Don't Save It All For Christmas Day
The sound in the courtroom was low as people talked amongst each other or to themselves. Others were busily texting or playing games. Over the double doors, the clock ticked off the seconds until the court proceedings would begin. Two minutes and counting.
John walked down the aisle between the benches to the first row. Dressed impeccably in a suit and tie, his appearance belied the nervous tension inside tying his stomach into knots. He stopped at the first row.
"Hi Samantha," he greeted with fake cheerfulness.
Samantha turned around in the chair at the long table, removed her glasses. "Hey John. Hi Taylor," she said happily to the little boy dressed to match his guardian.
"Hi Miss Samantha," Taylor said in a tiny voice. His fingers itched to scratch, but he had promised John to not fidget. He didn't want the judge to look at him in a weird way. No, it could wait until they got home, he told himself.
"Now, no need to be nervous. The judge is going to ask how you're doing and if you like living with John," she said. Her smile was sweet and reassuring.
"Yes, ma'am."
"You look very handsome, Taylor," she complimented. "Do you remember what to say?"
Taylor nodded. "Yes."
"Okay. Here comes the bailiff," she said under her breath. A short, non-descriptive, bespectacled uniformed man walked into the courtroom. Immediately, quiet filled the room.
"Anyone with cell phones or electronic devices are instructed to turn them off now, or be held in contempt of court. Please remove all gum and items from your mouth," the bailiff stated in an authoritative tone that left absolutely no room for argument. Dozens of people hurried to accommodate the request.
The clock struck nine.
"All rise! The court has come to session! The Honorable Samuel L. Gates presiding!" the bailiff called out in a clear voice. Everyone rose as the black robed judge walked in from the antechamber to the bench.
"Please be seated," Judge Gates said as he took his chair. "Good morning, Carl."
"Good morning, Your Honour." Carl handed a folder over. Judge Gates glanced at it quickly.
"The State of Pennsylvania Protective Services vs John Benjamin Reese," Carl called out.
"That's us," Samantha whispered. She stood up. "Samantha Groves-Fusco, Your Honour. I will be representing John Reese during these hearings."
"Hello, Mrs. Groves-Fusco," Judge Gates greeted cordially. "We meet again."
"We do, Your Honour."
"Kara Staton representing Child Protective Services, Your Honour," the tall, slender brunette spoke up from the table on the left.
"Ms. Staton," Judge Gates acknowledged her presence.
"You have my report. We believe that circumstances have changed, and since the guardian is deceased, the living arrangement have become deplorable. It would be harmful to keep the minor living in that house."
"Your Honour," Samantha interrupted, "that report is bogus."
Indignant at the accusation, Kara straightened her posture. "Are you calling me a liar?"
"Would you rather I use fraudulent?" Samantha challenged, straightening her spine so she appeared taller. "The report is not truthful. Not once since Sara Carter's death has one visit been made to the residence to do an evaluation on Mr. Reese and his charge," Samantha informed in a precise tone that dared Kara to contest her evidence.
"That's not entirely true, Judge Gates."
Judge Gates lips thinned in annoyance. It was too early for such shenanigans. And it didn't help that his coffee pot broke before he could get his first cup of sanity. He sighed, weary of the early morning bickering. "Which part, Ms. Staton?"
"We have attempted to visit the residence and make an assessment, but we were unable because of the storms."
"So...you lied?" Judge Gates asked in surprise. The audience gave a short chuckle that died down before order could be called. "I repeat my question, Ms. Staton."
Fuming at the turn about, Kara shot Samantha a sideways glance. "I must have been given the wrong information," she deflected without admitting guilt.
Judge Gates turned his gaze to the front row. "Taylor, please approach the bench. You also, Mr. Reese."
Taylor stood up on shaky legs and walked toward the bench. He tried not to hold his breath, but it was getting hard to breathe.
"How are you doing, son?" Judge Gates asked sincerely with a smile to reassure Taylor and put him at ease.
"I'm good."
"I have your school reports here. You're making straight A's. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"Are you adjusting to living with Mr. Reese?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do you like living with him?"
"Your Honour, I object!" Kara stated emphatically.
"This is not a trial, Ms. Staton; it's only a hearing to see how Taylor is adjusting since Mrs. Carter's passing. Please be seated," he directed the counselor. "Taylor, do you like living with Mr. Reese?"
"Yes. Yes, sir."
"Mr. Reese, I have your reports from your VA sessions. Your progress is commendable and coming along nicely, I see."
"Thank you," John humbly answered.
