Chapter 29 Wheels in Motion

"Cap, phone for you," called Eddie. Johnny was out in the bay finishing up the last of a training drill. He smiled knowing it was probably JJ. Admittedly there was a slight twist of anxiety as he moved towards the phone in his office. She'd been so much better recently. Just last night, she'd slept through the night without any nightmare. It had been two nights in a row. He shook it off as he picked up the receiver.

"This is Captain Gage," he stated professionally, "How can I help you?" A tell-tale click informed him the other extension had been placed on the hook.

"Well, Captain Gage," a familiar voice replied, "I've heard you look incredibly foxy in your uniform and wondered if it was true."

Johnny grinned. "Hey Angel, to what to I owe this mash call?"

She giggled. "I sure hope they really hung up the other phone," she teased. "Anyway I just got some awesome news, love. The social worker assigned to Brian's adoption called to make an appointment to interview us and our references. Finally, we are getting close to the end of this process!"

"Janes, that is terrific news! So when are they coming? Have they talked to the DeSoto's, Kel Brackett, or Elaine Matthews yet?"

"Hmm, I don't know about that. Elaine hasn't said anything yet to me. Maybe she was asked not to or something?" she mused. "The social worker just wanted to set a time with us. I suggested we could meet with her tomorrow after lunch. I figured you would have time to rest in case your night is busy. I hope that is okay."

"Yes, absolutely," Johnny responded with excitement. JJ could almost imagine him cradling the phone between his shoulder and ear, rubbing his hands together in glee. There was a nervous pause. "Janey, what should I wear, do you think? I have no idea what I should wear to the interview," he admitted. "A suit? My uniform? Should I wear a tie or just go more casual? Maybe dressing up will seem like I'm trying too hard? Jeans seem kinda casual though…," he recited out loud as his thoughts rolled through his mind.

"Well, I'll be sure you have a couple of things ready to choose from, love. I don't think we need to dress up too much. Corduroys, and a shirt should do it, don't you think?" she told him confidently. "I'll probably wear a pantsuit or a jean skirt and blouse. I'm gonna go back over the house to be sure it is clean," she said thinking of all the places she'd want to spruce up. "The yard looks good, I think."

"Okay, yeah, okay. I'll see you tomorrow Janes. I love you," Johnny relayed.

"I love you too John," JJ replied.

The next day Rachel had a doctor's appointment after lunch. Around 1:30 pm the doorbell rang. Nova beat Johnny to the door. "Good afternoon," the lady said. "I am Vera Lister. I called about interviewing you, Mr. Gage."

Nova thrust out her hand. "I'm Nova Gage," she pronounced.

Ms. Lister bent over to shake her hand. "Very nice to meet you Miss Gage," she returned with a friendly smile.

"I'm two," Nova explained holding up two fingers.

Johnny chuckled nervously. "She's also extremely shy," he joked. "John Gage," he said introducing himself and extending his hand. He invited her in. Nova bounced from one foot to another. JJ walked into the living room from the back of the house as Johnny and the social worker entered. "Janes, this is Ms. Lister."

"I am very pleased to meet you," JJ acknowledged extending her hand. "I am JaneLee Gage. Please have a seat." She turned to Nova. "Sweetie, your Duplos are set up over there," she explained pointing to a preplanned spot. It was a ways away from the adults, but not so far that JJ couldn't supervise.

"I got them for the birthday," she said to Ms. Lister and went over to build.

"May I offer you coffee or iced tea?" JJ inquired.

Ms. Lister rejoined, "Thank you, no. I am fine." The three settled into the living room and Vera pulled out a notebook and pen. "I will be taking notes while we talk," she clarified. "This is just to allow me to get to know you both better and to see the environment Brian might be living in." Both JJ and Johnny nodded. "I know you all have been through this as foster parents, but these are the guidelines I must follow."

"Mr. Gage, may I begin with you?" she asked. "I realize much of what I am asking may be information you have submitted on forms. Unfortunately, it is part of the process.

"It is what it is," Johnny replied. "Brian is worth the extra effort." Johnny meant that. He understood that is was necessary, but still was privately irked at the duplicity of it all.

Questions involved his childhood, parenting style and social life. He felt calmer than expected as he detailed his tragic and sometimes turbulent childhood. "All in all I am very lucky I had an aunt care for me. Now I have this family. Plus my extended family is made up of friends from the firehouse and Rampart. We also have church support." He looked up at Ms. Lister and rubbed his palms on his thighs out of habit.

