Outsider

"You don't belong here," Kyle's words rang in Clay's ears, as he stepped onto Granny Kate's front porch. "Why don't you get out of town, Freak. Nobody wants you, not even our Granny."

Before he could knock, the door opened, a silver haired woman pulled him into the house and slammed the door. "Has your brother been bullying you again, Clay?"

"He ain't brother... at least not my full brother!"

"Clay," she guided him into the kitchen. "Where I come from family is family and it don't matter whether they're half or step; they're still family."

He sat at the table, while Kate poured two large glasses of chocolate milk. After placing the milk on the table, she placed two slices of chocolate cake in soup bowls and put a scoop of chocolate ice cream on top of each. She placed the bowls on the table and sit down next to Clay.

"Clay," she smiled as he began to eat the cake and ice cream. "Would you like to live with me until you're eighteen?"

"I'd love to, Granny, but Maw ain't going to allow it. She says..."

"It doesn't matter what your mother says," she grinned. "I had my lawyer talk to your stepfather and Jake is agreeable. In fact, he thinks it's an excellent idea."

"He agreed," Clay's eyes lit up. "Why?"

Kate paused for a moment, considering her next words, but decided that the truth was best. "Mr. Forester told Jake that I would cut Kyle out of my will and stop paying the mortgage on their house if I didn't get custody of you."

"There's still school"

"I've hired someone to home school you," sighing she placed her hand on her grandson's wolf-like features. "You don't have to leave the house if you don't want to."