Bad Behavior Chapter 14
Serving Time
It had been a torturous two days. Ryan had expected Sandy to come by to discuss his case, or cases, with him and he didn't. His absence left Ryan wondering what was going on and if the Cohen's were having second thoughts about assuming full custody of him. Maybe they already knew what was coming and just couldn't face him. With nothing but time on his hands, his mind ran rampant with every possible scenario.
"Time to see the judge Atwood, let's go."
The guard put cuffs on Ryan's hands and led him to the courtroom. Pausing in the hallway, they awaited access to the court. The guard noticed Ryan breathing heavy and looking pale.
"You okay kid?"
"Yeah," Ryan whispered, not convincingly. "I just want this over with."
Walking to his assigned seat, Ryan was partially relieved to see Sandy already at the table, busying himself by flipping through files and papers.
"Ryan…hey…how are you doing?"
"Not so good," he admitted honestly.
Sandy stopped what he was doing and walked over to Ryan and put his hand on his shoulder. "It's going to be okay, I promise. We've got some options and we'll just be open and honest with the judge and take it one step at a time."
"I really screwed up this time though," he stated sadly. "I'm scared this time Sandy. I don't want to stay here anymore."
That comment was as bare bones as Ryan ever got. Sandy looked sympathetically at him. Embracing Ryan, Sandy held him hard.
"I wish I could make this easier for you kid, I know this is hard. You don't have to be afraid. Just remember that you're not alone this time. We're gonna back you every step of the way…and that's a promise."
"When I didn't hear from you…I thought…maybe…"
Sandy pulled back from Ryan so he could look him right in the face. "There is nothing you can do to get away from us now. It's too late, we're nuts about you," Sandy encouraged, pointing into the seats where Kirsten and Seth were sitting, smiling and waving at him.
Ryan gasped a nervous laugh of true relief and nodded at Sandy. He got it now. All of the worrying he did was unfounded. They really were in this till the end no matter what.
Taking his seat next to Sandy, Ryan watched Blaine and his Mother enter the courtroom. Blaine's face was still badly bruised but something about him was different. Ryan couldn't put his finger on it. Blaine's Mother on the other hand was as hard and callous as ever, glaring at Ryan every chance she got.
When the judge entered Ryan thought for sure his heart would jump out of his chest. As much as he dreaded these proceedings, he was anxious to get them over with and put them behind him. Today would be the first day toward getting out of Juvie, no matter what the judge assigned.
"All rise," the Bailiff announced. "The Honorable Judge Maria Whitney presiding."
"We're here today to hear the case of Templeton vs. Atwood. The charges against Atwood are Aggravated Battery and Probation Violation," the judge explained.
The attorney for Blaine's family held the court's attention first. They recounted the incident in question and spared no flamboyant detail when it came to inflating Ryan's violent side. Ryan knew Sandy was a good attorney and he hoped Sandy would be just as ruthless when it was his turn.
When the judge called Sandy to begin his statement, Ryan felt himself go queasy with nerves. Little did he know Sandy was about to deliver a statement that would open the eyes of the court, as well as certain audience members.
"Good afternoon Your Honor. While we are here today over a rather unfortunate incident, there are some details that I feel are extremely pertinent to this case and are worth the court's time."
"Very well Mr. Cohen, continue."
"I am not here to deny the fact that my client did engage in a fist fight with the Plaintiff. Mr. Atwood is entirely aware of his actions and he's demonstrated remorse ever since. What the court, as well at the Templeton family may not be aware of, is why Mr. Atwood lashed out the way he did."
The judge watched Sandy with furled brows, not impressed just yet.
