George's father explodes into the room. He slaps George on the back and laughs while talking. "Hey! How are you doing?" He doesn't wait for an answer. He grins at me and says,"Mama, lookie here who George brought home."

Liz pouts without being mad and says to me, "If you ignore him, he might go away."

This makes him laugh more, and his laughter starts me up. I don't know why I'm laughing but it delights him. He says, "See mama? She thinks I'm funny. George, I like this one."

And I like this family. I want it to be mine.