The Tutor

Chapter 11

The Court

"Please rise," said the bailiff.

Wufei, Duo, Darlene, and Mrs. Chang rose along with the rest of the spectators.

Duo gulped as Solo and a few other men were led into the court in handcuffs to be arraigned.

Solo gave Duo and Darlene a brave grin that was belied by his worried eyes and Darlene touched her fingers to her lips. Duo flashed him a quick victory sign.

"You may be seated," announced the bailiff. "Court is in session. Judge Marion Claven is presiding."

Everyone sat. "First case," announced the bailiff. "Solo Maxwell, assault, 2nd degree. Do you have a plea?"

"Not Guilty, your honor," said the court appointed attorney that had been assigned to this case. He was a fresh-faced young man with blond shaggy hair.

"Mr. Winner, are you Mr. Maxwell's attorney of record?"

"I am," said the young man. "We're entering a plea of not guilty. The assault was in self-defense, my client claims."

"Very well," said the judge. "Bail will be posted at $1500.00, subject to forfeit if your client does not appear on the designated court date. Understood?"

"Answer her," directed Mr. Winner to Solo, under his breath.

"I do," said Solo, clearly.

"We will hear this case this same time, in one month from today. The court will inform your attorney of the particulars. Bailiff, release the prisoner."

The bailiff walked over to Solo and took off his handcuffs.

"Where do I pay the bail money?" Darlene asked Mr. Winner. He pointed to a small desk near the bailiff's stand.

"Over there," he said. "Did you have a problem raising bail?" he asked kindly.

"Well, it took all our savings, but I managed," said Darlene.

"Don't worry," said Mr. Winner, smiling at her. "You'll get it back when Solo is found innocent. I believe him. His uncle has a long history of domestic violence complaints and DUI charges."

Duo stood up eagerly as Solo was led out of the courtroom, and they all followed him outside.

"Hey there, big bro," said Duo, sounding choked.

"Come here, kid," said Solo, embracing him in a huge bear hug.

No one said anything as they stood there with their arms around each other for long seconds.

"I guess I let you down, kid," said Solo finally. "This time, things just got totally out of hand. But, he threatened you, Duo. I don't want you going back there, I don't care what happens. That man is evil."

"Me?" echoed Duo. "He threatened me?"

"Yeah, I don't want to go into it now. I just want to go home." He sounded weary, suddenly. Darlene put her arm around him and he gave her a long embrace next.

"Duo is staying with us," said Mrs. Chang after a moment. "We're glad to have him. He is like my own son."

Solo gave the petite Chinese woman a grateful look. "You must be Wufei's mother. I'm sorry about all of this, really."

"Yes, I'm Ruby Chang," said the woman, holding out her hand. Solo reached over and shook her hand gingerly.

"Don't apologize," said Ruby. "I understand what it's like to have problems with family. But, we're family now. Family should help one another."

Solo gave her an appraising look. "You're very kind," he said finally.

Wufei stood back, and now came forward and extended his hand to Solo.

"I'm sorry we didn't get to finally meet under better circumstances," he said.

"So, you're Wufei," said Solo, smiling. "I've heard a lot about you."

"I'm sure," said Wufei gravely, but his eyes crinkled at the corners as he glanced a Duo.

"My mother knows about Duo and I," he added quietly, gauging Solo's reaction.

"Oh, I see," Solo said. He looked over at Mrs. Chang.

"Mr. Maxwell," she began.

"Please, call me Solo," said Solo. "After all, we're all family." He grinned in a genuine way.

"Solo," then, said Mrs. Chang. "I want to consult my cousin, who is a very good attorney, about having Duo placed in my home in a foster situation until he reaches majority, which I understand will be in a few months. Is that acceptable to you?"

"I think so," said Solo. "Anything to get him out of my aunt and uncle's house. I won't let him go back there if I have to rot in jail forever!"

"Another option is to have him declared an emancipated minor, but this will be easier."

"They sure won't let me have him until all this mess is cleared up," said Solo glumly. "So, your offer is our best hope."

"Hey, everyone, remember me?" asked Duo, bouncing on the balls of his feet to gain the group's attention.

"Isn't anyone gonna ask me what I want?" he asked.

Solo grinned down at him. "Okay, what do you want?"

"I want Wufei, first," he said almost shyly.

"Well, that's obvious," said Solo.

"But, we're just trying to work out a way where you don't have to live with Aunt Jean and Uncle James anymore. That's the most important thing."

"I know," said Duo. "And, I ain't goin back there, I don't care if the cops come and try to make me." He stuck out his chin defiantly.

"I don't think it will come to that," said Mrs. Chang softly.

"Me neither," said Solo. "The only reason Aunt Jean might try to get you back is pure spite."

"Let's hope she stays so dead drunk she forgets to be spiteful, then," said Duo sourly.

"He stays half the time at our place anyway," said Darlene. "They dump him every chance they get. Not that we mind," she added quickly. "It's just that they're his legal guardians, and he can't officially move in with us."

"My cousin says that there should be little problem getting Duo fostered to me, as long as we can prove his guardians are imcompetent."

"That shouldn't be too hard," said Duo. "The cops are out there every five minutes to bust up a drunken fight."

Wufei put his hand on Duo's shoulder. "That's all going to be in the past very soon," he said.

"Duo, you're coming home with us, aren't you?" said Mrs. Chang.

"Yeah, sure," said Duo. "Will you guys bring the rest of my stuff over later?"

"Sure," said Darlene. "I just want to get my man home right now. You don't mind, do you?" she asked everyone.

"Completely understandable that you wish to be home now," said Mrs. Chang.

"I'll see you later, bro," said Duo, hugging his brother tightly around the middle again.

"Sure, kid," said Solo tiredly.

"Come on," said Wufei, pulling Duo over to him. "Let them go home, they need some time alone."

"I know," said Duo.

"I'm here for you," said Wufei, putting his arm around Duo and leading him outside, as he watched Solo and Darlene ahead of him.

"Hey, I must have done sumthin right to deserve you," said Duo, pulling Wufei into a close embrace when they got outside in the bright California sunshine.

"Snogging me on the courthouse steps isn't going to go unnoticed," said Wufei dryly, giving Duo a brief fierce hug in return and then gently pushing him away. "Save it for home."

"Tease," said Duo, quietly.

"Good things come to he who waits," Wufei whispered, as they got in the back seat of Mrs. Chang's car.

"You got that out of a fortune cookie, didn't you?" asked Duo, rubbing Wufei's cheek lightly with the back of his knuckles.

"Of course," said Wufei.