The boy really appreciated how much this family, which supposedly owed him nothing at all, did for him. Now Michael's room was divided into two parts, one of which belonged to the older child and the other to the younger. In the course of communication it became clear that Theodore's childhood was not easy: his mother died of an illness when he was not yet three years old. His father became desperate and started drinking a lot, as well as using medium and heavy drugs to forget himself. In addition, he never had warm feelings for his offspring. The poor child was left to fend for himself. Therefore, periodically in between classes and trainings Ted tried to earn a little money in a neighboring bakery. The owner of the establishment knew his situation, so she paid for the boy's labor with freshly baked pastries in the form of pizzas, bagels and croissants.

On June 21, an interview was scheduled at the municipal guardianship authority. It was necessary to arrive by 12:00 with personal documents and submit an application for adoption. The inspector will have to review all the documents and assess the living conditions, as well as the financial capacity of the family to support a second child. But this procedure is not solved instantly, but requires some time. Most often, in 85% of cases, the decision of the body is positive, if the family meets all the requirements set out. After all, it would be easier to enroll the child in a family that voluntarily wants to adopt him.

The day of the interview came. The family headed to the city administration office. Everyone was dressed in formal clothes, as if they were going to some kind of celebration. It was indeed an important event for both the adoptee and the adoptive parents. Literally 10-15 minutes later, the Silvers arrived at their destination.

George left the car in the service parking lot near the administration office. The Silvers were facing a massive five-story building, which could be entered from the north and south. There were metal detectors at the entrances and there were CCTV cameras throughout the building, constantly monitored by a security guard who sat in his small booth at the entrance. Appointments were made through the administration's website in advance, with the provision of an electronic ticket. The employees worked dynamically: according to strictly allotted time and without delays. Therefore, there was no need to stand in line. There was no elevator in the institution. We had to go up the central two-step staircase with stone handrails on the sides.

– We need room 203," George said to the others as they went up to the second floor. The family searched for the office and quickly found it. Mariana knocked on the door, opened it and looked inside. The room was a small room with a desk in the right corner with a female receptionist sitting behind it. On her desk was a laptop computer and office supplies. To the left was a black leather two-seater couch and in front of the desk was a chair for visitors.

Mariana: "Good afternoon, may I come in?"

Staff member: "Silvers? On the subject of adoption? Come in."

The whole family entered the room. Since there was not enough seating, George took a seat in front of the desk, Mariana sat in a chair, and the children sat on the couch. The employee pulled a piece of paper from her desk drawer and held it out along with a pen to Mariana.

Staff member: "Both parents need to fill out an adoption application together and the boy needs to consent to the adoption."