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

It didn’t create our commitment.”

Oliver was not required to testify dramatically.

His attorney and therapist conveyed his wishes in developmentally appropriate ways.

He wanted to stay.

He wanted contact with Aunt Tessa.

He wanted to keep the surname Reed for now.

All reasonable.

So the placement continued.