After what Max told me while she was looking at my closet, I couldn't not say that I wouldn't help other foster kids. I mean I knew we had the money to make a big difference. I've always wanted to make a difference but I never really made it a priority. But after hearing Max's story. I don't know how I couldn't.

When Max went back to her room, to decorate her closet, she offered me to come and help her too. But I said no. I didn't want to help her with her closet. I mean not cause I really didn't want to. But because after what she said about not just the books, but that she didn't even know what a closet was. I knew that she should do it alone. Give her a chance to really express herself. I mean she didn't design her room. Hannah did that. And I could tell that Max didn't like it, it wasn't her. But I also knew she wasn't going to say anything. She was to scarred to speak out cause she was afraid that someone wouldn't like it, and she would be sent back to, and be put in another foster family. But even if someone hated her. Which no one here did. Not that I knew of. I wouldn't let that happen.

And then I helped her put her clothes away, which I mean I know isn't a big deal. But I felt that she should do this on her own. That way she could say that she did it herself. Something that she knew nothing about, until I told her. It made me feel kind of proud of her. Even though it's just a closet.

Going down stairs, I went to try and find my mother. I knew that Travis was with dad after her shifted on the other side of Max's door. I had to mind link dad to come get him before he broke down the door and killed me. Or hurt Max.

Walking past the large living room, and past the dinning room, I found mom in the kitchen. I swear she lives her.

"Hey mom." I said as I went to sit at the bar top as I watched her walk around the kitchen getting everything ready for dinner.

"Hey baby whats up?" She said as she walked towards me to grab a pot, then fill it up with water.

"I want to talk about Max." I spoke. Making her stop the water, and sit the pot aside.

"Ok." She said looking hesitantly around.

"Don't worry, she is up stairs. I just want this to be between you and I." I said hoping we could go talk somewhere less open.

"That's fine. Let's go to my office." She as she started to walk away.

And your not going to guess where her office is! If you guessed right next to the kitchen, then you got it right! Literally next to the kitchen. As she walked through the French doors, and headed to the chair behind the desk. Her office was really small compare to dads. But I mean she only hold recipies in here. But I mean like a shit ton of recipies.

Closing the doors, that were covered with a curtain, I took a seat facing her.

"What's wrong son?" She asked smiling. But I knew she was worried. She was always worried when someone wanted to talk about Max. I didn't know axatually why. But she always was.

"So I was helping Max put her clothes away, and once we filled the dresser, she didn't know what a closet was." I looked her straight in the eyes. And so far she didn't seem surprised with what I said. " She didn't know what was suppose to go in there, how to hang a shirt, nothing." I said. I let surprise leak into my voice. Trying to get across to my mom how wrong this was. But she didn't move. " So, I showed her my closet and-"

"You let her into your room?" Mother interrupted.

REally out of everything I just told her that's what she reacts to?

"Yeah why?" Whats the big deal? It's not like we fucked.

"Do you know what it means to kids like her when someone lets you into their private room?" She asked. Looking at me like I was the biggest idiot in the world.

"No." I said simply back.

"Usually it means sex." She stated simply, causing my breathing to catch in my throat. Before I could say anything, she went on. " How did she act? Did she have a panic attack? What made her go into your room? Did you force her? No of course you wouldn't, your the sweet one."

What the fuck is she going on about?

"Mom!" I said interrupting her rant. "I offered if she wanted to see my closet, cause she didn't know what's suppose to go in hers. So I just showed her mine. She acted fine. She was the one who said yes to checking it out. She even gave me a chance to take back the offer. She didn't freak out at all. In fact, she just walked right in like she's done it a thousand times. And no I didn't force her. But here's the thing mom. She told me this story once she saw my books. About how books help kids get through the worst of times. It was amazing! She even started this like tradition about passing around this book. You should have heard it mom. They call her the 'Giver'. Which I'm pretty sure is from another book. But it still applys to her. It's amazing mom. She even hugged me when I said she could have the very book that has been passing through the Foster care system for years." I watched as my mother just smiled at this. " Mom I want us to give the children books. We have the money for it! Why not help? Why not us out money for good? I mean I know we need it for the pack, but I'm we have more than enough left over, and we could buy books like every certain amount of years, for the orphaned kids." I said hoping she would say yes.

But she just kept smiling at me.

"What?" I asked when she didn't say anything back.

"I knew that bringing Max into the family was going to help show you guys how lucky you are. But I never thought that it would bring you guys to want to help out so much. But I'm so glad it has!" She smiled as she leaned forward. " Your sister's asked us to let the foster kids have a free shopping day at the mall once every 5 years. Well, they wanted to make it every year, but your father can't afford that and still keep the pack running. So we were going to do every five years. And now you with the books. I never thought Max would make you guys change like this." I watched as a single tear slid down moms cheek.

"There's one more thing mom." I said turning serious. I knew that Max wasn't going to like me for this. But I had to do it. For her. Cause I knew she wasn't going to do it for herself.

"What is it?" I knew mom could see the tension in my face.

"Max is afraid to speak up, or step out of line, and just be herself." I froze as I watched mom look confused. " She is scarred that if she doesn't make everyone happy, that you will send her back, and put her into another foster family." I said straight forward. I wasn't a beat around the bush person. Well, none of us Ledgers were.

"How do you know this?" She asked as she leaned back into her chair.

"Can't you see it? You've know her longer than anyone. Don't you see that she walks around like she is under survalince the whole time? I've seen the real her. Here and there, she breaks out of her little box, and she has fun. But then she gets spooked, and goes back in. Like for example, I know she doesn't like her room. But I know she won't say anything, cause she doesn't want to hurt Hannah's feelings."

"Yeah I noticed."

"So what can we do?"

"Well, I have an idea. And your just going to have to go with it. But I don't know if this will break her out of the box all the way. But it's a start. And with the room. I knew she didn't like it. But when she told me to leave it alone, I just did. I knew I shouldn't have but I did." I could tell she regretted it. "I know this isn't going to sit well with Travis. But he needs to know who is real mate is. Not who she thinks she has to be."

"So what are we going to do?" I asked. I couldn't wait to get to know the real Max. And if this was the only way, then so be it.