This is an original piece. All characters are the property of Barb & Pat Roman and copyrighted by PAR/59 Enterprises.

He was all wrong. His feet were too big. His legs were too spindly and his arms were too gangly. His hair stuck out in a myriad of cowlicks that defied combing. His large eyes looked even larger through the coke-bottle tortoise shell glasses that he wore. They called it visually impaired. That meant that he had too much sight to be classified as legally blind, but not enough to see clearly without squinting. This expression only served to accent his prominent front teeth. On top of all this, he was ten years old. Most people who were thinking about adopting a kid wanted a cuddly baby or a cute toddler, not some scrawny, jug eared, buck toothed almost teenager.

Danny Peabody understood this, and at first it bothered him. By now, though, he was used to it. Well, sort of. He still wanted a family to call his own. He never knew who his father was. According to records at Childrens Services, his mother left him temporarily with an aunt when he was eighteen months old. She said she had found a good job in another city and as soon as she had a decent place to live, she'd be back for him. She never returned. Six months later, the aunt took him to Children's Services. Three months later, Children's Services placed him in the first of many foster homes and institutions.

+++++++++++

"Danny!" Emily Fisher called. "Hurry or you'll be late for school."

Ed and Emily Fisher were his latest foster parents. They were nicer than most. Some of the homes treated him like little more than a servant and a few foster parents had actually abused him. The Fishers tried to make him feel loved and appreciated and treated him as one of the family. They had two children of their own. Chrissy, who was a year younger than Danny, and Joey, who was two years older. It was difficult, though, to take strangers who you knew would only be around for a short time and create a strong and instant bond.

"I'm coming." Danny replied as he gave his hair one last futile attempt at combing. School was not one of his favorite places. Since he moved around a lot, he was always the 'new kid' and that, coupled with his physical appearance generated a great deal of teasing and harassment from the other children. It wasn't that he hated school. He really liked the academic parts. He was bright and learned quickly and easily. He just could have done very nicely without recess, gym, lunch period or the school bus ride.

++++++++++

He stared at the package sitting on his desk. It was wrapped in pretty tissue paper and the tag on it read 'Suitable for Man'. Mrs. Fisher had picked it out. Today was the day the class was going to the Adopt-A-Grandparent party at the Lakewood Nursing Home.

"Most of you already know about these parties, but since some of you are new, I'll explain about them." Mrs. Winston, Danny's teacher was saying. She looked directly at Danny. "Each child is assigned a grandparent at the home. Once a month, as a class project, we visit our grandparents and give them parties and outings. We send them cards on their birthday and special occasions and they do the same for us." While it may be a bit awkward at first, I'm sure that once you've been adopted by a grandparent, you'll have as much fun as the rest of us have."

"Who'd want to adopt the geek?" Buck Walters whispered just loud enough for Danny to hear.

"Yeah." Mickey Tolliver whispered back in the same tone. "He can't even get hisself a Mommy and Daddy, let alone a Grandpa."

Buck and Mickey were the class bullies. They seemed to have made it their pet project to torment Danny at every possible opportunity.

Danny gamely fought back the tears welling in his eyes, and he fervently wished he could suddenly contract some dreaded disease so he wouldn't have to go to the party.

"Lookie there." Buck hoarsely whispered. "Widdle Cry Baby gonna bawl."

++++++++++

"Danny, this is Ms. Lapinsky, the social director here Lakewood." Mrs. Winston said.

"Welcome to Lakewood, Daniel." Ms. Lapinsky said. "We've been expecting you. After the party, you and I will have a long talk and then I'll assign an appropriate person to be your adopted grandfather. In the meantime, why don't you go with Mr. Hoyt. He already has two adopted grandsons, but I'm sure he won't mind taking you under his wing for today."

"This is Mr. Hoyt." She said, escorting Danny to an elderly gentleman who was talking to two boys. "And these are his grandsons. I believe you know them. They're in your class."

