Question G

[Jonetta]

Daniel Bates makes another appearance. Kim is obviously as attracted to him as he is to her but she opts to walk away. Talk about her rationale and your thoughts about whether she’s doing the right thing or not. What additional insights into her relationship with her beloved foster parents did you find helpful in better understanding Kim?

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

I couldn't remember Daniel Bate at all, till I was reminded he was in the first book. So whatever connection was there I totally missed it. It actually is telling that Kim has acknowledged that there is a spark between them.. but she isn't ready to go down that path.. yet. I don't think that is the last we've or Kim has seen of Daniel.

Each book is still revealing different parts of Kim and showing how she is moving forward with her life. Thank goodness she had Keith and Erica for those couple of years that showed her unconditional love. Even with their tragic deaths they had enough of an impact on Kim that she didn't give up when it would have been easy to do. Revealing those snippets are all part of the puzzle that is Kim today and gives us hope that there is still more healing to be done.

[Robin]

I remember Daniel from the first book. He and Kim picked at each other like young kids that like each other and don't know how to show it. They definitely have a spark between them.

In each book we've seen a guy that shows a little bit of interest in Kim. I keep thinking they'll be back in the next book, but it doesn't happen until now. I'd like to see Kim move on with her life when she is ready. Maybe she is right and it's just too soon for her.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Definitely Robin. We are only at book 4 and I think there are around 13 books written so far. We are already seeing signs of Kim's personal growth so if she doesn't form a relationship by the end of the series I will be disappointed.

[Jonetta]

We finally learn what’s behind Kim’s inability to enter into a committed relationship. Her foster parents’ deaths had a profound effect on her. When you combine that with what happened on the same day, we get a better understanding of how deeply she was wounded. The note which marked out “charge” and replaced with “daughter,” the hug she returned to Erica before she left the house, the knowledge that they were on the way to begin adoption proceedings when they were killed...the height of happiness to the horrible reality of their death, capped off by Erica’s sister Nancy callously disposing of her back into the system.

I can’t even imagine the pain that a young girl would feel on that day, let alone one that has just learned to feel love, only to have it wrenched away.

Fear drives Kim because she’s not sure she could survive that again. I get it. I have no idea of how she works through that but it’s a good sign that she continues to keep the lines of communication open with Ted, the therapist who tried to help her as a child and wants to help her. And, the insight she gains from these cases seem to shift her a little more with each story.

I hope she can get there but I’ll be okay if she doesn’t, as long as Kim continues to grow.

[Robin]

I couldn't believe how awful Erica's sister acted toward Kim. She more or less said "good riddance" and just closed the door on a kid that had lived with her sister's family for 3 years. How could someone do that?

[Jonetta]

It was heartless.

[Sharon]

Jonetta my thoughts exactly.

Kim is trying to deal with loving people who then die. Her brother was the first. She couldn't save him. Then she finds love and acceptance by two people who want her "as is" so to speak then they die. She is afraid to love Daniel even though she recognizes something there.

What I fear is her fear--she will get to the place where she can accept his love, but he's moved on. She recognizes that she will have to accept that if it happens.

[Jonetta]

This was such a revealing story.