"Thomas E. Sniegoski - The Fallen" - читать интересную книгу автора (Sniegoski Thomas E)

her growing older, and that there would be a day when she wouldnтАЩt be around anymore.Where the hell
did that come from? he wondered. He pushed the strange and really depressing train of thought away
and attempted to think of something more pleasant.
 When theStanleys had taken him into their home as a foster child, it had been his seventh placement
since birth. What was it that the caseworkers used to say about him? тАЬHeтАЩs not a bad kid, just a bit of an
introvert with a bad temper.тАЭ Aaron smiled. He never expected the placements to last, and had imagined
that there would be an eighth, ninth, and probably even a hundredth placement before he was cut loose
from the foster care system and let out into the world on his own.

A warm pang of emotion flowed through him as he remembered the care this woman and her husband
had given him over the years. No matter how he misbehaved, or acted out, they stuck with him, investing
their time, their energy, and most importantly, their love. TheStanleys werenтАЩt just collecting a check from
the state; they really cared about him, and eventually he came to think of them as the parents he never
knew.

Gabriel had wandered over to the boy in front of the television and was licking his faceтАФAaron knew it
was only to catch the residue of the childтАЩs breakfast. But the boy did not respond, continuing to stare at
the static on the screen, eyes wide, mouth agape.

Steven was theStanleys тАЩ only biological child and he had autism, the often misunderstood mental
condition that left those afflicted so absorbed with their own reality, that they were rarely able to interact
with the world around them. The boy could be quite a handful and Lori stayed home to care for his
special needs.

Lori twitched and came awake with a start. тАЬStevie?тАЭ she asked groggily, looking for her young son.

тАЬHeтАЩs watching his favorite show,тАЭ Aaron said, indicating Gabriel and the little boy. He looked back to
his foster mom. тАЬYou all right?тАЭ

Lori stretched and, pulling her robe tight around her throat, smiled at him. Her smile had always made
him feel special and this morning wasnтАЩt any different. тАЬIтАЩm fine, hon, just a little tired is all.тАЭ She motioned
with her chin to the boy in front of the television. тАЬHe had a bad night and the static was the only thing
that calmed him down.тАЭ

She glanced over at the miniтАУgrandfather clock hanging on the wall and squinted. тАЬIs that the time?тАЭ she
asked. тАЬWhat are you still doing here? YouтАЩre going to be late for school.тАЭ

He started to explain as she sprang from the seat and began to push him from the room. тАЬI was up late
studying and forgot to set the alarm andтАжтАЭ

тАЬTell me later,тАЭ she said as she placed the palm of her hand in the small of his back, helping him along.

тАЬWould you mind feedingтАФтАЭ

тАЬNo, I wouldnтАЩt, and IтАЩll take him for a walk,тАЭ Lori said, cutting him off. тАЬGet to school and ace that
history test.тАЭ

He was halfway out the door when he heard her call his name from the kitchen. There was a hint of
panic in her voice.