Danny wanted to run. The other boys were Buck Walters and Mickey Tolliver.

"Take good care of Danny." Ms. Lapinsky said as she left them.

"Yes, Ma'am." Mickey said as he put his arm around Danny's waist. He pulled the boy close and ground his knuckles into Danny's side.

"We'll take real good care of little Danny." Buck agreed as he covertly ground his heel on Danny's toe.

Danny winced inwardly at this. He knew from past painful experiences that if he made any outward show, the next time it would be much worse. And there always was a next time.

++++++++++

Danny stopped at the entrance to the room. He had stayed in the dayroom as long as he could. True to their nature, Buck and Mickey had pointedly made certain that Danny was not included in any of the festivities. Not just with their grandfather, but with anyone else. At the first opportunity, he quietly slipped out of the room and began exploring the building. Since nearly everyone was at the party, there was no one to question his wanderings.

This room was not deserted like the others. He could hear piano music coming from inside. He did not recognize the melody, but it sounded very soft and pretty. Sort of like the kind they

play in the background at the doctor's offices or in elevators. Suddenly the music stopped.

"Well, don't just stand there gawking, boy." A voice from inside the room called out. "Come on in."

Hesitantly, Danny entered the room. The shades were nearly drawn and the room was furnished in not-quite-antique furniture. There was a four poster double bed with an enormous comforter on it, a nightstand, and a lounge chair that had seen better days. Along the double dresser was a row of pictures. The first showed a man in an Army uniform standing next to a very beautiful young lady. The next was the same man and woman, but this time they were dressed in a tux and wedding gown. Several others showed the same couple but with one, and then two children at various ages: A boy, who looked to be the spitting image of the man, and a girl who was a carbon copy of the woman. The next showed the girl, now grown, with a man and three small children. Next to that was a picture of the boy, now a man, in Marine Corps dress blues. Across the top of the frame was draped a light blue watermarked ribbon with a silver star surrounded by thirteen smaller stars. Tucked into the corner was a telegram. Danny could make out the words 'We are sorry to inform you ...' on it. The last was a picture of the first couple, now considerably older. In one corner of the room, the man from the pictures was seated at an old upright piano.

"What're you doing in this part of the building, boy?" The man asked gruffly. "Most visitors don't ever go beyond the day room."

Danny wanted to run, but he stood his ground. He was scared, but he didn't want to go back to the party.

"You must be from the school." The man continued. "Here for the party, I'll bet. What's the matter? Not having any fun?"

Danny nodded shyly.

"Thought so." The man said. "That's why I don't go to them any more. Who wants to be with a bunch of snotty kids who don't want to be there either. You sing a couple of songs, eat some cake and ice cream, and then they give you a present that their mother picked out for them. It's usually writing paper or after shave or something like that. When it's over, they leave and you don't see hide nor hair of them until the next month." He saw the package Danny was unsuccessfully trying to hide. It was a bottle of after shave. "No offense about the gift. Your mom pick it out?"

"My foster mother."

"Oh. You don't have any family either?" He got up and walked to the dresser. He picked up the picture of the older couple. "This was taken on our twenty fifth anniversary. Marie died two years later. Cancer That was five years ago." He picked up the picture of the Marine. "Lee got it in Desert Storm. He died saving his platoon that was trapped by enemy fire. They gave him the Medal of Honor. Posthumously. He's buried at Arlington." Then he picked up the picture of the woman and children. "Louise and her family live on the coast. After my heart attack, they put me in here. With both of them working, and the kids and all, they didn't have time to care for me properly. It ain't so bad here. They give me a clean room and three squares a day, but it's not the same. Know what I mean?"

"Yes, sir, I know what you mean" Danny said solemnly.

"Thought you would." The man said. "You got a name, boy?"

"Danny. Danny Peabody, sir."

The man held out a meaty hand. "Joshua Hopkins."

