Walking out of the courtroom, Zac turned to the couple who had fostered him for the last six years. His face lit up a huge grin on his face.
”I won, she is out of my life. I’m all yours, you can now adopt me.”
His birth mother stormed out, mouthing abuse at anyone in her path. Zac stood his ground his eyes blazing. Hesitating, his mother met his eyes, turned and stalked away.
Zac had been found in horrific conditions, huddled under a thin blanket on a mattress, struck dumb with fear, his body covered in bruises. In hospital Zac refused to speak cowering away from everyone.
His father had been killed by his mother in a drunken fight. Then in prison his mother kept trying to get in touch with the boy. Telephone calls drove Zac deeper into himself. They had to be stopped and all contact cut off.
Along came a couple who had been through the care system, wanting to help. They asked to be introduced to him. Slowly after several meetings he started to respond to them, asking about their body piercing and tattoos. They in turn asked him if there was anything he wanted to do. Zac couldn’t believe it. No one had ever asked him that. A trip to the football was arranged; a great success. From there it led to his asking to live with them.
Six years after his mother was released from prison. Immediately she wanted Zac back. Being nine now, Zac took it to court, revealing his life with this woman. A judge agreed. Pushing it further Zac asked if his foster parents could adopt him, something his birth mother had blocked for the last few years.
Looking lovingly, he whispered, ”Who said you cannot choose your family?”
