Jessie and Randy continued to talk for several hours and they both seemed to be in a trance. That is until his phone rang again. Slowly he opened his phone. "Hey John what's up?" Jessie couldn't hear what exactly was being said but she knew by the look on Randy's face that it wasn't good. Randy quickly closed the phone and grabbed her hand. "We have to go." She nodded.
"Is everything ok?" He took a deep breath and didn't want to lie to her.
"Well um, in case you haven't noticed it's really late and well they are looking for you." Jessie cringed, she was in for it.
"What did John say?" Randy smiled, she was super observant. They stopped walking and Randy knelt down in front of her.
"He said that that everyone had looked everywhere for you and that they found cigarettes in your room." She sighed knowing that she had used all her cigarettes and those must have been planted. Oh well she was used to it. Jessie shrugged. "Aren't you worried?" Jessie laughed.
"Duh, but hey life sucks." Randy smiled.
"I got an idea." He stooped down and rubbed some dirt on her cheeks and then picked her up in his arms. Jessie wanted to fidget and get down but she felt strangely comfortable in Randy's arms. Slowly she rested her head on Randy's shoulder and she smiled.
"What are you doing?"
"Shhh, just look tired and let me do all the talking." Jessie was skeptical but agreed. Randy walked into the large house where all the staff and John were and looked around. "Sorry we're back so late, but the little one got tired and then I got lost." All the other staff left and only John, Chris, Richard the head of staff, and Randy and Jessie. Randy fidgeted as all the two men stood there staring angrily at the man.
"Do you expect us to believe that Mr. Orton," Richard said. Randy nodded.
"Yeah I do because it's the truth." Chris laughed he knew good and well that Jessie never fell asleep until way after twelve.
"Jessie Martin I know you're awake. Now explain these cigarettes!" Jessie's head snapped up from its resting place on Randy's shoulder, but she attempted to keep up the groggy routine.
"Hmm, I'm sorry what did you say?" John laughed, she was good.
"Jessie, tell us why you have cigarettes." Richard was staring at her like he was going to murder her. This only made Randy more scared for her. Jessie had told him some things and all he could think about right now was getting her out of this place. She slowly began to come out of her 'trance' when she realized they were only getting angrier.
"They're not mine." Richard laughed.
"Then who's are they?" Jessie rolled her eyes.
"They're probably Leslie's you know she hates me. Oh wait that's right, she's your pride and joy. So hmm let me see. I guess this mean s that everything I say about her is wrong then." Jessie smiled, while Chris scowled.
"Jessie," he said in his low warning tone. Jessie held onto Randy with a death grip but kept talking.
"No Chris really, if I didn't know any better I'd say that Rich here and little Leslie have something going on." That was it for Richard and he lunged at Jessie only to be held back by John and Chris.
"Jessie that's enough, get down and go to your room," Chris said. Jessie shook her head. "You know I don't take disrespect now go." Jessie looked at Randy with pleading eyes. His heart broke into a thousand pieces. It was do or die time, he had to do something.
"Ok everybody calm down here, you're scaring the child." Richard scoffed still being held by John.
"That's the point."
"Please just listen to me, she's scared." They rolled their eyes. "Ok, how about I take her for a day and let things cool down then bring her back."
"Are you kidding me? That's illegal one, and two you're not a certified foster parent." Randy laughed, his last girlfriend was a social worker.
"Actually, I don't need to be. In Florida all I need is a docket for temporary custody." John raised his eyebrows but remained quiet.
"I'm sorry Mr. Orton but that's not possible," Chris said.
"Actually, I think it is." They all turned around to see very skinny brunette walk in with long legs and a blue blazer. She looked around the room. "Alright boys stop gawking, my name is Vanessa Sutton and I have an interest in the minor child. "So here it is, I have reason to believe that this child has been abused and given cigarettes." Richard stepped forward.
"Ma'am I can assure you that this is not the case." Vanessa raised her eyebrows.
"Oh really?" Quickly she turned toward Jessie who still perched in Randy's arms. She grabbed Jessie's hand slightly and noticed the nicotine stands on her hands. "Care to explain this?" Both men remained quiet.
"What do you propose Ms. Banks?" Richard said through gritted teeth. She smiled.
"To release to minor in the custody of Mr. Orton in hopes of finding her a permanent home." This was when Chris stepped in.
"Ma'am we have been working to get her placed for years, but she is a troubling child to place." Jessie was heartbroken, Chris was the only one who ever cared about her and now he was acting just like everyone else. Like she was just a part of his job description.
"Well, I am now working with a newly established adoption agency and we will work solely to find her a good permanent home. All I need is for you to sign the papers that I will have faxed to you in the morning." Neither man budged. "Or I can have the press here tomorrow along with my co-council. They sighed and nodded their heads. Randy nodded and walked out of the room and out of the building.
"What about my clothes?" Randy shook his head. I'll buy you new ones tomorrow. Jessie smiled. He was a good friend.