Maggie

They had been married for fifteen years, but it still felt like something was missing. Maggie wasn't unhappy with her husband or any part of their relationship--she was unhappy with herself. She loved Simon with all of her heart and didn't mind his hectic work schedule as a contract worker for the government. They were financially comfortable, owning both of their vehicles, and the only debt they had was the mortgage.

Maggie and Simon were never the parenting type of couple. She was an only child whereas he was the middle of three boys. Neither had the desire to have children, although they weren't opposed to it if it should happen. However, it was unlikely considering how long they had been together. Of course, everyone asked them when they were going to start a family the first few years after their wedding, and then again when they made the decision to purchase their home (a lovely three-bedroom Victorian), but people eventually stopped asking.

She had no reason to work, although she enjoyed volunteering for various non-profit organizations. She made a few casual acquaintances through her volunteering, including a young woman named Shane. Shane had a son, Alex, and she regularly invited Maggie to the park. During one of their excursions, Maggie took notice of a group of children she thought were from a daycare. One child in particular piqued her interest.

Maggie noticed the young lady in charge looked particularly stressed, so she went over to see if she needed any assistance. During the exchange, Maggie learned that the children in this group were not members of a daycare, but children who were in need of homes--they were foster kids.
Simon often called Maggie "Miss Save the World" because she was always volunteering or raising money for one cause or another. She just laughed at the name, but kept her pangs of sadness hidden. Yes, she felt like her efforts did make a difference to someone, somewhere, but she would like to see the difference she made.

Upon returning home, she decided to research information on being a foster parent. She just couldn't get the child from the park out of her head, and she didn't know why. He looked like a normal kid--perhaps seven or eight, curly brown hair, hazel eyes, light cocoa skin. Why was she so fascinated? He hadn't interacted with her, barely even glanced at her, but then none of the other kids did either, except for Alex. Maggie didn't understand this strong magnetic pull towards the child, but she felt as though she couldn't resist learning more. She wanted him to be in her home, under her care. She wanted to see the difference she could make in his life.

The following week, she saw him again at the park. She went over to the caretaker and inquired about him. His name was Justin, he was a small ten-year-old, and they were having difficulties placing him in a permanent home. Maggie decided to talk to Simon that evening about becoming foster parents.

Two days later, Maggie found herself on the phone with a foster care agent discussing her desire to help. She was soon enrolled in the required parenting classes and scheduling a home inspection. One week after that, Justin was placed in Maggie and Simon's home.

Maggie learned that Justin had been in ten foster homes in the last seven years. His parents had abandoned him, leaving him with a babysitter. Maggie wanted so desperately to prove to Justin that he is special and deserving of love and stability. The caseworker had described his behavioral problems, citing them as the reason for not finding him a forever home.

"Don't worry, Justin. You are safe here. We are going to have fun and learn to be a family together!" Maggie told him.
He just stared at her with a blank expression on his face.