When the Eight-Year-Old Boy We Were Adopting Came Home With Everything He Owned in a Black Bag—Then My Missing Brother’s Watch Fell Onto His Bed

I consented.

Oliver’s attorney and caseworker explained the test to him.

He consented as far as an eight-year-old could meaningfully participate.

Buccal swabs.

Simple.

Then waiting.

During that week, something strange happened.

Oliver became more anxious, not less.