Conversations with Frankie

My reference to the state social worker as a "turnip" has been objected to by turnip-lovers. Bacchus has suggested "Simple Simon" instead. I agree.

So I told Frankie that I had emailed Simon and had some information for him.

I told him that I had his mom's phone number and address and he could call if he wanted. "I'll do that tomorrow."

I told him that I learned that if he wanted to send a letter or anything to his dad he could, but that we would have to send it to Simon. His dad could also send things to Simon and Simon would send them to us. "Simon will look at your letters, but the only thing he cares about is being certain you don't say anything that will let him figure out where you are."

"My dad wouldn't do anything to hurt me!"

"I understand, but this isn't a decision I get to make."

"Can he write to me?"

"Yes, but he has to send the letters to Simon. You can tell him about that when you write to him."

"Okay, can we do that with an email? Will you type and I will tell you want to say? Can we do it in the morning?"

"Sure."

"Good."

Long silent moment.

"Frankie, I also found out some things about your mom. You know that even though your dad's parental rights were terminated, he is still your dad, right?"

"Yeah! But they won't let me see him!"

"I know. Well there is a hearing in December about your mother's parental rights. The judge might decide to terminate hers too. I talked to Simon. He thinks that is what will happen, but you will still be able to talk to her on the phone if you want. All it would really mean was that the judge decided that she couldn't ask for you to live with her anymore. It would mean that the judge decided she had enough chances. You would stay here until you were ready to take care of yourself, when you were 18 or older."

"Could I still visit her?"

"That's not my decision, but I think so."

"Will I be there?"

"At the hearing?"

"Yes."

"I think you can be if you want to be."

"I want to! My father said that it was my right as an American citizen to be at the hearing with him. They wouldn't let me though. They denied me my rights! My father said I had the right to be there. This is my family and I should be there."

"Okay. I think Simon will understand."

"What if the judge says I have to go back?"

"Well, Simon doesn't think he will, but if the judge says you will, then you will."

Frankie looks thoughtful. "I will have to give up my WoW account."

"Yes."

"I could do that."

"I know."

"It would be okay. I would give up my WoW account to live with my family again. That is what I should do."

"But it could go either way. Simon thinks the judge will say you should live here."

Frankie grins, "Maybe I'll just be a momma's boy!"

"Do you mean that if you go live with your mother you will never leave?"

"Yeah, but if I stay here with you and Hubby maybe I will be like that guy in Forty-Year-Old Virgin and never leave you guys!"

Hubby, "We usually like kids to move out a little earlier than that, but we would want you to stay until you were ready."

Simon, "I like the Draenei, but Brian says they are not attracting."

Hubby says, "What?" As I say, "I understand that lots of teenagers think the Draenei are attractive."

"The women are hot! I could marry one. How do you know about them?"

"A friend told me about them. She lives far away though."

"She emailed you?"

"Yes."

"Does she play? What Realm is she on? What is her name? Do you think she would help me?"

"Her name is Maggie*, but I don't know the rest."

Hubby says, "What are you two talking about?"

Me, "WoW, of course."

Frankie, "Wait! I will go get pictures!"

--
Cut to this morning.

"Did you talk to your friend Moira? Can she help me?"

"Her name is Maggie, and I don't talk to her that much Frankie. I don't know if she will want to play WoW with you or not."

"Okay. I'm going to go back to one of my other characters anyway. I can't wait until there aren't so many people in the house. You know, that's the only reason I haven't been dressing up so much. Brian's friends are always here."

"Well, we certainly can make sure you know about times when they won't be so that you can dress however you want."

"Okay!" He grins. "Are you going with us to the Scottish festival?"

"No. That's just you, Hubby and Brian, but I will see you at lunch with Andrew and Evan."

"That's right. It's Evan's birthday.
"Hey Brian! Can you help me find the training place for my ____?"

"You changed characters again???!!!"

"No, I went back to my highest level character!"

And then they left for the festival.

___
I said "Maggie" but it is Maerlowe who plays isn't it? Sorry about that. Maerlowe, if you want to meet Frankie on WoW, feel free to leave the necessary info! You know, or not.