Greetings!
As promised, here's the next chapter. This is a tear jerker chapter...you may need a tissue or two.
-Two weeks later-
"Tyler, do you think you could stop fidgeting long enough for me to comb your hair?" Aunt Aisha said in an exasperated tone. She had shown up early that day to help Tyler get ready for the hearing with the judge. If all went well then the Judge would finalize the adoption and her best friend would legally be the boy's father after all these years.
"Hey Aisha, you're here early." Rocky said as he stepped through the door.
"Somebody had to get this hair under control. Where's Adam?"
"He's on his way, He had to stop by the dojo to give Tommy the money for their lot at the camp site. You need any help?"
"Only if you can get our favorite nephew to sit still for a minute so I can comb his hair."
"Aisha, I can barely sit still for a 30 seconds without moving." he said with a smirk. "Let me see if I can help." Aisha rolled her eyes and handed him the comb.
Rocky pulled up a chair, straddled it and grinned at his nephew. "You nervous?"
Tyler nodded at his uncle. "I don't want the judge to yell at me. They sure do look scary on TV."
Rocky chuckled softly. "Not all judges are like Judge Judy. I promise. The only reason she yells is because the people in her court are idiots. And you, Mr. Park, are anything but an idiot. Now, come on, why don't we finish your hair?"
"But what if she says no?"
"Who? The judge? I wouldn't worry about that." Aisha said coming out from behind her desk. "I've gone before Judge Hastings before. She's a fair judge, you guys have nothing to worry about."
"And all of us will be there in support. And then later we're all going camping to celebrate."
"But what if Jason comes after me? I don't wanna die!"
If anything the boy was becoming more and more hysterical. It took a moment for Rocky to figure out what the boy was upset about. He looked his nephew in the eyes. "I need you to calm down Tyler. Look me in the eye."
When the boy obeyed Rocky continued in a soft soothing tone. "I want you to close your eyes and take several deep breaths okay?" For a few moments all they did was breathe and soon the boy was a lot calmer.
Rocky continued. "Now look at me." When he had his nephew's attention he continued. "Now, I want you to listen to me okay?"
Tyler nodded.
"Movies like that and characters like Jason Voorhees are just make believe. Behind that hockey mask is just a guy who gets paid to act like a psycho."
"You mean like an actor?"
"Exactly. And those people in the movie? They didn't really die. All those bodies you see on the screen along with all that blood and gore? Those are just a bunch of props that a lot of talented people worked many months to create. So don't you worry okay? If there was some psycho maniac walking around, then current power ranger team would come here and deal with them okay?"
Tyler nodded still looking unsure but then in the next second relaxed as he was drawn into a hug by his uncle.
"Touching moment." Adam commented finally making himself known. "What did I miss?"
"Just attempting to ease your son's fears. He was scared that Jason Voorhees would come after him while we went camping tonight."
"I see…and how did you even hear about him?"
"Jared and his gang. He told me that Jason Voorhees like to go after weaklings and losers like me. He said there were too many and they needed to be bliviated….what ever that means."
Adam knelt down by his son's chair as Rocky worked on his son's hair.
"This Jared sounds like a lot of trouble. Its probably a good thing you don't go to school with him anymore." He looked his son over and then nodded in approval. "Perfect."
After giving Tyler a tight hug, he stood up addressing Aisha who was dressed in black business coat and skirt with a yellow silk shirt underneath. And she wore the necklace her grandmother had given her. The same one that had protected her when the Hate Master had been unleashed.
"So, when's the hearing?"
"In an hour, we should get going. You all ready?"
"As I'll ever be. I don't know what it is about judges and officials that make me nervous…" he trailed off seeing Aisha smirk at him. "What?"
"Like father like son. Tyler feels nervous about this too."
He grinned at his son. "It's okay Ty. We can be nervous together."
"So, how do we do this today?"
"Well, as a rule, Tyler has to ride with me to the courthouse. We go in there, I'll speak for you for the most part. The judge asks you a question you answer honestly. The adoptions been approved already so all this is really just a formality. When you walk out of there you'll be family for real. Then tonight we go have fun. It's as simple as that."
"Unfortunately, as I'm there to represent you guys, I have to maintain a professional air about this, so while we're in there you can't refer to me as Aisha, or Aunt Aisha, It's miss Campbell while in the courthouse." she said giving all the guys a stern look.
"Yes Ma'am." Rocky said fighting the smirk that threatened to appear on his face.
"Good, now, one last thing. If any of you guys have any sort of metal on you its best to leave it in the car or here in my desk."
After checking their pockets and appearances one last time they all left for the courthouse.
