Mercenary at heart - стр. 27

– We need room 203," George said to the others as they went up to the second floor. The family searched for the office and quickly found it. Mariana knocked on the door, opened it and looked inside. The room was a small room with a desk in the right corner with a female receptionist sitting behind it. On her desk was a laptop computer and office supplies. To the left was a black leather two-seater couch and in front of the desk was a chair for visitors.

Mariana: "Good afternoon, may I come in?"

Staff member: "Silvers? On the subject of adoption? Come in."

The whole family entered the room. Since there was not enough seating, George took a seat in front of the desk, Mariana sat in a chair, and the children sat on the couch. The employee pulled a piece of paper from her desk drawer and held it out along with a pen to Mariana.

Staff member: "Both parents need to fill out an adoption application together and the boy needs to consent to the adoption."

George: "The child is given the right to vote? I haven't heard of such a thing. Are there any cases of rejection?"

Staff member: "In a voluntary adoption, consent is required from the adoptee in which they affirm on their own behalf that they are being treated well and are willing to be part of this family."

George and Mariana began to study the application and took turns filling it out. Then they made room for Theodore. He sat down on Mariana's chair and filled out his consent.

Staff member: "Good, now we will have an interview. First with the parents and then with the boy. When interviewing the boy, everyone else will have to leave this office."

The interview with the parents lasted about 20 minutes. Various questions were asked, related to how and under what circumstances the boy came into the family, how he is kept, who and where they work, what the family eats, how the house is kept clean, who the neighbors are, and so on and so forth. Finally, it was Theodore's turn. The Silvers left the office and left the adoptee alone with the municipal worker. He held himself calmly and confidently.

Staff member: "So, Theodore. Your new family. How do you like them in general?"

Ted: "Good, loving and caring. I like living with them very much."

Staff member: "No one is pressuring you? Did you write your consent voluntarily?"

Ted: "Voluntarily."

Staff member: "If there's something bothering you or something you want to talk about that you couldn't voice in front of Silver, now is the time to share it with me."

Ted: "I don't have anything to tell. I have no secrets from my new family. Especially since I'll soon be a part of it too."