Danny took the hand and shook it. Joshua was in his late sixties, on the thin side, with a shock of wiry gray hair that looked as though it hadn't been cut in a while. He sported what appeared to be a three or four day growth of stubble. His eyes, framed in thin wire glasses, were deep set and seemed to penetrate all the way to Danny's soul.

"So, you like music, eh, boy?" Joshua asked as he led Danny back to the upright. "Can you play the piano?"

"Not exactly, sir. One of my foster fathers did teach me Chopsticks, though. Does that count?"

Joshua sat down and motioned for Danny to sit beside him. "Chopsticks is good enough for me. You play the top and I'll play the bottom."

Carnegie Hall it wasn't, but it was a passable version. Particularly after the fifth or sixth rendition. Both of them seemed exceptionally proud of their accomplishment.

"Anything else you like to do? Play ball? Fish? Roller skate? Fly a kite?"

Danny shook his head no at each question.

"Why not?"

"I never learned how."

"Hrrumph! I guess we'll just have to do something about that, won't we? Tell you what, boy. If you just happen to be in this part of town next Saturday around one o'clock, I just might think about teaching you how to fly a kite."

"Well, sir," Danny said . "If I just happen to be in this part of town next Saturday, I just might let you."

Joshua nodded firmly. "Name's Joshua, not sir."

"Name's Danny, not boy."

"Okay, Danny."

"Right on, Joshua."

"Make you a deal. I kinda like you. Just so they don't stick you with some old fuddy duddy and try to palm off some sniveling brat on me, why don't we adopt each other. I'll be your grandpa and you can be my grandson. How's that sound?" He held his hand to Danny.

"Sounds great, sir ... I mean Joshua ... Eh ... Grandpa." He grasped Joshua's hand firmly and shook it rapidly. "Deal."

"I hear tell the food at that party ain't half bad. Wanna give it a try ... Grandson?" He stood up and slipped his hand around Danny's waist.

"Why not ... Grandpa?" He put his hand around the man's waist.

++++++++++

Danny paced outside Joshua's room. He ran his fingers through his hair for the twentieth time and picked another invisible piece of lint off his jacket. He hadn't slept at all the night before and he was up at the crack of dawn. This was an important day for him! Someone actually wanted to be with him that didn't have to! Joshua wasn't a teacher ... or a foster parent ... or a caretaker! He really wanted to be with Danny!

"What if he isn't here? What if he forgot? What if he doesn't want to see me? What if he was just stringing me along?" He worried to himself. He started to walk away and then went back. Heraised his hand to knock and then lowered it. He turned to leave again. "No!" He scolded himself. "You gotta find out one way or another." Timidly, he knocked.

"Come on in." Joshua bellowed through the closed door. "It ain't locked. " Joshua was once more seated at the piano. This time, though he was clean shaven and his hair had been trimmed. "Thought you might not show up. Thought you might not want to spend your Saturday with an old codger like me."

He really wanted him! Grinning, Danny ran to the elderly man and threw his arms around his neck. Joshua smiled back and embraced the boy.

"Ready to fly a kite?" Joshua asked.

Danny held out a small kite he had bought at the dollar store. "I'm ready."

"Oh no, no, no!" Joshua cried in mock protest, or maybe it was real. "Them store bought kites don't fly worth beans. If you want a really good kite, you got to build it from scratch. Here, let me show you what I mean." He went to the closet and took out a stack of newspapers, some brightly colored tissue paper, a box of poster paints, a bottle of glue, and several thin sticks. "Bought them yesterday on our weekly outing to the supermarket. Joshua explained, spreading the booty out on the bed. "Figured you wouldn't have a kite of your own."

"The first thing you got to do is spread papers all over the floor. It gets kind of sloppy, and the staff here gets real crabby when you mess up the carpet." Danny and Joshua made a big production spreading the papers on the floor

"Next, we got to get you into some proper clothes. Wouldn't want your foster mother to see paint and glue all over your good suit, would we?" He went back to the closet and returned with an old shirt. Again they made a production of rolling up the sleeves and tying it around Danny's waist with a length of clothesline.