"Mr. Atwood comes from a very challenging background. He came from a physically and mentally abusive home. We're talking about the type of home where his own Mother would encourage him to steal alcohol and cigarettes for her, and yet she would beat him if he didn't do it. We're talking about beatings that involved any means available including belts and bottles and fists. A home where it was his job to care for his religiously inebriated mother, a self-admitted alcoholic. I use the term 'care' loosely. No sixteen year old should have the responsibility of calling his Mother's place of employment to lie on her behalf because she was too hung over to make it into work again. Nor should he have been in a position to be cleaning up vomit on a regular basis for a parent who should be taking care of him instead of partying. We're talking about a home where he had to steal food on many occasions in order to have a meal, or break into a parked car so he'd have somewhere safe to sleep on certain nights. We're even talking about a Mother who refuses to relinquish custody of him to his foster family, for no other reason than to keep him from having a better life than she has. I bring up his custody case momentarily because it has bearing on this case. I'm not only Mr. Atwood's attorney, my family is also his foster family. When Ryan first came to us, he was every bit what his file depicts. He was intolerant, impatient, unpredictable…and unreachable. It took time but my family and I got through to him, not with fists or threats or harsh words, but with patience, persistence and love. Love in itself being something we had to teach this kid. He had no idea what being loved meant. We are in this courtroom today because the Plaintiff has made it his personal quest to throw all of these things back in Ryan's face. Everything Ryan wants to forget, Mr. Templeton has taken it upon himself to remind him, every chance he gets. I would consider that harassment. It has taken my family and I months to help Ryan get a handle on his life and as his foster parent, not his attorney, I can tell you he has turned into a rather impressive young man, with the exception of Blaine's provoking. I cannot stress to the court enough that Mr. Atwood knows this was a mistake and he regrets his actions. I also cannot stress enough to the court that it's possible that a lengthy incarceration would set back his progress on the right track. I request that the court take into consideration, his background as well as his progress. I have reports here from teachers as well as letters from members of the community…even a note from the hospital where Ryan volunteered in the Nursery. This is one child we have to stand behind. Despite the reason we are here today, this kid has worked so hard to turn his life around, against all odds. It would be unjust to throw away or ignore the progress he has made because another boy wouldn't leave him alone. This is one child that not only deserves a second chance, but a child that wants to embrace that second chance. Thank you."
Filled with anxiety, Ryan watched as the judge scribbled notes onto his file. While he was pleased with Sandy's speech, he had no idea what the judge was thinking. The corner of his vision caught Blaine shifting nervously in his seat. He'd obviously never been in a courtroom before.
"Mr. Atwood, please stand and come forward," the judge requested.
With his mouth as dry as cotton, Ryan did as he was told, looking back at Sandy once for encouragement.
"Mr. Atwood," the judge sighed. "Your file is rather thick. Your attorney, and foster father, has explained to me about your background and why you are the way you are, if you will. Tell me why I should believe him."
"Excuse me?"
"Mr. Atwood, you've been in and out of Juvie several times and yet it seems you still have a lesson to learn. You're not getting it. Tell me something I don't already know."
Licking his lips, "Juvie doesn't work on a kid like me. That's the problem."
"And why is that Mr. Atwood?"
"Because most of Juvie is about scaring a kid straight. When you've lived a life like mine, it's just another person yelling at you, another person trying to scare you. It's nothing different than I've already been experiencing. The Cohen's, they don't treat me like that. They've never raised a hand to me. I had a lot of changes to make when I went to live with them and…they get me. They know how to get through to me without yelling or hitting me. I actually want to do the right thing when I'm around them. I never cared before they came along."
"I see. Tell me, what upsets you the most right now? What is the one thing you wish you could change? I want you to be honest with me."
"I miss being with them. Technically they're my foster family but they're the closest thing I've ever had to a normal family."
The judge studied Ryan carefully and he squirmed under her stare.
"Mr. Atwood, you file is full of crime and violence and pure disregard for authority. I'm not sure I can believe anything you say."
Ryan's heart lurched. "With all due respect Ma'am, everything that's in that file took place when I lived in Chino. I've been in Newport since July and this is the first time I've been arrested."
"You mean this is the first time you've been caught?"
"No…look, I'm sixteen and I'm no where near perfect but I'm trying. I'm not the same kid I was in those files."
Tapping her pen against his file, the judge shook her head. "At this time, I think it's best for you to stay in the custody of Chino's Juvenile Correction Center."
"Please…" Ryan interrupted, starting to panic.
"I see a destructive pattern here and with what you've done to this boy I can't…"
"Your Honor, may I speak please?"
"BLAINE! What are you doing? Sit down! She's going to send that hood to jail! Let her finish!" his Mother blurted out.
"That's just it, this is a mistake. Please, may I say something?"
"Son, I am about to rule in your favor there is really no need for…"
"I know but I can't let you do this. Don't lock him up. It's not his fault."
Perplexed the judge settled back into her chair, "I must warn you, any statement you make can have an effect on the outcome of your case. Proceed at your own peril, Mr. Templeton."
Blaine stepped forward and stood next to Ryan in front of the judge. Ryan felt lost. He couldn't even begin to imagine what Blaine had up his sleeve.
"Ryan and I have had some scuffles since he came to Newport but what the court doesn't know…is that I provoked every single one of them."
"BLAINE! SHUT UP!" his Mother yelled furiously from her seat.
"One more outburst like that Mrs. Templeton and I'll have you removed from my courtroom and held in contempt!" the judge warned. "Continue please."
