
Recognizing Family
By Storybird

13 Dec, 2023

"Hi, I'm Cai Cooley, and I have two younger brothers, Dex and Jai. We're all 17 years old, and we've been in foster care for most of our lives. Today, a new teacher walked into our school. He introduced himself as Caisler Cooley Sr."

"Do you recognize us?" I asked, looking at him with curiosity. He looked at us and said, "Of course I do, Caisler Jr, Dexter, and Jaidynn."

"Lads," I turned to Dex and Jai. "You guys are named after our mom, Jaidynn Dexter." Dex and Jai looked at each other, then at me, and said, "No way, big bro."

"Not sorry," I retorted. "Dad, Cai's bullying us," they complained. Dad just laughed and said, "Caisler Jr, your mom is the new principal. Go show her to my room."

I laughed and said, "Okay." I walked to the principal's office and saw a woman who looked oddly familiar. She didn't recognize me, but I knew instantly that she was our mother.

I silently led her to the classroom. "Mr. Cooley, this is Ms. Dexter," I said. "Thanks, Caisler Jr," Dad responded. "Now sit down." Mom said nothing.

I sat down and looked at Dex and Jai, who were staring at Mom with wide eyes. Dad looked at Mom and said, "Hello, Love." I made a gagging sound.

It was a surprise. Our parents, who we thought we'd never meet, were suddenly in our lives. And they were our school's new teacher and principal.

Over the next few days, we started to get to know them. Dad was strict but fair, and Mom was kind but distant. It was strange, but not unwelcome.

In the following weeks, we saw them not just as our teachers, but as our parents. We started spending more time together, slowly bonding as a family.

It was a whirlwind of emotions, but we were happy. And for the first time in our lives, we felt like we belonged somewhere. We were finally home.