Silent Heartbeats 6: Crown of Thorns
By Maureen
***
"So, Catie, what was up with Jamie?" Val asked, concerned. He had been undergoing a rapid metamorphosis over the past few weeks. He had drawn into himself; nearly becoming introverted even for a bleacher junkie and refused to hang with anyone save Catie.
"He's not adjusting as well as he wants everyone to think he is. He's so dependent on Alex or someone for a lot more than we realize and it's like someone took a dagger* and stabbed his pride. He's seeing a doctor about it, but it's slow."
"Isn't his custody hearing soon?" Val asked, wondering if this tied into it.
"Yeah, next Wednesday. He won't admit it but he's scared shitless."
"Have they found his dad?"
"No, but Alex said that they will have the hearing regardless. I want to help him, but he won't let me close. We're kinda going out too…" Catie trailed off, hurt evident in her voice over the phone.
"What if we have a party for him after the hearing? We're all going right?" Val suggested, hoping that maybe he needed another friendly confidence boost. She rolled over on her bed so she could see if Brooke was coming. She didn't know that Val and the others were going to the hearing and was not supposed to know, as she had to go to school. "We could hold it at the station since we're all on call that evening."
"Sounds good to me. I'm going to the hearing, and I assumed everyone else would too. That's why Alex scheduled you not to come on until almost 6:00pm."
"Cool, well, I have homework to do, see you on Monday, alright?" Catie asked. Bleacher junkie or not she still wanted to get into a good university and the only way that would happen was to keep her grades up.
"Monday. Bye!" Val repeated, before hanging up the phone. She was worried about Jamie; he was sinking rapidly into depression, while pretending that everything was fine and dandy.
***
*Ready?* Alex asked, as Jamie stepped into the living room the following Wednesday. He was attired in his EMT uniform trousers, a white button down shirt and his black doc martens, freshly polished.
"Yeah." Jamie replied dully, not looking forward to going to court yet again. At least this time he wasn't on trial.
*No boots.*
"Boots stay. For luck." Jamie insisted. He might be forced to wear nice shoes to school but he'd be damned if he had to wear those bloody uncomfortable shoes today.
Alex shrugged, handing him a navy blue sports jacket. When Jamie looked at it, he realized it wasn't his school jacket like he thought. On the lapel were two pins, one saying EMT and the other with Jamie's official rank of gofer. On the breast were three small ribbons that he did not know the meaning of. *Your dress uniform jacket.* Alex explained at Jamie's confused look. *You've earned everything on it.*
"Mine?" Jamie repeated dumbly. He knew that somewhere in the station he had a dress uniform jacket but he had never had a reason to wear it. Alex helped him into it and then knotted the matching navy blue tie.
*Yours* Alex chuckled at his bewildered expression, before shrugging on his own uniform jacket. His lapels showed his rank of station captain and he had a myriad of colored ribbons on his breast pocket. On the kitchen table was a navy blue officers hat with gold piping and the EMT crest. Alex picked it up smartly and opened the door with Jamie to proceed. He was not an officer so he did not get a dress hat.
***
The courthouse looked as menacing as it always did to Jamie. A large building with heavy wooden pillars in front and a large oak door stood resolutely in the center as if saying 'all decisions here a final so if you don't like it, tough!'. Jamie gave a mental shudder as he climbed out of the passenger seat of Alex's 1995 Honda Accord, here his future for the next 2 years could be decided with barely a yay or a nay from Jamie..
They met Jamie's caseworker, an overworked woman named Jean Williams and the state-appointed lawyer that Jamie had spoken with several times, at the front door. "Ready, James?" the lawyer asked, not bothering to wait for an answer or a reminder that the rhetorical question fell upon deaf ears.
Inside the courtroom Jamie was surprised to see Hank, Tyler and Val in their dress EMT uniforms as well and Catie sporting what appeared to be a casual suit. As they walked up to the defense table everyone waved, and Hank and Tyler's free hands were touching slightly. Jamie smiled and flashed the thumbs-up sign, thankful for their support.
They sat down and shortly after the bailiff walked in and announced to everyone that they should rise for the judge. Jamie's father was notoriously absent. Both lawyers postured a bit and presented their cases to the judge instead of the jury because there was no jury for cases like this. However, both sides knew that Jamie would continue to stay with Alex at least until Peter Waite Sr. was found. In his case plan they were attempting reunification between Jamie and his father, despite Jamie's protests of never wanting to see him again.
