Jaden Baker Read Online Free PDF

was evident on his face, for Derek and Jenny showed concern, as if what they said hadn’t been kind and considerate, but poisonous.
    “We don’t want to replace your real parents,” Derek said. “No one can, we know that. We want you to be a part of our family, too.”
    “That’s right,” Jenny chimed in. “Part of our family.”
    Their answer sounded too sappy to be believed. A canned response. Trying to avert what they thought might be a crisis or unholy temper-tantrum, Derek and Jenny bullshit an answer together. Here he was, relieved he wasn’t replacing a dead child, when they faked apprehension about replacing his parents. They didn’t care. They wanted to replace his mother. Would it be so hard? She wasn’t winning trophies.
    Their anxiety about his reaction was more flattering than anything heretofore, even more than their trust that he wouldn’t steal anything and get the hell out of here. They cared enough to lie.
    He decided not to argue. Derek and Jenny knew who his mother was; she was easy to best. Despite her glowing accomplishments, the Kauffmans knew Jaden foolishly had a soft spot for her.
    Eventual adoption was a big move, which logically meant they did want him, and wasn’t that what mattered? From the looks of things, even if he had a warranty, they weren’t going to use it. Unless he completely screwed up.
    Jaden cleared his throat. “It’s your turn to ask a question.”
    Right on cue, both of the Kauffmans sighed, tensed muscles relaxed.
    “Okay then,” Derek said. “Favorite basketball team?”
    “The Kings. Duh.”
    Jenny made a face at her husband. “Duh, Derek.”
    “Well duh. What am I, an idiot?” Derek said back at her.
    “Not very astute,” she replied, winking at Jaden.
    “What’s your favorite team?” Jaden asked.
    “I actually like the Lakers. I went to school in LA, so...”
    “So you root for losers?”
    They both laughed.
    The game of twenty questions went forgotten. After a hasty breakfast, Derek, Jenny, and Jaden piled in the car (an Infiniti sedan), and drove to the high school for a game of round robin. Ignoring the dry heat was a difficult task. A few hours later, drenched with sweat, and after a great deal of posturing, Derek lost several games. Jaden never missed a shot.
    On Monday, day seven of the New Life with the Kauffmans, it was time for Jaden’s mental check up, more commonly known as therapy. Jaden likened therapy to popping the hood of a car, to see what kind of damage, if any, had been done to his delicate and sensitive little brain and psyche.
    Jaden didn’t like therapy and insisted he didn’t need to go. But the Kauffmans decided, per his social worker’s advice, that he would continue going anyway. They insisted it was “for his own good.” Supposed benefit excuses many things.
    After persistent and intense arguing, Jaden found himself in the back seat of the air conditioned car, headed into town for therapization. He had lost this battle, but that wouldn’t stop him from arguing in the future.
    The drive was long. Because Jaden was a small talk amateur, the drive was also silent. To fill the quiet space, the Kauffmans played a CD, and Jaden was sure it was the same crappy music played in snooty buildings. Non-committal piano interspersed with clarinet and saxophone. Yawn.
    Jenny smiled assuredly at him when they arrived. Maybe she thought her smile would make the therapy easier. It wouldn’t, but Jaden gave her some credit for trying.
    “Maybe it won’t be forever,” she said. “We’re only following Lyle’s advice.”
    “Lyle’s a jackass,” Jaden said, staring out the window. He slapped his hand on the unlock button and slowly slid from the car. Derek and Jenny followed him into the overly cool building.
    They sat in the waiting room, and the Kauffmans pulled out their e-readers. Jaden slouched in his chair, his nose almost level with his knees, and stared across the room. His eyes glazed over as he allowed the printed