I love people who make me laugh. (Audrey Hepburn)

“Well, there was a couple there and they were older and calmer. They told her she didn’t have to do this and she started to cry.” I took his hand in mine. It just felt natural and right. He held onto my hand and continued without missing a beat. “They took her aside, away from the group. She told them what had happened and they offered her refuge with them. They told her they had lots of room at their house in Topanga. It seems like a pretty seedy situation but what other option did she have? She moved in with them that night. She swore as soon as she had me she would put me up for adoption and she would return to secretary school and move out. They told her she could do whatever she wanted, they would support her.”

“Why were they so nice?”

“They had a son of their own but he died when he was a baby and they could never conceive again. They were too old to adopt. They tried to raise foster children but they had more than their fair share of disasters there. In an unusual way, both terrible situations melted together and they were perfect for each other.”

“That’s nice.” That was a stupid thing to say.

“Of course when she had me she decided against adoption. She named me after their late son: Christian. They were like my grandparents and they have always been a big part of my life. We never moved out. My mom went back to school when I was old enough but even then it was difficult to live on her own. They really helped her a lot and I think she helped them a lot too. I know it’s really weird. I don’t like to tell people about it but you’re family kill people for a living so I figured it was okay.”

My jaw dropped and he just smirked. I detached my hand from his to punch him with it but I laughed while I did it. I laughed while I did most everything with Christian.