Finally the judge called Jamie to the witness stand and after being sworn in, allowed the lawyers to question him through a state-provided translator.
*Other than the incident approximately 5 weeks ago, did your father ever beat you?*
"Yes, sir."
*How often?*
"Only about once a week until Peter left, then it increased to 2 or 3 times a week."
*When did Peter leave?*
"This past August. He left for college." The seemingly moot questions went on forever, each one apparently more redundant that the last. Finally he was allowed to step down. Much to Jamie's surprise he had somehow managed to keep his temper in check throughout the questioning.
*Good job* Alex signed to him as he sat back down.
"Court will recess for thirty minutes." The judge announced banging on his gavel.
Everyone filed out of the courtroom into the hallways and Jamie could see the prosecuting lawyer heading off towards the restrooms. Jamie decided to head the opposite way to the vending machines and quickly fed some spare change in for a candy bar. *Hey* Catie signed, giving him a hug. *You okay?*
Several times on the stand it had seemed like he was about to break down, especially when he was forced to describe the last beating in graphic detail, but he'd look over towards Alex who would nod or to Catie and seem to collect himself once again. "Yeah, it's just intense. He didn't even come, but I'm not I would have been able to deal with this if he had." They didn't even need to mention who 'he' was.
Before they could continue the rest of the EMTs walked up, Tyler and Hank grinning silly grins at each other. They somehow managed to tear themselves away from each other, to slap Jamie on the shoulder for support and give him some words of encouragement. Between work, practice and school their sign language classes were not taking priority and they did not have the gestures to express what they wanted to say, unlike Catie.
"So, how is the happy couple?" Jamie asked, eating his snack. They were standing around so they did not muss their uniforms and Jamie could see Alex and the caseworker conferring out of the corner of his eye.
Catie and Val giggled at that non sequitur, but it was a valid question. Tyler turned an impossible shade of red and closely resembled a cherry with sandy blonde hair. Hank didn't turn red although he squirmed in his dress shirt, loosening his tie in embarrassment. Val came to their rescue saying "They're so cloyingly sweet I feel like I'm going to get a cavity! You should come out of the office or store rooms and hang with us more!"
Jamie glared at her and looked at Catie who was still giggling. "Damn it!"
"Oh." Realizing her mistake, Val's hand flew up to her mouth and it was her turn to turn red in humiliation. Catie came to her rescue and quickly translated what she had said.
"Yeah, I might." Jamie replied, having no intention of doing so. This was yet another reminder that he couldn't hang with them like normal anymore.
After thirty minutes they filed back into the courtroom, the EMTs presenting a united front behind their friend. "Please be seated" the bailiff announced as the judge made himself comfortable on the bench.
"After careful consideration of the case presented as well as considering Mr. Waite's wishes, I have come to the conclusion that it is in his best interests to remain with Mr. Alex Freeman." The EMTs could not contain themselves at this news and began to cheer. The judge banged his gavel to restore order and once they had quieted he continued, "This has been demonstrated not only by Mr. Peter Waite's inability to be present at this hearing and psychologist reports but also takes into account Mr. James Waite's personal preferences. This hearing is over!"
Everyone rushed forward to Jamie, hugging him. He just grinned like a maniac, almost not believing it. The girl down the street at what was now officially his old house had been in and out of foster homes as long as Jamie could remember and was always returned after a few months. She had told him the horror stories of both, of how she was little more than a servant and play toy for her foster parents and a punching bag for her real parents. His greatest nightmare after the one about his father reappearing was being sent to a foster home.
***
They headed to the station where Brooke had decorated it with red and blue streamers and hung a sign saying 'Jamie Day'. Below it was a small cake and a few presents. Everyone walked in before Jamie and when he did, he was shocked. He stood there mutely, mouth agape and missed seeing Brooke hissing at Val when she realized her older sister had skipped school.
*Well, what do you think?* Alex asked finally.
"Wow...but why?"
*Because silly,* Catie said, *we care about you and wanted an excuse to get you out of the store room!*
"Open your presents, Jamie!" Brooke chirped, bouncing from foot to foot. He somehow managed to understand her meaning and sat down across from them on the couch. She handed him the first box, obviously large and heavy. He tore open the wrapping paper surprised at the coke box underneath it. He opened the end and tons of Styrofoam popcorn fell out, coating the floor. He looked inside the box and nothing was there.
