Chapter 8 The Adoption
"Okay, what is it," Jeff asked.
"Well, you know how we've talked a few times about how we feel like a family? And the last time we even talked about me adopting you?" Phineas began.
"Yeah," Jeff said.
"Well, if you want to make it official, we can do it now, while we're here," Phineas finished and waited.
Jeff paused only a moment, "you still want to?"
"Of course I do. But the decision is yours."
"Definitely!" Jeff exclaimed and they moved to embrace. When they let go Jeff spoke, "wow! we've gotta tell Susan, and, well everybody!" He was clearly ecstatic.
"That's why this is such a good time," Phineas said. He continued when Jeff's expression showed that he didn't understand. "This is Convergence. Most everyone will be here, it'll be officially on record. Then, if we ever run into another voyager out in the field, they'll automatically know you're my son."
"Remember the first time you called me son?"
"Over Eddie what's his name, the pilot," Bogg said.
"Eddie Rickenbacker, yeah, and I went to introduce you and didn't even know your name," Jeff answered, filling in the gaps. "We sure have done a lot together since then."
"Yeah, so let's find Susan and share our news over lunch."
They had a great lunch with Susan, and then stopped back at Counselor Troy's office.
"I enjoyed reading your detailed report on Voyager Bogg," Troy told Jeffrey as he handed them the adoption form.
"You both need to sign this form and then answer questions at a hearing in front of the Tribunal. Paul Trainer is an attorney here and will serve as Jeff's advocate, if that's agreeable."
"I don't know him," Phineas said.
"That's best," Troy said.
"Okay."
"What's an advocate?" Jeff asked.
"An advocate is a person whose job is to see that your rights aren't violated. That you aren't being coerced into anything," Troy explained.
"But this is my decision, well, ours together really," Jeff told him.
"We have to follow the rules. You will meet with him alone, before the hearing. I'll send the paperwork over to his office."
"He made it sound like it was something bad," Jeff remarked when they were far enough away that he couldn't be heard. "I mean, come on, we've been voyaging together for over a year. Doesn't he have a clue?"
"He's a pencil pusher. We just have to do what he says," Phineas answered, but inwardly he hoped his answers would be good enough for the Tribunal, whatever their questions were.
"I hope this advocate isn't a creep," Jeff said.
"He's trying to help a kid get adopted, how bad could he be?" Bogg said reassuringly.
"Yeah, and Drake was trying to get rid of rotten Voyagers so history would think he was a hero," Jeff finished.
"Can't you ever look on the bright side of things first?" Bogg teased.
"It's enough that one of us does that," Jeff answered him, then smiled as Bogg rested his hand on Jeff's shoulder as they walked. "By the way, what the heck is that thing you wrote under Date of Birth on the form?"
"That's when I was born," Bogg answered.
"First full moon in Spring, 1610? That's not a birthday. Why won't you tell me your birthday?"
"Kid, that's all I know about it. In 1610, on the first full moon after the ground was thawed enough to plant in England."
Jeff looked at him sideways, "that's a pathetic birthday Bogg," he said.
