"We are here about the situation regarding one... Kaitlin Brenner, age 13, who has been in the foster care system since..."
"Since she was two, your honor." The girl's lawyer stood and spoke to Amy. "The Brenners have been parents to Kaitlin in every sense of the word since her mother died."
"And what about her father?"
"Her father left before she was born and never surfaced again after the fact. His signature is not on the birth certificate, and no one seems to know who he is. He is not a part of this equation."
"Well, I believe I'll decide that, but for now, let's just concentrate on the matter at hand, shall we?" Amy said, motioning for the lawyer to sit down. The state's representative stood then and made HIS thoughts clear on the matter.
"Your honor, I believe Miss Freeman has made it clear that Kaitlin is one of those many unfortunate children that have no parents and is trying to evoke your sympathy, but..."
"Kaitlin has parents!" Mr. Brenner said loudly from behind his foster child's table. "Becca and I have been her parents—"
"Your honor, that has nothing to do—"
"OK!" Amy silenced them all with one word. "That is enough. Now. Mr..."
"Harold Leigh, your honor."
"Mr. Leigh. You see these robes I'm wearing? See how they're kind of frayed at the sleeves here, and they maybe look a bit wrinkled? That's because I've been doing this for a while, even if you have not." The lawyer bristled at the implication, but remained silent. "You will therefore keep your comments to the facts relative to this specific case, BOTH of you, am I understood?"
The lawyers nodded their assent.
"Ok, then. Kaitlin." The girl looked up. "You're thirteen? That puts you in what? The eighth grade?"
Kaitlin looked at Miss Freeman, and the woman nodded for her to stand and answer. "Yes, your honor."
"Well, I see here that you're a very good student. Straight A's, you're a member of your school's basketball team, your teachers have given you good conduct marks in class..." Amy closed the file and folded her hands. "What are you doing in my courtroom?" Kaitlin shrugged her shoulders, not looking up from the table. "Kaitlin..." Finally the girl looked up at Bruce, but her gaze never strayed from whatever was directly in front of her.
"I don't know," she answered softly. "Can I sit down now?"
Amy looked at Bruce, who lifted his shoulder just the slightest bit, indicating his own confusion.
"Um, yeah, sure, go ahead." Amy tapped her fingers together slowly, and then addressed Mr. Leigh again. "All right, let's hear it. What did she do?" Miss Freeman began to protest, but Amy waved her down. "No, Miss Freeman, she had her chance. We'll hear it from Mr. Leigh, and then I'll decide if I will hear anything else."
"Thank you, your honor." Amy raised an eyebrow, but his tone was void of any sarcasm. "Kaitlin Brenner has, as you say, been a model student, et cetera, but what WE are concerned with is the recent trend her actions have been taking, especially over the past few months. It began with small things, minor cases of shoplifting, an occasional streak of skipping school... she's appeared before a few juvenile court judges already, and was always released because her offenses were not severe enough to warrant anything more than perhaps disciplinary action from her parents or community service or fines. However, a week ago, Hartford PD got an anonymous call that there was an intruder on the grounds of Kaitlin's school, and when they pulled up she was in the middle of throwing a brick at one of the classroom windows."
"Your honor, this is absurd!" Miss Freeman stood up at this. "Mr. Leigh is giving you everything about the story that serves HIS interests, but Kaitlin deserves to have her side of the story told before you hear any more!"
"All right, all right, all right." Amy sighed, and looked at Kaitlin, who was still staring straight ahead. "Um, I guess—I do want to hear more about this, so Mr. Van Exel, when can we do that?"
"Wednesday at ten o'clock."
"Wednesday at ten o'clock. I'll see everyone back here then." Amy leaned back in her chair as her courtroom emptied before her. Mr. Leigh picked up a very small folder that was his only paperwork for this case, took his briefcase, and walked out, already on his cell phone with someone from his office. Miss Freeman was speaking to Mr. and Mrs. Brenner while Kaitlin stood silent, staring at the door through which Mr. Leigh had just exited. Bruce was standing over Amy's shoulder. "What's next?"
NOTE: I know these chapters are pretty short, but I'm just uploading as I go, so... sorry about that, hope it's not bothering anyone too much. : )