"What the - ?" he asked, confused. Catie leaned over and began rooting through the popcorn. A second later she emerged from the popcorn, a triumphant grin gracing her features. She proudly handed him a small flat box with an envelope taped to it.
He opened the envelope first, and pulled out a card with a pug in a bumble be suit. When he opened it up the words 'congrats Jamie! You kick butt!' were scrawled across it in Catie's familiar handwriting. When he opened the box there was a shiny link necklace in it like he had been wanting for a while. Engraved on the center links was his name, one letter per link. He quickly unhooked it and rehooked it around his neck, leaning over to give Catie a hug. *Thanks.*
The next present came from Val and Brooke. They gave him three new books to read, Val had picked them from the stack at the bookstore the weekend before. Tyler and Hank gave him a couple t-shirts, the first was white and said 'I drive fast, run lights, rip off car doors. I'm not crazy I'm an EMT!', the second was gray and had the EMT logo with the words 'Emergency Medical Technician' written underneath it in blue.
"Oh, guys, thanks," Jamie said, truly touched. He quickly shed his jacket and shirt and donned the gray EMT t-shirt.
They ate the cake quickly, unfortunately forced to work by Alex's demand for excellence. As Jamie mopped the floor at the front of the station he smiled, truly touched by his friends.
Maybe I didn't give them enough of a chance, Jamie thought, remembering how they skipped school and rallied for him at the trial and then held the 'Jamie Day' party.
Notice of Hearing on Petition for Termination of Parent-Child Relationship
"A failure to appear at the above-referenced hearing, or to otherwise notice the court in writing of good cause and inability to appear prior to the date of the hearing, will result in a judgement being entered against that parent. This means that the parent's rights to the above-named child will be terminated and the parent's child may be placed for adoption."
- this is a paragraph from the newspaper for a child custody hearing (they are required to be printed somewhere within the paper). I only included the important paragraph as opposed to the entire thing. This chapter was written before I knew of this rule and I really don't want to change it because this is a *tad bit* more dramatic, but here is the correct information.
A/n: *reference to Shattered by BE!
**I don't know if custodial hearings of minors are public or private but for the sake of my story they are public.
***EMTs do not have dress uniforms but my basic theory is if you have a regular uniform then you should have a dress uniform too (this from the girl who wore uniforms, including dress uniforms for about ½ of forever).
By Maureen
***
"So, Catie, what was up with Jamie?" Val asked, concerned. He had been undergoing a rapid metamorphosis over the past few weeks. He had drawn into himself; nearly becoming introverted even for a bleacher junkie and refused to hang with anyone save Catie.
"He's not adjusting as well as he wants everyone to think he is. He's so dependent on Alex or someone for a lot more than we realize and it's like someone took a dagger* and stabbed his pride. He's seeing a doctor about it, but it's slow."
"Isn't his custody hearing soon?" Val asked, wondering if this tied into it.
"Yeah, next Wednesday. He won't admit it but he's scared shitless."
"Have they found his dad?"
"No, but Alex said that they will have the hearing regardless. I want to help him, but he won't let me close. We're kinda going out too…" Catie trailed off, hurt evident in her voice over the phone.
"What if we have a party for him after the hearing? We're all going right?" Val suggested, hoping that maybe he needed another friendly confidence boost. She rolled over on her bed so she could see if Brooke was coming. She didn't know that Val and the others were going to the hearing and was not supposed to know, as she had to go to school. "We could hold it at the station since we're all on call that evening."
"Sounds good to me. I'm going to the hearing, and I assumed everyone else would too. That's why Alex scheduled you not to come on until almost 6:00pm."
"Cool, well, I have homework to do, see you on Monday, alright?" Catie asked. Bleacher junkie or not she still wanted to get into a good university and the only way that would happen was to keep her grades up.
"Monday. Bye!" Val repeated, before hanging up the phone. She was worried about Jamie; he was sinking rapidly into depression, while pretending that everything was fine and dandy.
***
*Ready?* Alex asked, as Jamie stepped into the living room the following Wednesday. He was attired in his EMT uniform trousers, a white button down shirt and his black doc martens, freshly polished.
"Yeah." Jamie replied dully, not looking forward to going to court yet again. At least this time he wasn't on trial.
*No boots.*
"Boots stay. For luck." Jamie insisted. He might be forced to wear nice shoes to school but he'd be damned if he had to wear those bloody uncomfortable shoes today.
