He Called Me Psycho

"After I made another kid at the group home cry, the director, Mrs. Gable, sighed and led me to a young couple.

“If you’re looking for a companion for your nonverbal son,” she said, her voice heavy with exhaustion, “this one’s your best bet. She’s the most… spirited child in the entire facility.” She leaned in and whispered, “My only request is that once you take her, you don’t bring her back. Please.”

The young couple didn’t seem to hear that last part. Their eyes lit up. “She’s exactly what we’re looking for!”

I didn’t know what “nonverbal” meant, but my new mom explained it to me on the car ride home. “It just means you can talk to him as much as you want,” she said with a warm smile, “and he’ll never, ever tell you to be quiet.”

My own eyes lit up.

He sounded like the perfect friend for me.

1

My new parents, Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood, led me to a closed bedroom door, their faces filled with nervous hope.

“Go on in, sweetheart,” my new mom said softly. “Your new brother, Leo, just doesn’t like to talk. He’s very sweet once you get to know him.”

“If you can get him to say even one word to you,” my new dad added, “we will give you anything you want.”

My eyes widened. I pushed the door open.

“Hey, Le—”

SLAM.

I stared at the closed door, completely baffled.

My parents sighed from behind me. “It’s okay, Luna,” my mom said, her voice laced with a familiar disappointment I’d heard a million times. “He’s just like this. Why don’t you try again tomorrow? Your room is just down the hall.”

They walked away, their shoulders slumped. I had to fix this. It was obviously just a matter of finding the right approach.

I tried again. “Heeeey, Leo…”

SLAM.

Okay, a different tactic.

“My dearest brother…”

SLAM.

“O brother, my brother, handsome and strong…”

SLAM.

“Oppa?”

SLAM.

“Dude?”

SLAM.

Forget it. That door was welded shut for the day.

The next morning, I came downstairs with a screwdriver.

My parents, standing at the top of the stairs, just gave me a subtle, encouraging nod. I could practically hear them thinking, With a sister like this, how can he stay silent? She’s a little wrecking ball of an angel.

I wedged the screwdriver in, gave it a twist, and the doorknob came off.

I braced myself, gave a mighty heave, and the entire door popped off its hinges.

And there he was. A boy so beautiful he looked like he’d been painted, sitting on his bed and staring at nothing.

“Hi, Leo! I’m Luna. I’m your new sister—”

CRASH.

He threw the book he was holding against a bookshelf, his only sign of protest against my invasion.

I just grinned at him, then dove straight into his bed, burrowing under the covers. My parents exchanged a look and quietly slipped away.

I reached for his hand. He pulled it back.

I reached again. He dodged.

We played this game for a solid five minutes. Finally, I gave up on physical contact and went back to what I do best.

I snatched the stuffed alligator he was clutching and hugged it to my chest. “Okay, Leo, listen up. Back at the home, I used to tell ...