The Lost Boy

After the trial, David continues to live with Aunt Mary and begins to attend a new school. In Aunt Mary’s house, he steals food and hides it in his room because of his memories of being constantly hungry while living with his mother. In July, David is taken to his first permanent foster home. Ms. Gold tells his new foster mother, Lilian Catanze, that David can receive visits from his father but should have no contact with his mother “unless Mrs. Pelzer makes the arrangements” (85). Mrs. Catanze tells David to call her “Lilian” or “Mom.” She shows him his room and introduces him to the other foster children: Larry Junior, Big Larry, Connie, and Chris. The next day, Rudy, Lilian’s husband, takes the foster children to their “annual Fourth of July family get-together picnic” (90). Most of the people who attend the picnic are former foster children who once lived with the Catanzes. One woman runs up to Lilian and Rudy and calls them “Mom” and “Dad.” Lilian explains to David that the woman, Kathy, was one of their first foster children. Kathy tells them that she is now married and has a good job and introduces everyone to her new baby.