised several times. Our hardest decision was to figure out where you would go and we didn’t want you to wind up in the foster care system. Not our beautiful, kind, caring Sarai.” Sabra took a breath as her husband continued.

“We have seen you blossom and grow before our eyes. We are so proud of you and how with your many disabilities you still see the innocence of the world and the beauty of it. You have opened up our eyes to that again. Our business only allows us the ugly side of life. You have kept us sane. You have allowed us to see through your eyes. We thank you for that. You are our greatest blessing.” The two were holding hands as they talked. They still loved each other. You could see it.

Sabra continued. “I agree. You have done that and more for us. You instilled in us a need to live, for us and for you. You have been a great blessing indeed to us. Now with that said, we have to get onto more solemn matters. This concerns you too, Brian and Justin. Please listen carefully. If we died mysteriously, please protect Sarai, she could be a target too since she is our offspring. You are probably wondering what the hell is the mystery? It is simple. We can’t say much but we work undercover for one of the important agencies. We can’t say more. We have watched how you and Justin have accepted Sarai into your home and into your life as one of your own. She has thrived there. In some ways, more than with us. You both have treated her with respect and understanding, seeming to always know what to do for her or say to her. You don’t hesitate in loving her. I am so glad she found Gus and Gus had befriended her and brought her home. You have opened our eyes to so much since we have gotten to know you and trust you with our most prized possession, not that we see her as chattel, so please say yes to what we would like to ask you. We do have a second choice if necessary but it isn’t the best place for Sarai. We would like you both to raise her and care for her. I need not even have to mention love her because we have seen that already. We know you do. So please say yes. Will you take our daughter as your own and raise her as fine as you have raised Gus?” Sabra had paused.

“Brian and Justin beamed and yelled “Yes” in unison. The father continued. “I knew you would say yes. The other alternative was not one we really wanted to contemplate. See, we know you too well.” Brian and Justin looked at each other with the same question in their eyes. ‘How the hell were they so sure?’ Sarai’s father continued. “We can read you easily Brian and Justin is so full of love. We actually did a background check on the two of you when Sarai had become involved with Gus. Don’t get all wiled up Brian. We had no choice. It is our life. We had to—for everyone’s protection. We had to be certain. Justin has always been completely open and free, as well as, loving even with all he has been through, but you Brian are amazing. For someone who had to survive a childhood like yours, it was no wonder you built up walls of protection, yet you were strong enough to finally trust another and you evolved into the person you were meant to be. Even this latest crisis hasn’t stopped that awakening in you. That is why we chose you both. You are such great role models. In what you do, your actions speak louder than words ever could and your promises are always true. You don’t surround yourself with lies anymore. You were never one to lie. It was your best quality for a long time. You both are everything we want for our daughter. Thank you.”

Sabra continued. “Sarai, you will gather your things and move in with the Kinney-Taylors. This will be a bit of a struggle for you, being relocated, grieving, and going through your teens without us but we will always be with you. You have us in your memories and your heart. I hope Brian and Justin are up for the challenge of a teenage girl going through hormonal changes.” Everyone laughed at that. Sarai yelled “Maaaah!” “Sarai, please try and not give them too hard a time. They truly care about you. They didn’t even have to think about it. I am sure they would have fought for custody if need be. Uncle Yonni has papers already prepared for both of you to sign.”

The father continued. “We know you don’t want for finances. Sarai will inherit our money at various times in her life. We have left her quite well off. Believe it. She will be a multi-billionaire before all is said and done. Brian we know you are a proud man and don’t take anything from anyone in the past but you are in our will. You will be receiving money as well as our daughter. Don’t argue. Just sign the papers. Justin, you are in our will as well as each of the members of your family that has shown love to our daughter. We never thought people like you could exist. You are so unselfish in the way you help others without the need for thanks. We admire that quality. Brian, you are never a quitter and spread your life out before you if you don’t believe that fact. Justin, you are steadfast and loyal. I have a request for both of you. Yeah, I know we already requested something big, but that was a no brainer. We knew you would. I would like you to keep Yonni as Sarai’s lawyer and allow him to see Sarai as often as he wishes. He always saw her every month at our monthly session of keeping everyone advised of our lives. This last is up to both of you. Yonni was our closest friend and ally. He is an extension of us. For a lawyer, he is trustworthy. Oh, and we have advised Yonni to come to you instead of you needing to traipse to his place. You will get better Brian. Already, you have accepted your limitations and who you are, yet you thrive to improve even more. You are an astonishing, remarkable and incredible human being as is Justin when he also fought for life and for you. So as we bid adieu, we want to thank you again for taking Sarai. Sarai, I love you. I will always love you and watch over you.”

“I love you too. Now go and listen to Yonni, fill out the papers so that he can file them today and he will read you our Last Will and Testament. We have also grown to love you two as well.” The tape ended. The paperwork and reading of the will began.

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