"Mr. Gage, you have a high risk job," Ms. Lister pressed. "Is it really appropriate for an adoptive parent?"

Johnny smiled patiently. He had expected questions along this line. "Please, call me Johnny. Well, his mom was a dental hygienist and died in a car accident. His father died four years before from cancer. I believe he worked in an insurance office. Both of those jobs are considered 'low risk'. I'm in a 'so called' high risk profession and I'm still here," he shrugged. "When it's your time, it's your time. As firemen, we train regularly. We have protocol in place to lessen our risk and a crew to watch out for each other. Lots of people with high risk jobs have kids. Why should adoptive parents be held to a higher standard? I love Brian. Isn't that what matters most?" he reckoned.

She gave a small smile, made a few notes and continued. "Tell me about your parenting, Johnny."

"I think it is important to spend time with your kids, to do things together. Brian and I fish. Sometimes we ride horses. We do a lot of outdoors activities as a family. He helps me work on the cars and we've built a few little things together. I like to talk to him while we hang out, to get to know him as a person. It seems to help when I have to correct him, having that communication and understanding. It is during our time together I can show him or talk about life situations and how to handle them. I expect a lot from Brian, but I also try to show him how to behave, to treat others. Character is important. We also do things for others. You know like fix stuff for older neighbors, help friends with painting, that sort of thing. It is important to give back to others. JJ and I are on the same page with all this and that is key too," he finished.

Again Ms. Lister made a few notes and then turned to JJ. Johnny was sitting by his wife on the sofa and leaned back casually draping his arm over the back of the sofa and around her shoulders. JJ leaned back against his arm a bit. He knew she was saying thanks for the feeling of support.

JJ was still raw from the whole abduction and was a bit more unsettled. Before they could start, Nova walked up and stood near her parents. She had entertained herself for almost 30 minutes and now wanted some attention. JJ leaned forward and beckoned to Nova. "Chipmunk, I can see your lovely building. You are doing a super job letting the adults talk. I want to check you hard work out in a bit. Would you like to get something to add to it?"

Nova shook her head enthusiastically. "Uh huh, I want you to help," she added with a stubborn tilt to her chin.

"I know you do. I want to too, but right now I have a guest so I can't. Remember, I told you we could either make cookies or new play dough later? Right now I need to visit." Nova bit her lip. "Nova, I put the box of farm animals out along with the tub of stuffed Pound Puppies on your bed. You can pick which one you'd like to use, but only one at a time, okay?"

"Okay. I'm gonna get the puppies first," Nova announced as she scurried off to get them. A short time later she returned with the box of Pound Puppies and dumped them out. Then started arranging them, giving them voices and talking to herself as she played.

"Sorry," JJ apologized. "She'd played pretty long by herself…" she explained.

"Not a problem," Ms. Lister assured her.

"First, please call me JJ," she requested. As JJ shared, Johnny often whispered comments to Nova and redirected her back to her play. Then JJ related her own childhood. "It was really an idyllic life. I did move a lot since my parents were missionaries, but I experienced so much too. Mom and Dad helped us see others beyond the surface things. I learned to help others, accept them where they were." She also told about her brother and the loss of all of her family later in her young adult life along with explaining how she went from nursing to being a writer. "I wrote romance novels first, then wrote an action/mystery book. In fact I was writing that when I came out here to care for my father. A few months later I met John and Roy when they came to the ranch on a medical call. John and I were friends for a little over a year before we decided to date. A few months later, we were married in Las Vegas.

"JJ," Ms. Lister began, "You have endured two major traumas as an adult," she paused looking over at Nova unsure how to word it.

"You mean New York, and the recent event, correct?" JJ supplied cryptically. She didn't want to say more in front of Nova.

"Yes. Does that impact your ability to be a good adoptive parent? Has it damaged John's and your relationship?"

"Of course it impacts me, but not in a manner that would prevent me from being a good parent. I have things I worked though, with support from John, close friends, even counselors and support groups," she said without shame. John and I are great. During this whole ordeal my faith and John have kept me anchored. We've talked openly as I've healed. She looked directly at Ms. Lister. "Can I still be a good parent? Absolutely! I have done what was needed and will continue to do so. I saw a therapist, have been part of support groups. In fact, I signed a release so you can talk to the therapist, if you like. I have nothing to hide," she finished. The emotion of it showed on her face and her eyes watered up. "These types of traumas certainly take an emotional toll. They are also an opportunity for growth. The real tragedy would be allowing criminal acts against me to keep Brian from having a stable family and becoming our legal son," her voice trembled with emotion and she swallowed hard.

