Five For Fighting
Rated: PG-13
Disclaimer: I Own Nothing
T.H.I.R.T.E.E.N.
The courtroom though it wasn't really a courtroom, just a small office like room with ten or so seats and long table for the state people to sit behind was overheated and was making me sweat under the thick cable knit sweater I was wearing to ward off the cold winds blowing outside. I was nervous and my hands were clammy as I gripped them tightly on my lap in front of me. The Masters were seated one on either side of me and further down the table was an identical pitcher of water to the one placed in front of us, already half empty as Darry drained glass after glass in rapid succession, I guess the heat was getting to him too.
The Masters had identical tightly drawn expressions on their faces, neither of them had spoken to me much that week and were obviously taking my decision to fight for my brothers as a personal insult. I didn't blame them and I hated to hurt them but every time I looked at my brothers down the table I knew I couldn't stand living with anyone but them.
It was a private hearing so the gang couldn't come even though they had wanted to, Darry said they'd have to settle for waiting in the house for us to get back, hopefully with all of my belongings with us. The Masters didn't know, but I was already packed…or maybe they did.
The people from the state came in together, a line of black business suites and briefcases sitting down at the front table.
I really didn't know what to expect, fighting and yelling maybe, the slamming of the gravel, lawyers marching in, restraining orders…all the things you see in a courtroom drama on TV. Instead, they talked to Darry about his ability to take care of me as well as Soda and Pony and asked about his job and finances and other things that I knew Darry didn't like to talk about cause of his pride, but he handled it all real well and came off sounding like an adult that could take on the world. Then they talked to me about anything and everything and finally ended with asking me where I would rather live. I answered as honestly as I could, saying I wanted to be with my real family even if the Masters were really nice people and I thought Darry could and would take really good care of me cause Pony was always complaining about Darry making him study all the time and stuff.
The Masters didn't have a lot to say when they were asked for comments, just that they felt it would be in my best interest to stay in a stable environment where money and safety wasn't an issue. I saw Darry clench his fists at this comment and wished to God the whole thing would be over soon.
After a half hour "recess" the board members came back into the room and took their seats, shuffled some papers and cleared their throats.
"Darrel, we are awarding you custody of Amber July Curtis on a probation status, meaning that along with your monthly visits from the state you will be prone to random check ins and phone calls. You'll be monitored along with your siblings and prone to the revocation of custody to all three siblings should the state be at all displeased with events taking place in your home. Is that understood?"
I didn't realize I was holding my breath until it was squeezed out of me by Soda who had jumped over the table, run over to me and picked me up in a bone crushing hug.
Darry was shaking hands with all of the board members and I was transferred into Pony's arms while Darry was brought into the backroom to sign papers and do some other legal junk.
The Masters looked defeated and turned their backs on us as we celebrated in the middle of the room.
I broke loose from Pony's grip and timidly approached Alice putting my hand on her shoulder softly, "I'm really sorry, I hope you know how grateful I am for everything you did for me, I just…I haven't been with my family ever really and well, you really are nice people and I didn't mean to hurt you"
Alice forced a smile, "We understand Amber, we just want you to be happy, why don't you and your brothers have dinner at our house tonight and you can get yourself packed and then go home?"
My respect grew for her ten fold then as Peter placed an arm around her thin shoulders, "We'll wait for you outside, you can come back to the house with us now and your brothers can come over in about an hour, that should be enough time for everyone to do what has to be done"
I nodded and smiled at them as they left the room and the door swung shut behind them.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Darry standing tall and strong over me.
"They're good people" He said "You could have been happy with them"
"If I didn't have you guys, maybe" I said and buried my face in his chest
He picked me up in a hug that I will always remember, strong and protective, it was a hug that I could return to whenever I needed comfort and protection from the world.