“All I want is someone who loves me； ” I said。
Kate visited the next day。 She explained that it would take a year for the adoption to be finalized； but I could move in with her soon。 I was excited but afraid； too。 Kate and I were total strangers。 I wondered if she’d change her mind once she got to know me。
Kate sensed my fear。 “I know you’ve been hurt； ”she said； hugging me。 “I know you’re scared。 But I promise I’ll never send you away。 We’re a family now。”
To my surprise； her eyes were filled with tears。 Suddenly I realized that she was as lonely as I was！
“Okay 。。。 Mom； ” I said。
The following week I met my new grandparents； aunt； uncle and cousins。 It felt funny—but good—to be with strangers who hugged me as though they already loved me。
她未曾放弃我（3）
When I moved in with Mom； I had my own room for the first time。 It had wallpaper and a matching bedspread； an antique dresser and a big closet。 I had only a few clothes I’d brought with me in a brown paper bag。 “Don’t worry；” Mom said。 “I’ll buy you lots of pretty new things。”
I went to sleep that night feeling safe。 I prayed I wouldn’t have to leave。
Mom did lots of nice things for me。 She took me to church。 She let me have pets and gave me horseback riding and piano lessons。 Every day； she told me she loved me。 But love wasn’t enough to heal the hurt inside me。 I kept waiting for her to change her mind。 I thought； “If I act bad enough； she’ll leave me like the o