Recognizing Family

    By Storybird

    Recognizing Family cover image

    13 Dec, 2023

    a man and woman standing next to each other in a room with a clock on the wall and a man in a suit

    "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."

    a painting of three people standing next to each other in a room with a light on the ceiling and a window

    "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."

    a painting of three people standing next to each other in a kitchen area with a sink and a window

    "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."

    a group of people standing in a hallway next to each other in a building with a clock on the ceiling

    "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."

    a woman with long hair and a necklace on her neck standing in a room with a clock and a window

    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.

    a man and a woman standing in a room together, with a clock in the background and a ceiling

    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.

    a woman in a futuristic suit standing in a room with other people in the background and a clock on the ceiling

    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.

    a couple of people standing in a room together with a ceiling light above them and people standing around them

    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.

    a painting of two men in suits and ties sitting on a chair in a room with a clock on the wall

    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.

    a group of people standing next to each other in a room with a ceiling fanned in a light

    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.

    a man and a woman standing next to each other in a room with a window and a ceiling fan

    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.

    Recognizing Family

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