When they pulled up to the courthouse, Aisha took a few moments to check her hair and makeup before getting out of the car. Tyler was a nervous wreck but he remembered what his uncle had said and took several deep breathes again.
After going through the security check point they all walked down the hallway to Courtroom 4 in the middle of the building and then sat down on the bench. Aisha crouched down in front of Tyler.
"It's going to be fine I promise. You just stand there looking cute and if the judge asks you any questions you tell the truth okay?"
"Ok, Miss Campbell."
"Good. Now you wait here with Adam while I go check in with the judge."
Several minutes went by and at last Aisha came back for them. "Okay, the judge is ready to see us. Come with me." Then she ushered Tyler in the door and then walked in next to him and had him sit in the chair next to hers and then she gave him a reassuring smile as Adam sat down in the chair and gave his 'son' a grin.
Judge Hastings was a slightly plump woman in her late 30's with short red hair. She look over them all with bright green eyes.
"Miss Campbell, what have you brought me today?"
"Your honor, I'm here with Tyler Park who has been a ward of the state since his birth. He was found on the steps of the Angel Grove Dojo. We don't know the mother as she left him wrapped up in an old jacket still attached to the afterbirth and covered in blood.
Adam Park and his friends are all members of the dojo but Adam was the one who found him. His quick actions saved the baby. He gave him his first bath and wrapped him up in a towel from the locker room and then took him immediately to the ER. Tyler would have died if they hadn't acted immediately."
"Wait a minute." the judge interrupted "Why do they share the same name if their not related?"
"Your honor, when they got to the ER. Mr. Park was given the option of naming the baby since they needed a name for the birth certificate. Adam gave him his name and his last name too. Because of his lack of job and the fact that he was barely 18 and had no job other then his small stint at the Angel Grove stunt show, he chose not to adopt the baby in hopes that a more stable family would adopt him."
"I see. And now, 6 years later you want to adopt him Mr. Park?
"Yes your honor." said Adam in a respectful tone. "After that night I enrolled at the college to get a nursing degree and I work at the shelter at the head nurse. I was surprised that after all these years that no one had adopted him. I believe it was the fact that he was a drug baby and he has several health problems and no one wanted to go to the trouble."
"And you wish to take care of him yourself?"
"Yes your honor. I have grown to love and care for Tyler as if he was my own son. I have the knowledge now to get him up to the level other boys his age are at. I have him on a nutriuous eating plan and have him taking a couple vitamins to help him stay healthy."
"Excellent. Now, what are you going to do about his education. His records indicate that he was expelled from Angel Grove Elementary for his violent outbursts. What are you going to do to keep him out of trouble and to make sure he doesn't fall behind?"
"Your honor, I don't believe he really has any violent outbursts and any fight he got into was the result of bullies picking on him. Normally, he's very shy and keeps to himself. But unfortunately the principle of the school doesn't see it that way and neither do the parents. They petitioned for Tyler to be expelled after fearing for their kid's safety."
"I have gotten with an old teacher of mine, miss Appleby who teaches at the high school, she was able to set me up with a curriculum and a lesson plan. My friends and I are all going to be pitching in to make sure he doesn't fall behind."
"Every Friday I'll be turning in his work to her for grading. When the end of the year comes she'll turn in his grades to the state so they can pass him in to the next grade. We have no plans for leaving the city. So, he'll most likely be home schooled for the rest of his schooling years."
The judge nodded and then looked beyond Adam and looked at their friends.
Who were watching the proceedings intently.
"All of these people are going to pitch in?"
"Yes ma'am. Aisha said. They're all a pretty tight knit group. They all came here in support of Mr. Park and Tyler.
"I see. Well, this all looks very promising and all your papers are in order, I have just a few more questions before I make this all legal."
"I have seen many kids come through here with the same problems…the one that stands out the most is his emotional problems. His violent outbursts for one. What are you planning to do about them?"
"My friends, Tommy Oliver, and Jason Scott, and I have all been working with Tyler on his anger issues. I've seen a significant improvement, we've also been teaching him to channel is frustrations into other physical activities."
"Such as?"
"Putting him through basic Katas and going a few rounds with a practice dummy or with the jumping ropes."
The judge looked at the group of people sitting behind them.
"Which one of you is Tommy Oliver?"
Tommy stood up. "I am your honor."
Please approach the bench.
When he did so, the judge looked down at him. "Are you a certified instructor?"
Yes your honor. I've been training in martial arts since I was 8. I'm a 3rd degree black belt and am working on starting up my own dojo along with my friend Jason Scott and Rocky De Santos."
"And can you attest to the improvements that Tyler has made since beginning the program?"
