A New Brother?

I mentioned earlier in the month everything that happened with my brother's friend, Tyler. Well, now it's time for an update.

He lived with us for about 10 days. He seemed to get somewhat comfortable, and everyone really got used to him being around. He's a great kid, very nice and very funny. We had been urging him for a while to tell his family that he wanted to stay with us; not only was it what we wanted, but it was what he wanted too. He didn't want to go live with one of his aunts. He didn't know them. He felt awkward. But despite this, he said he didn't want to start a confrontation. Then one day, his mind was made up for him.

Out of the blue, his Aunt Delight, a heavy woman with spiky blonde hair and a fuzzy husband, pulled up to our house. She told Tyler he was going with them. With little resistance, he helped them pack his stuff into their pick-up truck. We all watched, disappointed, and cringed a bit when they flopped his expensive TV into the bed of the truck. Tyler walked in one last time, mumbled goodbye, and they were off.

It was a pretty somber few days after that. He wasn't with us for long, but it sure felt like it. He was beginning to feel like part of the family. Then four days later, when I was spending the night at Taylor's, I got a phone call. It was my mom, telling me that Tyler was back.

In the four days he spent at Delight's house, they didn't feed him. The night before, he went to a friend's house, and was supposed to be back by 10:30. He decided he wanted to stay the night, so gave his aunt a call. She didn't answer, so he decided to leave a quick voicemail. When she returned his call, she screamed at him, saying that if he didn't come back that night, he wasn't welcome back. By this time, the friend's parents couldn't drive him, and his aunt sure as hell wasn't offering a ride. So he stayed. That morning, he had his friend drive him straight to my house. He's been here ever since, and he's adjusting. He asks permission for everything; if he can use shampoo, if he can have more food, if he can turn on the air conditioner. We just laugh and tell him he doesn't have to ask. It's crazy.

Since then, his Aunt Delight and Aunt Dawn have been at our house twice. Starting arguments, yelling, accusing my mom of saying Tyler's mother is better off dead, accusing Tyler of being a liar and being on drugs. One thing, even more unexpected, was the return of Tyler's father. Tyler hadn't spoken to him since he was 9.

We're aiming to get temporary guardianship of him. Tyler's father signed the papers, and we have his consent. DCF did an inspection, and told us that we have their recommendation. There will be a hearing on August 12th, because Delight is going for full permanent guardianship. She'll never get it. She's a horrible woman, and her house looks like something out of Hoarders. If all goes well, I might technically end up with a new brother before the end of the summer. I'm looking forward to it.