Chapter 12.
Joanna's heart sank.
She was sitting in a courthouse watching her aunt and uncle fight for legal custody of her.
"ENOUGH!" She shouted and everyone was silenced instantly.
"Joanna…" Maxine warned her, giving her a stern look.
"Is there something you wish to say Miss Hanshaw?" The judge asked patiently.
Joanna looked around the room, meeting the gaze of each person, biting her lip as she chose her words. Mustering up all the courage she could, she spoke up and what she said left a few of the others a bit shocked.
"I find it unfair that I am forced to sit here and listen to my own family argue about my life and future like I have no say."
"Miss Hanshaw…" Farrin said.
"Joanna." Said the young girl interrupting mid sentence.
"Joanna, until you are legally an adult it is up to either your legal guardians or at this point, the state, to decide what's best for you." The judge said.
"But I want to stay here, with the Ely's." Joanna said, shaking her head, "I love my life. I am discovering that I am not only a Hanshaw but I am also an Ely, I have seven loud, annoying, sometimes gross cousins that have started to accept me as their own. They have been there when I have needed a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to, a helping hand when I have struggled with day to day life, they have taken the time and showed me so much patience with even the smallest of tasks. My grandpa Mac is easily my best friend at this point in my life. He does everything in his power to ensure I'm well cared for and I am. I'm scared of the thunder storms out there but he knows that and he's helped me get through the night and I honestly would not change it for the world." She looked over at Maxine who held a hand to her chest, tears in her eyes and the words that had been spoken.
"The statistics of kids in your situation don't end well. It is very hard for only child kids to blend well with big families and it would be even more so for a twelve…" The caseworker, Farrin said.
"Thirteen." Joanna interrupted.
"A thirteen year old girl living on a ranch with seven boys just can't end well. Sooner or later you will become a young lady and I don't see a group of teenage boys being equipped to deal with that situation,"
"I live with my grandfather in his cabin on the property. It's a place I rest my head at night and a place that helps me get ready to start my day. I'm not living with the boys 24/7 so I'm confused what you mean by situation?" Joanna said slowly
"You must know what changes your body will go through as you become a teenager. You need a strong woman in your life, not a man surrounded by grandsons" Farrin said, talking to her like she was an idiot.
Luke had to put a hand on Maxine to calm her, noticing the way her breath hitched at the caseworkers comment, his jaw clenched in a hardline and a hard look in his eyes as he tried to keep calm. The cowboy felt very out of place in the courtroom and was ready to leave the moment he walked through the door but his wife needed him and more importantly, Joanna needed him. He couldn't walk away and was reminded of that when he felt his wife intertwine her fingers with his to, letting him know that they were doing this together and they were fighting for their family.
"Like you're saying between my grandfather and aunt Max they aren't equipped to help me deal with things like periods, mood swings, body aches, growing boobs and other fun stuff." Joanna listed the things off on her fingers.
"Yes." The case worker said.
"Bit late to the party, I got my first period, two months after moving here." Joanna said with a small huff, remembering the night like it was yesterday. "I panicked so badly when it first happened, I didn't know what it was at first and my poor grandfather sounded ready to break down the door until it hit me what was happening and I then became hysterical. I cried out wanting my mom more than ever but I knew that wasn't going to happen. Aunt Max was away at a teacher's conference and it left my grandfather in an awkward situation but he did good by ringing up a neighboring ranch and Gram was at the cabin as quickly as she could. In the meantime, I was still crying and kept myself locked in the bathroom so my grandfather sat down by the other side of the door and talked to me, he asked me questions trying to distract me, he asked me to tell him about my childhood, what it was like growing up in Kentucky, what I loved about it and it hurt to talk about it but it made me smile to remember the good times, those memories I will always hold dear. Sure enough Gram showed up and helped me get sorted for the time being. She then had me curled up on the couch, stroking my hair as she explained everything that was going on, answering any questions I had. My grandfather left when she showed up to give me privacy and he only came back when Gram said she had to go home. They both offered to let me go back with her for the night but I knew I couldn't do that every month, this was something I had to get used to so I let her go and I chose to trust my grandfather. I still trust him, I trust all the Ely's."
"We all appreciate the story you shared with us, but that isn't enough to persuade the board. There is a lot more to consider from multiple parties." The judge said.
Joanna shook her head as her vision blurred from the tears that formed in her eyes.
"No, I am starting to call this place home. You can't take that away from me." She said.
"It's not up to you to decide. It is what Miss Walker decides is for your best interest." The judge said.
"What do I need to do?" Joanna looked at the caseworker. "How do I prove to you that this place is my home?"
"Miss Hanshaw…"
"Joanna." She corrected Farrin.
"Joanna, we can't just let you keep living like this, knowing you could have a better future."
"Please, it's taken me this long to settle and I'm starting to make friends."
"Mrs Ely, you look like you have something to say." The judge said, noticing the other woman shift in her seat, opening her mouth to say something before she closed it.
"With all due respect your Honor and Miss Walker." Maxine spoke up, "Me and my husband can confirm what she is saying. She had become quite close with a group of lovely kids from school and one of them lives on a neighboring ranch. She has found her feet and has a good routine and I honestly think it would be a shame to uproot her again."
"I hear what you are saying and I will add this information when I talk to the board. Like I said, it is not my decision, I merely bring the needed information to the board and they decide. We are legally bound to hold a hearing in court in front of a judge as this is part of the process." Farrin explained.
"What happens in the meantime? Until the board decides." Maxine asked, an ache rising in her chest.
"Joanna looks to be well and getting the care she needs so for the time being I am happy to allow her to stay in your care." Farrin said.
"Have we reached a conclusion?" The Judge asked the caseworker.
"We have."
"Then Joanna Hanshaw will stay in the custody of Lucas and Maxine Ely until the board comes to a decision. Meeting adjourned." The judge said, the sound of her gavel drawing the meeting to a close.
No one talked on the ride home.
Joanna sat in the back seat of Maxine's car, just wanting to be back home, not in Kentucky but to Three Ponies Ranch. She didn't feel like talking and knew the two adults didn't feel like it either.
Maxine looked ready to cry but she tried not to let it show, Luke had the same expression on his face that he had in the courtroom. Jaw clenched in a hardline, a hard look in his eyes and his face left with no emotion.
It was weird to see him looking so serious and without his usual cowboy hat. He was dressed in clean dark blue jeans, a smart button up shirt and a pair of clean cowboy boots, it was very different from his usual faded jeans, dusty white shirt under a checkered flannel, dirty boots and of course his hat.
Maxine looked no different than when she dressed for work. As a history teacher she always dressed smartly and appropriately.
With a sigh the young girl watched the world pass by her in a spectacular blur until the car reached its destination. Stepping out she wondered how numbered were her days in this place she called home and where would she go?
Authors note...
Woohoo Chapter 12 done! Honestly didn't think I would make it this far but I have so many ideas and will end up turning this into a mini series as Joanna gets older and faces more challenges.
Please leave a review and let me know what you think. Thank you! :) :)