"Anything…I'd knock his books out of his hand at school, I'd get in his face. The night of the fight, I basically called him an orphan and that he'd be homeless in another week because I knew about the brewing custody battle with his foster parents and his real Mom. I knew it would get to him so I just kept pressing on that nerve and he eventually went off." Blaine paused a moment and looked at Ryan. "He's never raised a hand to me or gotten in my face unless I did something to him first. He hasn't done anything wrong since he came here. He's never bothered anyone. This case is portraying him as violent and yet the only reason he got that way, is because I made him that way."
"Why are you doing this?" Ryan asked turning to Blaine more confused that ever. "You hate me."
"I don't want this on my conscience. I wanted to bug you, get you in trouble and stuff. I never meant for this to go so far you'd go to jail."
"Too late."
"Is his statement true Mr. Atwood?" the judge inquired, glaring at Ryan over her glasses.
"Yes Ma'am."
Sighing heavily, "You've put me in quite a predicament here Mr. Templeton." The judge stared at the boys before her, contemplating the appropriate actions. "Here's what we're going to do. Mr. Atwood, you will finish out this week at the Chino Juvenile Correction Center where you started serving time, that's three more days there. At the end of this week, I will give you a twenty-four hour pass at home with your foster family. Don't even think about disappearing during your time at home, or I will make sure that decision will come back to haunt you. When your pass is over, you will report to The Ranch where you will serve two full weeks. The Ranch is where you're going to prove to me that you are the changed person that everyone claims you have become. Make no mistakes though, Mr. Atwood. Should you have any problems at The Ranch, or try to escape to avoid serving your time there, you will be brought back here to the Chino Juvenile Center where you will serve a minimum of nine months with no time off for good behavior. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Ma'am," Ryan replied, unsure of exactly what he just agreed to. Looking over his shoulder at Sandy, Ryan caught him nodding happily and mouthing 'good-good' to Ryan. Apparently Sandy thought this was great news.
"As for you, Mr. Templeton," the judge began. "Your actions were cruel and deplorable and, in my opinion, require reprimanding. The court is going to assign you one hundred hours of community service to be completed during the same length of time Mr. Atwood is at The Ranch. Basically this means all of your free time belongs to me for the next two weeks. You will be given a schedule of tasks within the community, which you will follow to the letter and without exception. Failure to complete your sentence will land you two weeks in the Chino Juvenile Correction Center, which I'm sure Mr. Atwood will tell you is no joke. Hopefully you will learn a lesson about toying with someone else's life and you'll think twice before acting this way again. And, by the bruising on your face, I would have to hope that you got the message that Mr. Atwood can indeed pack a wallop and this will be the last confrontation between you two."
"Yes Ma'am."
"Good. This case will reconvene in exactly two weeks and four days to consider the progress made by both parties. Mr. Cohen, I will postpone the hearing for Ryan's custody case until exactly one week after he returns from The Ranch. Please make a note of it. I expect you boys to make me proud. Do not disappoint me. Court is adjourned."
Ryan stood still, respectfully, as the judge left the chamber. The minute she passed through the door, Blaine's Mother went into the rant of a lifetime. Blaine couldn't get a word in edgewise. Ryan still wasn't sure why he came forward in the first place, but his testimony seemed to be the only thing that saved him from Juvie.
Walking back to the table, Ryan noticed a big grin on Sandy's face.
"Oh kid, you were great! You answered everything with honesty and sincerity. True, Blaine's statement is what turned the judge, but the important thing is, she lightened your sentence."
"Yeah but what the hell is The Ranch? I've never even heard of it. I mean how do you know I'll be okay there?"
"You're gonna love it there. It's nothing like Juvie. It's a place where kids like you, kids who want to change their lives, put in their time. Now, the hard part is the fact that we aren't allowed to visit you there. You're gonna have to go through two weeks without us. That's going to drive us nuts, but you're allowed to write to us and we can write to you. I know the unknown is probably scaring you right now, but you're gonna have to trust me on this one. We did really good kid. I couldn't have begged for a better sentence myself. All you have to do is hang tough for three more days and then you get some time with us at home. The two weeks at The Ranch will go fast. You'll see. This is great news kid. Be happy!"
Sandy patted Ryan's shoulder at that last statement and for the first time, Ryan let himself relax. Looking into the seats of the courtroom, Ryan got an excited double thumbs up from Kirsten and Seth kept saying 'two and a half weeks man! I told you so!' The scene made Ryan smile. Maybe there was hope for him yet.
"Hey Ryan."
Ryan turned to the voice and found Blaine standing behind him.
"This is weird, I know, but…look, I had no idea about…I can't imagine how hard your life was."
