Page 64 of Dear Mr. Knightley

Dear Mr. Knightley,

The Ridleys adopted Kyle! No foster parenting—straight adoption! Isn’t it wonderful? The requirements for adoption are more lenient than for foster parenting. Go figure. So as the delays kept mounting to foster Kyle, they jumped over them. Adopted, Kyle’s adopted!

I’ve never heard him so excited. They invited me to the family dinner and party—and what an evening it was. And what an extraordinary family Kyle now has. My eyes are weary and weepy, but you need to know . . .

It was still light when I got off the ‘L,’ which was important to me.

It’s not a safe neighborhood, and I was nervous.

But I Googled the address, and the Ridleys live two blocks from the train stop.

A cab made no sense. It was time for bravery.

As I got off at Division, I headed west. Three blocks later I hadn’t passed the Ridleys’ house.

I almost bolted when a group of teenage boys approached.

“So, pretty thang, where you goin’?” The smallest one blocked my path.

I stepped into my best Edmond Dantes—thirteen years in prison teaches you to fight—and said, “I’m looking for the Ridley house at 1360, but I can’t find it. You can help me or I can head to the police station two blocks down. Shouldn’t take me more than a few seconds to run.”

At the Ridley name, all three boys blanched and pointed. “Coach? He’s that house.” And they backed away.

I guess no one messes with Coach Ridley. But I didn’t see it. When I arrived, he couldn’t have been more mild and kind. His wife was lovely too. They welcomed me like I was Kyle’s sister, as did their two kids and their grandkids.

“We did it, Sam. We got our boy. Can you believe it? Can you believe he’s home?” Coach hugged me.

“I’m thrilled, Coach. I can’t tell you what this means for kids like us. Kyle’s whole world will change.” Tears pooled in my eyes, and Coach pulled me close for another hug.

“You’ve got a family now too. You remember that.”

I smiled, and Kyle beamed all night. I thought he was going to shoot from his seat during grace. I’ve never seen a grin so wide.

Coach Ridley stood at the head of the table and prayed like nothing I’ve ever heard.

“God, you gave us your Son, and now you’ve given us ours.

We are so humbled and rocked to our very core to be blessed with this boy.

Keep him close to you, Lord. Keep our eyes wide open when any danger approaches, any fears invade, or any enemy comes to steal the peace, the love, and the grace you’ve granted us.

You are our God, and we are your children. Never let us forget. Amen.”

His voice bellowed over the table with such confidence that I knew—I knew no one can mess with this family. Bad things may come. But these people are God’s.

We ate, played charades, and laughed. It was a true home filled with true love. When it was time to go, I thanked them and headed to the door.

“Sam, how’d you get here tonight?” Mrs. Ridley asked.

“I took the ‘L.’ It’s only a few blocks, Mrs. Ridley. I’ll be fine.” I was slightly panicked, but I’m also tired of fear.

“Carl, Sam took the train here,” she called into the next room.

Coach was beside me so fast, I jumped. I can’t move that fast.

“I take it all the time, sir. Really, I’m fine.”

“You are not. Once you’re on, you may be fine; but you shouldn’t walk around alone at night. You must tell us before you come visit so we can meet you at the stop.” He called back into the living room, “Kyle, come on, son, we need to walk Sam to the train.”

Kyle popped up with a “Yes, sir” and followed us out the door. I see why the boys trembled when I mentioned Coach Ridley. His very essence demands integrity. Kyle’s in good hands.

As the train pulled up, Coach turned to me. “Thanks for coming, Sam, and come often. You’re family now.”

I couldn’t stop the tears from pooling, then falling. I nodded, hugged them both, and boarded my train. As it pulled away, I saw Coach put his arm around Kyle’s shoulder. And I cried.

Everything I ever dreamed for Kyle is happening. My idea of “normal” was mere window dressing compared to this. Kyle’s got the real deal: a family who will stand by him and guide and love him for the rest of his life. You can tell there’s no halfway with the Ridleys.

And Kyle will need that strong, singular devotion because it’s going to be hard for him.

I thought writing our story was tough, but Kyle will need more courage now.

He’s changed so much in these last few months, but fears still plague him.

He must lay them down, surrender his heart, and learn to trust others completely—I think that’s what having a family, having true love, really takes.

I can’t quite process that. Surrender is foreign to me.

I’m proud of him—so proud, so happy, and so sleepy.

I’ll write more soon,

Sam