An hour later, the kite stood propped against a chair. True, it was a bit off center and the crudely painted eagle had run a bit, but it was the most beautiful kite that Danny had ever seen ... and he had built it all by himself. Well, almost. Joshua did help a little with the tail.

Joshua picked up the last of the newspapers and wadded them into a ball and tossed them into the trash can.

"Now what do we do?" Danny asked.

"Now, we go and fly a kite."

++++++++++

"MR. HOPKINS!" Ms. Adderson, the head nurse called as Danny and Joshua headed toward the front door. "Where do you think you're going? It's much too cold for you to be out of doors. You should be resting. You shouldn't be overexerting yourself. You know you have heart problems. And the boy is only supposed to be here on class day. This isn't even visiting hours."

"I'm going to go out and fly a kite with my grandson, here. And no one is going to stop me. There's nothing wrong with my heart that a little good old fashioned run in the park wouldn't help. Kite flying is good exercise. Maybe you ought to try it sometime." Joshua called as he stormed out the door.

++++++++++

Over the next few months, Danny and Joshua were together almost every weekend. They took long walks in the woods behind the home. (Over the vehement objections of Ms. Adderson.) During these walks, they discussed such profound things as family. How to spit properly. The state of the world. The Yankees versus the Braves. The future. And does the light in the refrigerator really go off when you shut the door.

Joshua also taught him how to throw a ball and swing a bat. It paid off when Danny was chosen (last, naturally) for a gym class baseball team. At his first time at bat, he actually got a hit. Even Buck and Mickey were suitably impressed. It was a toss up who was more excited when he told Joshua about it.

++++++++++

"What's up for today?" Danny asked as he ran into the room. "You promised me we'd go fishing."

"Changed my mind." Joshua said. "Look over there." He pointed to the corner of the room. There stood two bicycles. Over the seats were helmets and pads. "Won't Ms. Adderson have a bird when she sees us on those?" He grinned wickedly.

"But I don't know how to ride a bike." Danny said forelornly.

"Then it's about time you learned."

++++++++++

With Joshua firmly holding the seat, Danny steered a wobbly course to the corner. "Where'd you get these?" Danny asked as he fought to keep the handlebars straight.

"Don't tell Ms. Adderson, but I've been sneaking out every day for a little bit on my own. A couple of days ago, I was walking downtown and I passed this bike shop. They had these beat up old bikes for sale real cheap. I talked the owner into letting me use his workroom to fix them up. Used to be a pretty fair mechanic once, even if I do say so myself. Even fixed up some of his bikes to help pay for the helmets and pads. He was impressed with my work. He was looking for help ..." Joshua grinned broadly. " ... so I talked him into hiring me. I start Monday. It's only part time, mind you, but he says if I do good, he'll make it full time."

"That's great!" Danny said excitedly.

"Got some more good news for you." Joshua said, beaming. "For the past half a block, I ain't been holding on. You're riding on your own."

Danny promptly crashed into a tree. Fortunately, neither he, nor the bike was seriously damaged. Nothing that a little bit of paint and a bandaid couldn't cure. As well as lunch at the Burger Barn.

++++++++++

Danny started down the stairs. This was a very special day. He and Joshua were going to ride their bikes to the 'Y' and Joshua was going to teach Danny how to swim! He heard voices in the living room. It was Mr. and Mrs. Fisher and another lady that Danny recognized as Ms. Lapinsky.

" ... And so, you see." Ms. Lapinsky was saying. "The staff has come to the conclusion that Joshua Hopkins is not a suitable role model for Daniel. He is stubborn. He is arrogant. He repeatedly ignores the advice of his doctor and the nurses. Several times he has even gotten into shouting matches with the head nurse. He does not participate in group activities at the home. And at times ... how can I put this ... his language can be ... quite earthy.