"Your job situation, though..." Judge Gates flipped some of the pages. "Your funds are running low?"
"There was a snafu with my disability payments," John confessed, "but we're fine. I have been hired by Zoe Morgan to do some contracting inside her coffee shoppe."
"I have Ms. Morgan's verification of Mr. Reese's employment here." Samantha handed it to Carl. "She has employed him from right before Thanksgiving until one day after Christmas."
Judge Gates nodded his approval. "That's an improvement. It definitely helps your situation."
"Mr. Reese is about to be rendered homeless," Kara announced out of the blue. A hush filled the courtroom. Taylor's fingernails began itching. John stopped him.
"That's not entirely true, Your Honour," John contradicted. He prayed that his cheeks weren't as red.
"I have evidence that the house was left to Sara Carter's granddaughter and Mr. Reese has thirty days to vacate."
John and Samantha shared a terrified look at the public revelation.
"Mr. Reese?" Judge Gates prompted. His brows were raised in anticipation at what information could be given to counter the accusation.
"The house was left to both of us, with the condition that we both live in it until the day before Christmas. Thirty two days," John added quickly.
"I see. What happens at the end of the end of thirty two days?"
"If it is required, I hope to have a residence by then."
"However, you do have a residence now?"
"I do."
Kara stood up. "Your Honour, I request that we remove the child from the residence and sever Mr. Reese's guardianship. It is evident that he has no job and is soon to lose his home. I request an Emergency Custody Order to have the child removed from Mr. Reese's guardianship, and be placed in foster care until we can establish a more permanent home for him. Or until we can locate his biological father."
"Have you located him, Counselor?" Judge Gates asked Samantha.
"No, we haven't. We are hopeful, though, that he may turn up. However, I would like to counter Ms. Staton's petition and request that Taylor be allowed to remain with Mr. Reese as his guardian. He is thriving and doing well. Yes, the lack of a job and potential loss of residence is a black mark against him, but I argue that to take Taylor away so soon after Sara Carter's death and right before the holidays could be detrimental to his emotional well-being."
Judge Gates leaned back in his leather chair and absorbed both arguments. The seconds ticked by slowly.
"I agree, Mrs. Groves-Fusco."
"What?!" Kara exclaimed angrily.
"Twenty-seven days from now I want to see all parties and get a progress report."
"Your Honour, we believe that Mr. Reese is detrimental to the child's well-being."
"Explain."
"He is a single man raising a child—a young boy—by himself. Studies have shown—" Kara recited arrogantly.
Judge Gates eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Studies have shown what, exactly, Ms. Staton?" He held up his hand to halt her response. "Before you reply, let me remind you that I am a single father raising a young boy on my own."
Kara swallowed hard.
"Unless you want to be held in contempt of court, I advise that you think twice before you slander someone's character. Twenty-seven days from today I want to see all of you." Judge Gates hit the gavel twice to dismiss the participants and have the final say. A huge sigh filled the room.
"Wow! I didn't see that coming," Samantha said under her breath as she gathered up the files and shoved them in her leather briefcase.
"Good try, Samantha," Kara sneered as she walked over to the table.
"That was low, Kara."
"Whatever it takes. I'm good at my job. And you're good at..." She cast a glance at John and Taylor "...hard luck cases. You won this round, but the next time..."
"You can play dirty all you want, Kara, but Taylor is going to stay with John."
"Not if I have anything to say about it."
Samantha's smile was saccharin sweet, but her eyes were speaking volumes. "I know how you play your games, and I'll do my best to expose you. Until then, do your job and I'll do mine—which is ensuring that Taylor stays with his parent."
Kara turned around, bumping into John. "Oh, the PTSD veteran," she said disparagingly. "I'm going to make sure you never get Taylor. If it takes every bit of my power and authority to make that happen, he will never reside with you. That is my mission." Kara smiled brightly when Taylor appeared. "Back to work."
"Did she just say that?" Samantha asked in disbelief. "I wish I had had my phone on." Inwardly she cursed the justice system.
"It's alright, Sam." John looked at his watch. "We have to go."
"Thursday, okay? Lionel's counting on it."
John gave her a weak smile and a wave before escorting Taylor from the courtroom. Under her breath, Samantha cursed. An unfamiliar lawyer pushed her aside and began setting up.
"Next case," Bailiff Carl called out. "The people vs Savannah Allen.."
There has to be some way to thwart that evil woman, Samantha though to herself. "Maybe I can get Lionel to dig up some dirt on her."
But until then, she needed to get her ducks in a row and make sure Taylor stayed with John.