"Do you have anything to add to what your husband said about parenting?" Ms. Lister asked politely ignoring JJ's emotional reaction.

JJ regrouped after a minute and continued. "We do a lot of reading and storytelling at home. With John's Indian heritage, we visit the reservation often and the kids are exposed to that culture, which has a strong oral storytelling tradition. He tells some of those stories to the kids. They love them, ask for them. I do more reading of books to them. You know, share my love of literature, I guess. I am especially focused on education. Brian is learning how to cook and convert measurements. He uses measurement when building things with John as well. I also feel it is important for children to contribute at home to the work load. Both kids have chores. We also give them each a small allowance they use to learn to manage money. Mostly, I want them to feel loved and safe. I also want them to grow up to be of high character and good productive citizens," she related in a more controlled manner. "Sorry about before, emotions got the best of me." She explained with some embarrassment. "What I went through was tough, really difficult. However, I love Brian. I can't imagine our life without him."

Ms. Lister tapped a pencil to her lips in thought. "How do you deal with conflicts and misbehavior that involve both children or are between the children?"

Johnny looked at JJ and she gave him the nod to go first. "Well, we haven't had many big arguments. Some skirmishes over Brian's Legos, channels on the TV or the like. Nova isn't supposed to get into his Legos, but well she does anyway at times. She is punished and has to apologize. If it happens again soon, she loses a toy for a while. We only had to do that twice. Now that she has her own Duplos we hope that problem will stop. Brian is really good with her, for the most part. The age difference is wide enough, I think it may give him some perspective. If he steps over the line, he is disciplined of course. Maybe loses a privilege or is grounded. We try to make the punishment fit the crime."

JJ chimed in. "There have been issues over the TV, but we established a rule that whoever is watching can finish the show they are watching and then must let the other kid have a turn. I really discourage too much TV. Most of the time, his friends are kind to Nova when they come over. Of course, I try keep her away from them. Kids that age don't care for tag alongs," she shared. "Now rowdy behavior is another matter," she said with a chuckle. "Some days they seem to wind each other up. I swear it sounds like a herd of wild wildebeests in here! Four feet can make quite a racket. Sometimes I can avoid it with some careful planned activities. Rachel is a pro at this. Other times I have to send them to their rooms to cool their heels."

Johnny added, "It isn't unusual to come home to a fort out of couch cushions and blankets on those days that take up most of the living room. Usually we accumulate a few neighborhood kids as well." His eyes twinkled. "Gage living room forts have a bit of a reputation in the neighborhood." He hugged JJ to his side.

Ms. Lister smiled. Then she flipped to a new page. "What can you tell me about your living nanny, Rachel Watkins?"

Johnny spoke first. "Rachel is great. She is patient with the kids, but also isn't afraid to correct them. She reinforces our rules and is a calm and steady person. Brian and Nova adore her. I am never worried if she is watching them."

"Rachel has been with us over a year. She is an aspiring writer and had published several things recently. She lives over the garage in a small studio. Rachel watches the kids part time so I can have time to write. If you need to talk to her, it can be arranged, of course. She should be home today around 2:20 if you want to talk to her today." This idea had already been discussed that morning with Rachel in case the social worker needed to interview her on the same day.

"Yes, well if she is back, I might do that," Ms Lister hedged, "or I can make an appointment to talk to her."

John took Ms. Lister around the house, while JJ made iced tea for them all. It was a tidy house, but not overly so. Vera Lister never liked to see a home too fussily kept. Of course, overly cluttered was not optimal and down right dirty was not acceptable. Dudley was curled up on Brian's bed awaiting his arrival home from school. "Brian loves Dudley," Johnny remarked. "I guess he'd never had a pet before. He helps feed Duds and brush him as well." She made a few notes. She saw no real safety issues or areas of concern with the home. That wasn't surprising to her since the wife was a nurse and the husband a fire chief. By the time they had finished the tour, including the yard, she met them on the front porch with the tea. Nova was already outside riding her tricycle up and down the drive and then around the sidewalk and within eye shot of her mother. She turned around right before Mrs. Simpson's drive and pedaled back up towards the drive. They sat on the front porch for a few minutes and sipped the tea.