Although it is not Daniel's fault, his relationship with Mr. Hopkins only seems to make matters worse. I've have decided that it would be in the best interest of both of them if they did not see each other again. We will make every effort to pair Daniel with an acceptable foster grandparent."

Danny ran into the room. "NO! You can't do that!" He shouted angrily. "You can't keep us apart! Joshua is my grandpa. We adopted each other. You can't stop us from seeing each other. You can't!" He ran out the door, slamming it after him.

"YOU decided!" Emily Fisher shouted. "You decided what's best for Danny. Who do you think you are, some tin plated god? Couldn't you see what being with Joshua Hopkins has done for Danny! He's never acted this way before."

"This is exactly what I am talking about." Ms. Lapinsky said. "If he continues to see Mr. Hopkins, I fear his behavior will only get worse. You do understand what I mean, don't you."

"No. I'm afraid it's you who do not understand." Mr. Fisher said. From his tone, he was as angry as his wife. "That's the first honest show of emotion we've seen from Danny since he came here. He's been moved around so much and disappointed so many times that he's learned to hide his feelings. He's also learned not to expect too much, either from himself or from others. That's something no one should have to learn, especially not a ten year old.

"Then he met Joshua." Emily continued. "That was the turning point for him. He's become much more outgoing. He has a great deal more self confidence and self worth. He actually cares. We've also had Joshua here for dinner several times. He seems to be a very nice, considerate gentleman, not the hellion you describe. If you'd taken the time, you'd have seen that these two belong together.

"They need each other" Ed finished. "Personally, I couldn't be happier with them, and if you think for one minute that I'm going to forbid Danny to see Joshua, you've got another think coming." He strode to the door and held it open. "Good day, Ms. Lapinsky."

"Don't let it hit you in the ass." He mumbled as she exited.

++++++++++

Joshua sat on the piano bench as Mrs. Fisher recounted the events of the day to him. She was nearly in tears, while Mr. Fisher paced nervously in the area between the bed and the dresser. Ms. Lapinsky stood in the doorway, her arms folded across her chest and a scowl on her face.

" ... And then he ran out the door." Mrs. Fisher was saying. "When he didn't come home for dinner, we really began to worry. Now, it's almost midnight and there still is no sign of him. I'm ready to call out the Sheriff." Ed put his arm around his wife as she dabbed her eyes with his hankie.

"Ran away, did he? Good for him!" Joshua said, slapping his knee and laughing softly. "Can't say as I blame him. When Ms. Lapinsky had her little chat with me earlier, I wanted to run away too. I told her what she could do with her recommendations ... and her nursing home as well.

There ain't nothing wrong with my heart. Doc Wynard says I'm as healthy as a horse and if I take care of myself I could live to be a hundred. The only reason I'm still here is that I didn't have anyplace else to go and no one who cared about me. Now I do. I have Danny. I love him and he loves me. In fact, I've been thinking seriously about adopting him."

"MISTER HOPKINS!" Ms. Lapinsky said, horrified. "You can't be serious. You ... You ... "

"Before you go getting yourself all high and mighty, Ms. Lapinsky, I am very serious. I've been thinking about doing something like this for some time now. I already got a job, and yesterday I found an apartment. It ain't much, but it's enough for Danny and me. I've talked with Danny's social worker and with Mr. Blumberg, down the hall. He's a retired lawyer, you know. He says it won't be easy. The courts would prefer a younger person or a couple, but he thinks that since Danny is a special case, they might make an exception. He's even agreed to handle the case at no fee.

I didn't want to say anything until I was on a little firmer ground, but after your little dog-and-pony act here, and at the Fishers, I'm positive that I'm doing the right thing."

Mr. Fisher took Joshua's hand. "I can't think of anyone who would make a better parent for Danny than you. You will certainly have our full approval and cooperation."

"I think you are doing a wonderful thing." Mrs. Fisher said hugging the elderly man. "But it nothing matters until we find Danny.

