It was the most imperfect manicure I’d ever gotten, but I wouldn’t be removing the polish anytime soon. Melody was eating a frosted doughnut across the kitchen table from me, and her nails were the same sparkly shade. She’d spent the night before with us, and tonight we were taking her to her first hockey game. This ice breaker weekend was supposed to help us decide if she was right for us, but I already knew. “You guys really like yellow,” Melody said, using both hands to tip her large glass of milk to her mouth. “Does it make you feel calm and happy?” Ryke asked, looking up from the newspaper’s sports section. “I guess so.” “What color of room would you like best?” I asked. “I don’t have my own room. I share with Julia, and it’s just white.” “But if you did, what would you like?” Melody took a bite of her doughnut and considered as she chewed. “Pink.” I took a deep breath. Melody’s caseworker had told me she could talk to Melody about us adopting her if I preferred that.