"Yes your honor. He is really beginning to improve and he's learning to control his anger and he's a lot calmer then when he first started out. But I think that's more because of Adam. He's taught Tyler several breathing exercises and techniques to help him stay calm when he's stressed out. Adam is calm by nature, he's spent a lot of time with Tyler and as a result Tyler's calm."
"Well, that's wonderful. You may be seated Mr. Oliver. "
"Thank you your honor."
When he was seated again the judge continued.
"Two more questions. I need to ascertain that you have a stable home life. Have you prepared a room for him to stay in?"
"Yes your honor. I have upgraded to a two bedroom apartment in the apartment building. He has his own bedroom next to mine. Its fully furnished with a bed, a dresser and closet full of good clothing, bookcase, a play station and a TV as well as several books for me to read to him."
"Wonderful. One last question and then I'll sign the papers. Tyler Park would you please stand up?"
"Yes your honor." he stood up and took a deep breath before meeting the judge's eyes.
"I need to know that you are happy with this arrangement. Do you want to live with Mr. Park?"
"Yes your honor. He's a great dad! I can't wait to live with him."
Adam chuckled and looked at him with shining eyes. And Aisha looked ready to cry. But she held it in check.
"Excellent. I wish you both the best life has to offer. Miss Campbell please approach the bench so we can sign the certificate."
"Yes your Honor." Aisha said approaching the bench. She watched as the judge signed the paper and then handed it to her. She signed her name and then handed it back to the judge who put the stamped it with the seal of the state of California then she picked up her gavel.
"By the authority of the Town of Angel Grove and the state of California, I declare the adoption of Tyler Lee Park to Adam Lee Park official and he will be recognized as such for the rest of his days. And congratulations to the both of you."
"Thank you your Honor." Aisha said as Tyler got up and ran to Adam and jumped into his arms.
Aisha felt one tear escape her eye and was discretely handed a tissue by the judge.
Adam held his son tight. "Your mine forever son."
"I love you dad." Tyler said before kissing his dad's cheek.
Then Adam walked over to his friends and everyone hugged them and began to walk out the door.
"Mr. Oliver! Please stay behind for a moment, I want to speak with you."
"Yes your honor." he hugged Tyler one last time before telling them that he'd meet them in the parking lot.
"Yes your honor?"
"Mr. Oliver, I have a daughter who used to be in martial arts. She had her first tournament and lost. I'm afraid she's lost her enthusiasm. She quit the dojo and I am surprised that no one, not even her sensei tried to talk her out of it. Is that the way that it's supposed to be?"
"Not at all your honor. The point and main reason for even taking up martial arts is about building character and self esteem. I'm ashamed to say it but there are some dojo's out there that are only there to make money. In my opinion, they don't deserve to be open."
"Thank you for your honesty. I know she enjoyed the classes. I would hate to see her give up on something she enjoyed.
Tommy was quiet for a moment, How about you bring your daughter over to the youth center. If you like I can try to talk to her about it. If she wants to continue I can get her into some classes and we can go from there."
"He gave her his card. When you want to bring her by the youth center give me a call and I'll be there."
"Thank you Mr. Oliver. You're dismissed."
"You're welcome, your Honor." and with that, he walked out the door to join his brothers.
30 minutes later
Adam Park and his new son pulled into an gas station 10 miles from the campsite to get ice and to gas up the car.
They walked into the gas station hand to pay for the gas when a loud scream was heard Adam looked up to see a big man holding a knife to his son's throat. His cohort started firing shots randomly.
"All right, everyone listen up! This is a hold up. Everyone give up your valuables and empty the cash register or the boy gets it!"
Adam fought back the fear and despair he felt as he looked into his son's frightened eyes.
He shot his son a worried glance.
"Everyone on the floor now. Think I'm kidding? He put the knife away and pulled out a gun from his waist band.
"Oh God Tyler…don't move…please don't move. He thought as he got on the floor.
Tyler looked at his dad on the floor. "No! I just got him! I'm not gonna let these bullies take him away from me!"
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion for Adam. He looked up to see his son stamp down on one foot and bite the man's hand at the same time he saw a flash of something and then heard his son cry out before falling in front of him.
In that next second, the door busted open and Tommy came in followed by Jason who sprang into action disarming the thugs and soon they were both down.
Not that Adam noticed. He only noticed a puddle of blood that was forming under his son. "Oh Hell No!!"
Tommy and Jason made sure the thugs were out cold before looking at the boy on the floor.
"Tyler!!!"
Yeah, I know its a cliffe. Your positive responce will get the next chapter up quicker :D
Its okay for those of you who burst into tears during the hearing. I cried while typing that part too.