"You won't have to look very far." Joshua stage whispered. "He's been here all the time. He was waiting for me when I came back from dinner. Made me promise I wouldn't tell." He went to the bathroom and opened the door. "Come on out, Danny." He called.

++++++++++

Joshua Hopkins straightened his tie for the fiftieth time. He wasn't used to wearing a suit in the first place. The last time he wore one was for Marie's funeral. He glanced at Danny. The boy adjusted his collar and ran his hands through his hair. He was just as nervous as Joshua. Between them sat Morris Blumberg, their lawyer. He, too was nervous. The Fishers sat behind them, Emily in her Sunday best and Ed in a suit and tie as well. He looked about as comfortable as Danny and Joshua.

This was definitely a landmark occasion for all of them. This was the moment of truth. It had taken literally miles of paperwork, months of hearings and investigations, and thousands of prayers to reach this day. In a few moments, the judge would come out of his chambers and give his decision. In a few moments, they would know if Danny and Joshua would be legally joined, just as they were spiritually and emotionally.

Danny squeezed Joshua's hand. "He just gotta let us adopt each other." He whispered loudly. "He just gotta!"

"I sure hope so, son." Joshua's hand tightened around Danny's. "But whatever happens here, no one will ever keep us apart. I promise you that. Never."

After what seemed like an eternity, the chamber doors opened and the judge came into the courtroom.

"Hear ye. Hear ye." The bailiff called out. "The domestic Relations Court is now in session. The honorable Judge Stephen Penobscott presiding."

Judge Penobscott took his seat behind the imposing bench. He arranged the pack of papers and filees. Then he arranged the penset and the lamp. He poured a glass of water from that pitcher sitting on the edge of the desk. He took a sip and placed the glass by the pitcher. Then he rearranged the stack of papers. He opened several of them and read their contents. He made notations in a few of them and then closed them. Once more he rearranged the pen set. And took another sip of water. At last, he looked to the bailiff.

"First case." The bailiff said, handing him a bulging manila folder. "Number 12759263 Petition for Adoption.

Both Joshua and Danny were ready to jump out of their skins. "If he doesn't hurry up, Judge or no Judge, I'm gonna throttle him." Joshua muttered under his breath to Morris.

Judge Penobscott read the contents of the folder. "My sworn duty is to uphold the law." He began. "But in this case, there does not seem to be any law to uphold. I have researched this, and as far as I can determine, there does not seem to be any precedent." He cleared his throat and took another sip of water. "Therefore, I have to rely on my judgment." He laughed slightly at the unintended pun. "I have come to a decision. Before I make my ruling though, I do have one question for Mister Hopkins. Just to satisfy my curiosity."

Joshua stood up nervously. "Yes, your honor?"

"What made you decide to adopt Daniel Peabody as your grandson instead of as a son?"

"Well, your honor, I figure it this way. I'm sixty three and Danny's only ten. I'm a mite too old to be his father, and he's a mite too young to be my son. But I'm just the right age to be his grandpa. Then, too, if he was to find the right people who wanted to adopt him, I wouldn't have to un-adopt him."

A ripple of polite laughter went through the courtroom.

"Your logic is impeccable, Mr. Hopkins." The judge said, smiling. "It only reinforces my feelings that my decision is the best for all concerned." He cleared his throat and took yet another sip of water.

Joshua was ready to pour the entire pitcher on his head if he didn't get to the point soon.

"PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!" Danny whispered loudly. His eyes were squeezed tight shut and his hands were clenched in prayer.

Judge Penobscott cleared his throat once more. "After reviewing all the recommendations and affidavits in this case, it is the finding of this court that there is no reason that this adoption should not take place. Therefore, from this time forward, for all purposes, legal and otherwise, It isdeclared that Joshua Michael Hopkins is, in fact and in truth, the grandfather of Daniel Joseph Peabody." He banged his gavel on the block.

You could barely hear the bailiff calling for order above the cheers.