It's been two months since the stabbings, and today is the day Baze get's to come home from the hospital. I was there if not everyday every other day; I was at the hospital as much as possible.
The judge sentenced Ben Walker to eighteen years without opportunity for parole a few weeks ago and terminated his rights over Baze. I made contact with Baze's Aunt and Uncle, Brianna and Mark Logan. Brianna is Ben's big sister but hasn't spoken to him in about six years. Mark owns his own mechanic shop and Brianna is an algebra teacher. They have five kids still in the home and two who are out. I'm not sure how ideal it is for Baze but they say they are more than happy to bring Baze into their home. Brianna says it will be good for him to have some authority in his life and that I couldn't possibly give it to him. Baze is less than thrilled and I understand why he doesn't want to live with them. For being a lower working class family, she is a very snotty woman.
Three days ago we met with a social worker and went to the judge; the judge gave custody to Brianna and Mark. Mark and I went to Baze's house and packed up his things yesterday and loaded them into Mark's truck. Everything was set and ready to go for today, except for Baze. He was very unhappy and he was letting everyone know it. He's been brooding for three days and was in no hurry to leave. Baze was feeling great and the doctor confirmed it, he had to watch what he ate and drank for awhile but he would be good. The doc said no sports and rough housing for a few months and that heavy lifting thing. Baze's physical health was great; the courts order him to talk to a therapist though so Brianna set one up in Seattle.
I had the chance to really get to know Baze the past two months at least as much as he would let me, there were subjects that we didn't touch, like his mom and dad and what happened after his mom died. But I learned that he liked to draw and paint, and that he absolutely loved to play baseball. Though he plays football, basketball, and runs track too, baseball is his ultimate love. He can play three positions; catcher, third base, and short stop. Baze said that he's played since he was four and has loved it ever since. He isn't totally sure if he wants to play in the big leagues, he says he isn't sure what he wants to do after high school. He seems like a really good kid and is very interesting to listen to him talk about the things he likes and the good stories from his past. Those conversations just made me want him to live with me even more and made this day even harder.
"Okay, Basil, say goodbye to Mr. Atwood, it's time to go," Brianna said outside the hospital after they got his things settled in the back seat. She didn't call Baze, Baze and no matter how many times I told her to call me Ryan, she wouldn't do it.
Baze looked over his shoulder at his Aunt and then back at me, "Isn't there anything you can do to stop this?" he pleaded in a whisper, "You could kidnap me."
I smiled at his last attempts, he reminded me of Seth, right then.
"Now how would that work, I would go to jail and you would go back to them. Come on they… well HE isn't too bad," I whispered back shaking my head.
"Oh yeah, that wouldn't be a great idea," Baze said thinking, "Damn it," that one was a little too loud.
"Baze, watch it," I said scolding him. But Brianna heard too.
"Basil King, watch your mouth!" Brianna yelled whipping around glaring at the both of us.
Baze waved an apologetic hand at her and turned to me.
"Let's go, now," she replied still glaring.
"Just try to make the best of it, and if you need anything you know the number," I said trying to help him out. But he glared at me too.
"See ya, Ryan, thanks for trying," he said sighing and giving in.
"Anytime kid, sorry I couldn't," I said putting out my hand for him to shake. He smile and took it.
"Call anytime," I said as he turned to walk away.
"Will do," Baze said and then walked over to the truck. He climbed in and then Brianna shut his door turning and again glaring at me. This woman thought she scared me but she doesn't realize I've took on the best of the best, Julie Cooper, all by myself plenty of times. She was nothing I couldn't handle.
I smiled and waved at her as she turned and climbed in the passenger side. I watched them drive off and then I got in my Range Rover and drove off, feeling pretty crappy.
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"Hey kid, have you heard from Seth," Sandy asked when I walked in the kitchen at their house.
"Ah… he's called me a couple times but I haven't answered because I've been busy with Baze. But I have 6 messages from him, I haven't checked. Why what's up?" I asked as I sat down.
"Ryan! It's a girl!" Sophie yelled on the top of her lungs as she ran into the kitchen with Kirsten following with her ears plugged.
"Really?" I asked looking at my parents as I caught Sophie who leaped into my arms. I had forgotten that they were finding out today.
Kirsten shook her head smiling from ear to ear.
"I'm afraid the Cohen men are now outnumbered, my boy," Sandy said also smiling.
"I think I am okay with that," I said thinking about it as Sophie messed with my hair.
"Me too!" Sophie yelled and I winced.
"Soph, honey, turn down the volume to an inside level, please," Kirsten said smiling as Sophie listened intently to her mom.
"Okay," Sophie said in her normal voice as she wiggled out of my arms. Once she had both feet on the floor she was gone again.
"A girl, huh," I said thinking about it as I sat down again.
"Yes, Summer is so excited and Seth is completely nervous," Kirsten said with a laugh.
"Cool," I replied laughing to as I pictured Seth with his daughter.
"So is Baze gone?" Sandy asked as he leaned against the counter with Kirsten on his arm.
I shook my head yes, "Much to his disliking, he wanted me to kidnap him until I explained how that wouldn't work".
"Sorry, Hon., we know how much you wanted the judge to side with you," Kirsten said sympathetically.
"Ay… I knew the chances of the judge going with me, I was prepared for it," I said smiling weary.
"Doesn't make it easier," Sandy replied as he stood up straight.
I shook my head 'no', agreeing with him.
"Have you heard from Taylor?" Kirsten asked. Taylor had payed a visit to Kirsten a couple times and Kirsten had made her case for Taylor just as many times. I would get out of work and Taylor would be standing at my car, she was back to the stalker Taylor and obsessive Taylor. One day last week she kept calling me so I finally went to lunch with her to get to stop calling, that lasted about two days before she started up again. It wasn't that I didn't want her back or that I didn't love her, but she broke up with me out of the blue with no explanation, she left me standing there. That had happened too many times to me.
"Of course, have I talked to Taylor, no," I replied smiling but Kirsten and Sandy weren't.
"It's my love life, guys, and she broke up with me and left and didn't answer my calls, I'm just giving her a taste of her own medicine. I'm not doing anything wrong," I said reacting to their looks.
"But you are because you still love her and you're lying to yourself about it," Kirsten replied as Sandy stayed quiet.
"I'm not lying to myself, I do still love her, but I can't just go back to her when she shows up at my door step, if I ever do, it's going to take time," I said standing up.
"Have you told her that, I am sure she will understand?" Kirsten asked as she stood up and walked over to me.
"Well… ah… no not exactly," I replied ashamed.
"Tell her, kid," Sandy said chiming in as he grabbed his beer and walked out of the room.
"Tell her," Kirsten echoed and then followed Sandy out.
I stood in the kitchen by myself as I thought about what they said.
*Sigh*, "Why do they always have to be right?" I asked myself as I turned and grabbed a Faygo from the fridge and then walked out of the room to join Sandy and Kirsten.