"Sugar, Ms. Lister?" JJ asked as she handed the social worker her drink.

"No, thanks," Vera replied, "Please call me Vera. I would have offered earlier, but I find it helpful to keep a professional distance during the interview. I hope it wasn't too uncomfortable."

They both shook their heads. "Not a problem," Johnny assured her. JJ smiled in agreement.

Rachel pulled up and parked on the side street. She walked straight to the porch. Johnny introduced her to Vera Lister. Rachel was offered tea and sat with the family.

"I will need to interview Brian," she explained. "It will have to be alone, of course. Can you give me a good time?"

"Well, he is out of school at 4 pm each day. Otherwise, on the weekend, he is usually up and ready to go by 8ish. He heads to bed around 9:00 o'clock," JJ answered. She looked at Johnny. "Does he had any scout trips coming up or baseball games?"

Johnny pondered her question. "No, his overnight campout is in late June. His baseball games are usually on Thursday nights. He has practices on some Saturdays, but usually that is in the late afternoons."

"This Saturday would work?" Vera inquired.

"Yes, I believe so," Johnny answered. "I'll be on shift, but Janey will be here."

Vera nodded. "I stopped by the other property the other day as you suggested. I saw the fort," she said with a smile. "Does Brian ride the horses much?"

JJ replied. "Well he does some now, with supervision. At first, he only rode with an adult. He enjoys riding, but isn't as horse crazy as Nova. She still rides with one of us. However, the horses are very gentle," she finished.

"I'd like to interview you this Saturday before or after Brian, if I might," Vera told Rachel.

"Yes, of course," Rachel answered thinking she might have to rearrange plans but saying nothing. "Just let me know the time."

Vera nodded. "Well, I'll talk to Brian and will finish up contacting your references. I expect my report will be finished and ready to be submitted in a couple weeks. After that, all the information will be placed in a file and reviewed by my superiors. If your request is accepted, the next step will be securing a place on the docket of a judge. Whether accepted or denied, you'll be contacted as soon as that decision is made," she explained plainly. Noting both of their concerned looks she added, "So far I am pleased with what I have learned so don't be discouraged. Of course I can't know the final outcome. Could I stop by maybe after lunch? I'd hate to spoil cartoons for Brian," she said with a smile. "How about 2:00 pm?"

Johnny let JJ answer since he wouldn't be home. "That will be great."

Rachel answered, "Would you like to see me before or after Brian?"

"Whatever works best for your Miss Watkins," Vera replied.

"Rachel, please," she urged. "How about 1:00 pm? We could visit at my place over the garage."

"That will work fine," Vera answered. She handed her card. "I'll see you then. I'll just knock on your apartment door. Call me if something changes." Vera finished her tea and stood up. "Thank you so much for making time to see me." She shook each of their hands. As she descended the steps, Nova parked her trike on the grass and opened the picket gate.

Rachel looked to the Gages. "Sooo, I'm going to do some writing, okay?"

"Sure," Johnny replied. "Thanks for setting up the interview, Rachel."

She just gave a quick dismissive wave, smiled and hopped off the porch. With a quick jog around the house, she loped off to her apartment.

"Hi!" Nova said greeting Vera. "Mommy, I'm thirsty," Nova called out. JJ handed her a cup she'd brought out. "What it is?" Nova asked.

"Juice," JJ replied. JJ waved good-bye and gave Nova her attention while Johnny walked Vera to the gate. After Vera pulled her car away from curb, Johnny trotted back to the house with long strides that ate up the ground. He stroked Nova's head as she drank the last of her juice. Her little brown eyes shone up at her dad and she pressed against his leg. JJ turned to Johnny. "So, what do you think, John?"

Johnny shrugged by raising his eyebrows. "I think it went okay. I can't think of anything that would have messed the adoption up. I just wish we could get this deal sealed. It's taking forever." He placed his arm around JJ and looked down at Nova. "So, kiddo what is it going to be cookies or play dough?"

Nova smiled. "Cookies!" she squealed in glee. JJ gathered up the glasses and looked at her husband.

"Did you coach her?" she teased.

"Nope, she's just a chip off the old block," he grinned.