Chapter 77

“I’m so proud of you,baby,”he whispered and kissed the top of my head.

“Thanks.Honestly,I’m kind of proud of myself.I wanted to cuss at him.Tell him what he really was.But that would’ve made me like him,wouldn’t it?”

“You’re nothinglike him.Nothing.”

I smiled at Jeff.My biggest champion.

“That was wonderful.”Grandpa patted my back.“Very mature,Aaron.”He wiped at his eyes with his other hand.“You were right to ignore him,too.”

We stood talking for a while until Jeff and I reminded them we needed to go.

They all gave us hugs,then made both of us promise to call and text often.

When Judy hugged me,I started crying.“Thank you for taking me in.”

“You will alwaysbe part of our family,Aaron.There is no thanks needed.”She hugged me tighter before letting me go.