We've gathered in the dining room again. It's a great place for all of the children to gather and have our attention directed to one specific thing.

My birthday was three days ago. Cathy likes to give couples their children at least this soon after an interview, so as not to keep them waiting. She's fairly quick about it.

I tap my fingers as I await Cathy's entrance. That's when we find out who's going away. She never specifically said that's what was happening, but I have enough evidence to have a pretty good guess.

"Do you think someone's leaving?" Jill asks me.

"Definitely. She had an interview on my birthday. What else could there be to gather for, anyway?"

She shrugs. "I wonder who it is."

I give her a reassuring smile. "We're about to find out!"

Cathy walks in and stops at the door.

"Kids," she says, clapping her hands together, "I want you to welcome our guests! They are going to be taking one of you home today. They've already decided who it is, and didn't find it necessary to meet them beforehand. So, I'll bring them in so they can get their child and you can all say goodbye!"

She waves her hand and a young couple comes through the doorway. They look friendly, their eyes scanning the children, undoubtedly looking for theirs.

"This is Kristen and John." Cathy says. "They've come to get May Delwood.

An excited looking eight-year-old girl stands and rushes to Kristen, wrapping her arms around her.

I can't help smiling. May is such a sweet girl. I'm glad she got adopted.

"Can everyone say goodbye to May?" Cathy says.

"Bye, May!" the room calls to her.

I notice May's friend, Elisa, beginning to cry.

May waves to everyone as she is guided out the door. Soon after, everyone stands to leave the room.

I pick my way past the sea of heads that are shorter than mine until I find Elisa.

"Hey!" I say to her. "Come with me!"

She looks at me shyly, but follows as I lead her through the kitchen to the screen door and out to the backyard.

The backyard is a very large yard full I dying grass. A few toys lay on the ground here and there. I take Elisa to a wide open area with no toys.

"Climb on my back," I istruct her as I crouch down.

She puts her arms around my neck and I stand, holding her little legs in place above my hips. She holds on tightly so she won't fall.

"Ready?" I ask. She nods.

I begin to spin around on the grass. Elisa starts to giggle and squeal.

Around and around I go, until I get dizzy and stop.

"Again!" She squeals.

"Okay then! One more time!"

Again, I spin her. This time I don't stop until I'm certain my legs will buckle if I keep going. I kneel down so she can get off. At first she's reluctant to climb down.

"Come on!" I complain, breathless, "I'm so dizzy!"

She climbs off and says, "Will you play dolls with me?"

I smile as I respond, "Sure."

I follow her back into the building, satisfied with my attempt at making her happy.

---------------------------------------------

I sit on my bed in the corner of the girls dorm. I hold a picture of my parents, younger than I knew them to be. There's my mother, with her dark brown hair and insistent black eyes. My father with his sandy blond hair and sparkling golden brown eyes. They're an interesting light brown color, just like mine. Mom has her arms around Dad's neck. They look so happy together. I let a single tear fall from my eye. No more.

I hear the door start to open, and I wipe my face and shove the picture under my pillow. Jill walks in. Her green eyes are shining and she's smiling with all of her teeth. She makes her way to my bed and plops herself down next to me. I see she has a small black box in her hands.

"Guess what!" she says, but she speaks again before I can guess. "I got you a late birthday present!"

"No, Jill!" I complain. "You should have bought something for yourself."

She wrinkles her nose. "Nah."

She shoves the box onto my lap and bounces up and down.

"Open it!"

I lift the lid, which opens smoothly and makes no sound. It's definitely new. Inside I see two small diamond earrings.

"They aren't real diamonds, of course," she says, "like I could afford those!"

"Oh, Jill, thank you!" I reach over to give her a hug. Just then, the Dinner Button sound rings.

"Food!" Jill jumps up and heads for the door. I can tell she's a little embarrassed by the exchange, and she probably wishes she could have gotten something better.

With a smile, I put on the earrings and follow her out the door.