"Yeah well, now you know. You didn't exactly get off scot-free. One hundred hours of community service is no cake-walk," Ryan explained, looking over Blaine's shoulder at his still screaming Mom. "You may want to ask the judge for two hundred hours just so you can avoid being home after what you pulled off in here today."
Laughing uncomfortably, "She'll get over it. Good luck at The Ranch, and…I'm sorry," Blaine stated honestly, extending a handshake to Ryan. "The judge was right…you can fight man and I don't think I want to be on the receiving end of your fists anymore."
Smiling, "Now that I'll shake to. I tried to warn you. It's unfortunate I had to pummel you so many times before you could admit that."
"I hate to bust up this beautiful moment guys, but Ryan has to get back," Sandy interrupted.
The boys gave each other an awkward nod before parting and Kirsten and Seth quickly ran up to the railing to give Ryan a quick hug before he left.
"Dude, three more days and you get to come home!" Seth gushed.
"Don't get so excited Seth, it's only for twenty-four hours."
"We'll be counting the hours honey," Kirsten promised, releasing Ryan. "I'm so proud of you Ryan. You handled yourself like a gentlemen in front of the judge. This is where your life takes another upswing Ryan. Things are only going to get better from here on out. You wait and see. Any special requests for your day off?"
"Um, yeah, something Italian…and chocolate cake," he smirked.
"You got it! We'll see you real soon."
The guard collected Ryan and walked him to the doorway where he secured his handcuffs. The Cohens could visibly see the relief on Ryan's face. He had hope again and that in itself was a huge leap in the right direction. Walking a little taller than he did when he arrived at court, Ryan went back to Juvie. Three days, just three more days there. He could do this.
It was after two-thirty when Ryan finally reached his cell. The guard from the court put him on lock down and he sat on his bunk, preoccupied with the day's events. For once the tide rolled his way. No matter what, he was going to make it his goal to stay away from trouble for the next two and a half weeks. He wanted to get his new life back and right now freedom was so close he could almost reach out and grab it.
"Atwood…"
Ryan looked up at his least favorite guard. Rising off his bunk he crossed his cell to the gate. "Yes Sir," he answered quietly.
"They sent you to The Ranch didn't they?" the guard asked without looking up.
"Yeah but…how do you know that?"
The guard slowly raised his head and smirked at Ryan.
"You said something to the judge didn't you?"
"Hey boy, Judge Whitney does whatever she wants. She's one of the toughest around. I made a suggestion about the course of discipline that might best suit you but something must have happened in court today for her to go along with it."
Ryan's mind wandered to Blaine's confession. Two people on the face of the earth that he would have never expected help from brought him 'that' much closer to freedom. He stared at the wall at that realization.
"You hungry kid?" The guard reached into his bag and removed a packaged ham sandwich and a carton of milk from the mess hall. Ryan instinctively backed away from the gate.
"No that's okay. I know there's no food allowed in the cells. I don't want to screw up any more than I have. It's okay. I'll wait until dinner. No disrespect meant."
Looking up and down the hallway, the guard held his offerings through the bars to Ryan. "You make me proud at The Ranch, prove to me I made the right decision about you, and we'll call it even."
Ryan stepped forward skeptically and took the items from the guard, watching him closely the entire time.
"I'm off duty in about fifteen minutes so make that disappear quickly. I'll be back in a few minutes to get the trash."
Nodding as the guard walked away, Ryan feverishly tore into the sandwich. He wasn't necessarily starving. He was more worried about getting caught with food in his cell, which was a major infraction.
It didn't take long and guard returned and collected his trash like he said he would.
"See you tomorrow kid."
"Hey Anderson," Ryan called and then hesitated. "Thanks."
"Do it right this time on the outside because you know I'll still be here if you have to come back."
"I'm not coming back."
Tipping his hat to Ryan, "I hope you're right kid."
That night Ryan slept hard. He hit his bunk on time and fell out shortly after. When the lights came alive and the buzzer sounded the next morning Ryan was ready to face the day. The clock was ticking and he was counting every second. Time couldn't pass fast enough. He knew the Cohens would make a big production of his one day at home and this time he planned on welcoming every bit of it.
(TBC)…
A/N: Good Lord! I think y'all set a new record with the reviews on the previous chapter! LOL! I have never received that many in a single day for any chapter or story! If you notice a glow…it's because I'm beaming! LOL! THANK YOU: D
This chapter made me nervous because courtroom scenes are just not my thing! Hopefully I kept it vague enough and faked it well enough that it all makes sense in the end! LOL: D
