available.
When I called the agency, a social worker named Debra explained it carefully.
“This isn’t what anyone wants,” she said. “We simply haven’t found one home capable of taking all five.”
“What if you did?” I asked.
She went quiet.
“If an individual genuinely had the housing, stable income, background clearance, and willingness to commit to five children under seven, that person would absolutely be considered.”
I sat there for a moment.
“How much time is left?”
“The placement order is Thursday.”
“Nine days?”
“Yes.”
That afternoon, I bought