Alex shrugged, handing him a navy blue sports jacket. When Jamie looked at it, he realized it wasn't his school jacket like he thought. On the lapel were two pins, one saying EMT and the other with Jamie's official rank of gofer. On the breast were three small ribbons that he did not know the meaning of. *Your dress uniform jacket.* Alex explained at Jamie's confused look. *You've earned everything on it.*
"Mine?" Jamie repeated dumbly. He knew that somewhere in the station he had a dress uniform jacket but he had never had a reason to wear it. Alex helped him into it and then knotted the matching navy blue tie.
*Yours* Alex chuckled at his bewildered expression, before shrugging on his own uniform jacket. His lapels showed his rank of station captain and he had a myriad of colored ribbons on his breast pocket. On the kitchen table was a navy blue officers hat with gold piping and the EMT crest. Alex picked it up smartly and opened the door with Jamie to proceed. He was not an officer so he did not get a dress hat.
***
The courthouse looked as menacing as it always did to Jamie. A large building with heavy wooden pillars in front and a large oak door stood resolutely in the center as if saying 'all decisions here a final so if you don't like it, tough!'. Jamie gave a mental shudder as he climbed out of the passenger seat of Alex's 1995 Honda Accord, here his future for the next 2 years could be decided with barely a yay or a nay from Jamie..
They met Jamie's caseworker, an overworked woman named Jean Williams and the state-appointed lawyer that Jamie had spoken with several times, at the front door. "Ready, James?" the lawyer asked, not bothering to wait for an answer or a reminder that the rhetorical question fell upon deaf ears.
Inside the courtroom Jamie was surprised to see Hank, Tyler and Val in their dress EMT uniforms as well and Catie sporting what appeared to be a casual suit. As they walked up to the defense table everyone waved, and Hank and Tyler's free hands were touching slightly. Jamie smiled and flashed the thumbs-up sign, thankful for their support.
They sat down and shortly after the bailiff walked in and announced to everyone that they should rise for the judge. Jamie's father was notoriously absent. Both lawyers postured a bit and presented their cases to the judge instead of the jury because there was no jury for cases like this. However, both sides knew that Jamie would continue to stay with Alex at least until Peter Waite Sr. was found. In his case plan they were attempting reunification between Jamie and his father, despite Jamie's protests of never wanting to see him again.
Finally the judge called Jamie to the witness stand and after being sworn in, allowed the lawyers to question him through a state-provided translator.
*Other than the incident approximately 5 weeks ago, did your father ever beat you?*
"Yes, sir."
*How often?*
"Only about once a week until Peter left, then it increased to 2 or 3 times a week."
*When did Peter leave?*
"This past August. He left for college." The seemingly moot questions went on forever, each one apparently more redundant that the last. Finally he was allowed to step down. Much to Jamie's surprise he had somehow managed to keep his temper in check throughout the questioning.
*Good job* Alex signed to him as he sat back down.
"Court will recess for thirty minutes." The judge announced banging on his gavel.
Everyone filed out of the courtroom into the hallways and Jamie could see the prosecuting lawyer heading off towards the restrooms. Jamie decided to head the opposite way to the vending machines and quickly fed some spare change in for a candy bar. *Hey* Catie signed, giving him a hug. *You okay?*
Several times on the stand it had seemed like he was about to break down, especially when he was forced to describe the last beating in graphic detail, but he'd look over towards Alex who would nod or to Catie and seem to collect himself once again. "Yeah, it's just intense. He didn't even come, but I'm not I would have been able to deal with this if he had." They didn't even need to mention who 'he' was.
Before they could continue the rest of the EMTs walked up, Tyler and Hank grinning silly grins at each other. They somehow managed to tear themselves away from each other, to slap Jamie on the shoulder for support and give him some words of encouragement. Between work, practice and school their sign language classes were not taking priority and they did not have the gestures to express what they wanted to say, unlike Catie.
"So, how is the happy couple?" Jamie asked, eating his snack. They were standing around so they did not muss their uniforms and Jamie could see Alex and the caseworker conferring out of the corner of his eye.
Catie and Val giggled at that non sequitur, but it was a valid question. Tyler turned an impossible shade of red and closely resembled a cherry with sandy blonde hair. Hank didn't turn red although he squirmed in his dress shirt, loosening his tie in embarrassment. Val came to their rescue saying "They're so cloyingly sweet I feel like I'm going to get a cavity! You should come out of the office or store rooms and hang with us more!"
Jamie glared at her and looked at Catie who was still giggling. "Damn it!"
