Ember Lacey

Ember sat at the table, looking over the options on the screen in front of her.

Her parents hardly ever brought the topic up at all, likely because they found it too uncomfortable to talk about. Too demeaning. They were never the type to really worry much about money, even when things are uncertain. It was a faith thing.

But whether food would be on the table was starting to get really uncertain, and Ember had a secret. A desire to be treated like a kid again. Sure, these aren't by any means ideal circumstances to start, but Ember could at last exert some control over her situation. Any amount of time not working was spend researching, and what to do to improve chances of a favorable, or at least not terrible, new family. It wasn't certain, but it was more certain than the family's future if she didn't enter the program, or her chances of getting to explore her "little" side outside of the program.

She texted her parents, "I'm looking into entering EIPRA."

They gave some resistance, told her she doesn't have to, that they'll figure something out.

"I'll be okay. It won't be perfect but I can handle that better than seeing you all struggle like this."

After a brief talk in person, it was decided. Ember would enter, be treated like a child, and her family would be okay.