(Third-person perspective: Mary)

Kyle put his baseball bag in the trunk of his mom's car before sliding in the front passenger seat.

"What grocery store are we going to? Walmart? Or something small and quick like the Bargain Market?

"

Mary started the car and began to drive.

"Just the Bargain Market for a few things.

"

"I don't know why you needed my help for this.

" He grumbled, looking out the window as his mom drove.

"I don't need it. I would just like to spend some alone time with you. I had some things to discuss with you and get your opinion on.

"

Kyle immediately panicked.

"Mom, I swear to god, if you try giving me the sex talk right now, I'll jump out of this moving car.

" His hand gripped the door, ready to go through with it.

Mary rolled her eyes and slapped him on the thigh.

"Stop that. You know I wouldn't do that. Besides being awkward, you have a dad to talk to. Or even the internet. But-you better not being getting your info from porn sites and the like. Ya know what, I should list some more educational sites for you to visit. Just in case. The best way not to knock some girl up is abstinence. No sex is safe sex. But there's also STDs that can be passed without sexual intercourse in rare cases.

"

"Mom!

" Kyle raised his voice.

"Quit it! Really! I'm good. I'm not having sex just yet. I literally didn't ask her out until yesterday. Teens don't just have sex right away. This isn't a porno.

"

Mary glanced at her son, skeptical of his words.

"Don't be afraid to ask me or your dad if you have any questions though. I don't want you making a life-changing decision just because you were too embarrassed to ask.

"

"Mom, please. Just stop already.

" Kyle groaned.

Mary let up.

"Okay, alright. Why don't you tell me a little more about this girl?

"

"She plays softball.

" He looked back out the window, avoiding eye contact with her.

"What else?

"

"She's nice.

"

"And?

" Mary pressed.

"And cute.

"

"That's it? Nice, cute, plays softball?

" She shook her head.

"We have to work on your vocabulary before college applications in the fall.

"

"Mom.

" Kyle said, exasperated at this point.

"Is this it? Is this what you want my opinion on? How to embarrass your son to death?

"

Mary pulled into the parking lot of the store and found somewhere to park her car. She then turned to Kyle and started to tap the wheel.

"I-we-your father and I.

" She let out a sigh. Why was it, that whenever she tried having a serious conversation, the topic would change to something irrelevant. It just made it harder to say what she wanted to say.

"We're looking into adopting Jake.

" She spat out.

"Okay, and?

" Kyle didn't even blink.

"And...? And what are your thoughts on the matter?

"

Kyle shrugged.

"Great? Good news? What do you want me to say? He's a good kid. Have you asked him yet?

"

Mary shook her head.

"We're still settling the miscellaneous tasks assigned to us. We have to do some at home visits, classes, and an interview first. Then we'll ask before starting the court procedures.

"

"Sounds like a lot of work.

" He looked out the window.

"Are we still going on the store? Or is that all you wanted me for?

"

Mary fought an urge to slap him upside the head. Why were all her sons so blasé about this decision? It was a pretty big deal, was it not? She turned off the car and got out, prompting Kyle to do the same and follow her in.

"If we get to the court process, you'll probably have to write some kind of statement on your thoughts on the matter.

" Mary informed him.

Kyle sighed.

"Can't that be Noah's job? He's probably the most excited.

" Which means he'll be more motivated.

"We're telling him last, if at all. I don't want to get his hopes up and then suddenly Jake's family will take him away.

"

Kyle paused, eyes widening.

"They'll take Jake away?

"

"His mom can't, but his father still has his rights.

" She let out another sigh.

"We'll see. There's a lot more to come before getting to the actual adoption.

"