"Oh." Realizing her mistake, Val's hand flew up to her mouth and it was her turn to turn red in humiliation. Catie came to her rescue and quickly translated what she had said.
"Yeah, I might." Jamie replied, having no intention of doing so. This was yet another reminder that he couldn't hang with them like normal anymore.
After thirty minutes they filed back into the courtroom, the EMTs presenting a united front behind their friend. "Please be seated" the bailiff announced as the judge made himself comfortable on the bench.
"After careful consideration of the case presented as well as considering Mr. Waite's wishes, I have come to the conclusion that it is in his best interests to remain with Mr. Alex Freeman." The EMTs could not contain themselves at this news and began to cheer. The judge banged his gavel to restore order and once they had quieted he continued, "This has been demonstrated not only by Mr. Peter Waite's inability to be present at this hearing and psychologist reports but also takes into account Mr. James Waite's personal preferences. This hearing is over!"
Everyone rushed forward to Jamie, hugging him. He just grinned like a maniac, almost not believing it. The girl down the street at what was now officially his old house had been in and out of foster homes as long as Jamie could remember and was always returned after a few months. She had told him the horror stories of both, of how she was little more than a servant and play toy for her foster parents and a punching bag for her real parents. His greatest nightmare after the one about his father reappearing was being sent to a foster home.
***
They headed to the station where Brooke had decorated it with red and blue streamers and hung a sign saying 'Jamie Day'. Below it was a small cake and a few presents. Everyone walked in before Jamie and when he did, he was shocked. He stood there mutely, mouth agape and missed seeing Brooke hissing at Val when she realized her older sister had skipped school.
*Well, what do you think?* Alex asked finally.
"Wow...but why?"
*Because silly,* Catie said, *we care about you and wanted an excuse to get you out of the store room!*
"Open your presents, Jamie!" Brooke chirped, bouncing from foot to foot. He somehow managed to understand her meaning and sat down across from them on the couch. She handed him the first box, obviously large and heavy. He tore open the wrapping paper surprised at the coke box underneath it. He opened the end and tons of Styrofoam popcorn fell out, coating the floor. He looked inside the box and nothing was there.
"What the - ?" he asked, confused. Catie leaned over and began rooting through the popcorn. A second later she emerged from the popcorn, a triumphant grin gracing her features. She proudly handed him a small flat box with an envelope taped to it.
He opened the envelope first, and pulled out a card with a pug in a bumble be suit. When he opened it up the words 'congrats Jamie! You kick butt!' were scrawled across it in Catie's familiar handwriting. When he opened the box there was a shiny link necklace in it like he had been wanting for a while. Engraved on the center links was his name, one letter per link. He quickly unhooked it and rehooked it around his neck, leaning over to give Catie a hug. *Thanks.*
The next present came from Val and Brooke. They gave him three new books to read, Val had picked them from the stack at the bookstore the weekend before. Tyler and Hank gave him a couple t-shirts, the first was white and said 'I drive fast, run lights, rip off car doors. I'm not crazy I'm an EMT!', the second was gray and had the EMT logo with the words 'Emergency Medical Technician' written underneath it in blue.
"Oh, guys, thanks," Jamie said, truly touched. He quickly shed his jacket and shirt and donned the gray EMT t-shirt.
They ate the cake quickly, unfortunately forced to work by Alex's demand for excellence. As Jamie mopped the floor at the front of the station he smiled, truly touched by his friends.
Maybe I didn't give them enough of a chance, Jamie thought, remembering how they skipped school and rallied for him at the trial and then held the 'Jamie Day' party.
Notice of Hearing on Petition for Termination of Parent-Child Relationship
"A failure to appear at the above-referenced hearing, or to otherwise notice the court in writing of good cause and inability to appear prior to the date of the hearing, will result in a judgement being entered against that parent. This means that the parent's rights to the above-named child will be terminated and the parent's child may be placed for adoption."
- this is a paragraph from the newspaper for a child custody hearing (they are required to be printed somewhere within the paper). I only included the important paragraph as opposed to the entire thing. This chapter was written before I knew of this rule and I really don't want to change it because this is a *tad bit* more dramatic, but here is the correct information.
A/n: *reference to Shattered by BE!
**I don't know if custodial hearings of minors are public or private but for the sake of my story they are public.
***EMTs do not have dress uniforms but my basic theory is if you have a regular uniform then you should have a dress uniform too (this from the girl who wore uniforms, including dress uniforms for about ½ of forever).