Chapter Seventeen: A Judge Visits the Diner

Debbie had rushed back to the diner to make sure everything was ready for when everyone arrived from the funeral. The cook has prepared all kinds of sandwiches cut into triangles, many different salads, chips & assorted dips, vegetable trays and bowls of punch. Debbie puts out more napkins, plates and silverware.

About 15 minutes after Debbie gets here people start showing up. Brian, Justin and Gus walk in first with Jennifer. Michael, Ben, Emmett and Ted come through the door a few minutes later. Within minutes the diner is full of Melanie and Lindsay's family, friends, and former co-workers. People are mingling and sharing stories about their beloved friends. The boys are sitting in their usual booth when a Hispanic woman in her early forties walks over to the table and looks at Brian.

"Hi, I'm Cristina. You probably don't remember me; we were both at a couple of parties thrown by Melanie and Lindsay. I was wondering if I could talk to you in private for a minute; it's regarding your custody situation?"

Brian wasn't aware that anyone, other than Michael, Ben, Justin, and of course Larry, knew about what was going on, so he was curious to hear what this woman had to say. "We can go out back and talk if you like. Just give me a minute."

Brian looks fpor Jennifer and asks her to watch Gus for a little while. "Justin lets go."

"I don't think she wants to talk to me. You go ahead."

"I thought you said we were a team now. Gus is your son too, so get your ass up so we can find out what this woman has to say."

"Yes sir Mr. Kinney, right away."

They find Cristina and head out back into the alley.

"What I'm about to discuss with you is very sensitive and could get me disbarred, so I need to trust that you will keep this to yourselves. Can I count on that?"

"If this is about my son, I will do whatever I have to in order to keep him safe; Justin will to."

"I used to work with Melanie. About six months ago I was given an appointment as a judge in family court. I saw your name appear on my docket for this coming week. Then a funny thing happened; I saw your name appear again for an earlier appearance. I had my clerk look into it, and it take me long to figure out what you were up to."

"I don't know what you are talking about. I'm not trying anything."

"Hey don't worry, I'm not here to get you in any trouble. I wanted to talk to you about a conversation I had with Melanie last year."

"Why, does it involve Gus?"

"It does. I was one of the lawyers that helped Melanie write her and Lindsay's will, so I heard firsthand what her wishes were."

"Okay, I'm listening." He grabs Justin's hand for support.

"Melanie told me on more than one occasion what an asshole you were and how she couldn't stand to be in the same room with you most of the time."

"I thought you were going to give me some new information, not prattle on about things I'm very well aware of."

Justin squeezes his hand tight and says, "Brian can you display a modicome of courtesy please. I think she's trying to help us."

"Thank you Justin. Melanie always held you in high regard. Brian you have proven to me why Melanie felt the way she did, but I'll let it go since I know you are grieving. When we were discussing who they wanted to have custody of Gus Melanie didn't flinch. I could tell that even Lindsay was a little shocked at what she said."

"What did she say?"

"I'll tell you word for word as best as I remember it. Melanie said, 'Custody should go to Brian and Justin. I know that one day soon Brian is going to realize that what he has with Justin can't be dismissed, and I actually think they have a real shot at settling down. I can't stand Brian when Justin isn't around. I wish he wasn't Gus' father, but he is and no matter how much of an asshole he is and how I try to refute it, I know he loves Gus more than anyone else in this world. If anything ever happens to us I know he'll do right by Gus; maybe even give up his hard core lifestyle so Gus could have a normal family. Lindsay if you ever tell him I said any of this, I'll divorce you in a heartbeat. I know that with Justin's help Gus would be fine. I sure as hell don't want your parents anywhere near him, especially after how they treated you when we were separated. Brian will never hear me say it but he is a good father for the amount of time we let him have with Gus.' She made me promise to help in anyway I could if something ever happened to the both of them. I don't think she was too serious, because who would ever think that they would both pass away at the same time."

"Not us that's for sure. This has been one Hell of a week."

"I wanted you to know that I plan on keeping my promise to Melanie. If it wasn't for her I never would have tried to become a judge. She really gave me encouragement when I needed it. She was a great friend."

"How can you help us? Larry's handling everything as best as he can. Lindsay's parents are the problem. Can you make them disappear?"

"No but I think maybe you forgot that I am the judge assigned to both of your cases. On Monday, I can make sure that the adoption goes through without a hitch. Wednesday will be a little tricky. We'll have to pretend that Monday didn't happen. I precide over sometimes 30 to 40 cases a day, so it wouldn't be unheard of for me to not remember someone who was in my court a couple of days before. The only problem would be if the Peterson's lawyer got wind of it, so we have to proceed very carefully. I will listen to both sides very carefully and find some reason to make sure you keep custody of Gus. Larry knows me though so when he realizes that I'm the judge on both cases, he might try to do the right thing and bring it to my attention."

"The Hell he will. I'll go talk to him right now and make him understand what needs to be done to protect my... I mean our son."

"Okay, I mean technically you're not doing anything illegal. It could be deemed unethical, which is why I have to be careful."

"Don't worry, we won't breath a word of this to anyone. As far as I'm concerned this conversation never happened. Don't you agree Justin?"

"What conversation are you talking about?"

"Exactly, see it won't be a problem."

"I'll see you on Monday and again, I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thanks."

Back inside the diner people have started to filter out. Debbie is cleaning up and the boys are all helping. Meanwhile Jennifer is sitting in the back corner booth helping Gus draw a picture.

"Thanks for watching Gus Mom."

"It was no trouble. I love spending time with Gus. You can call me anytime you need help. I hope you both know that."

"We do but it's nice to hear it again. We're going to head home now. We'll call you after the adoption hearing on Monday."

"You won't have to call me, because I plan on being there. You might need a character witness."

"You don't have to do that Mom."

"I know, but I want to be there for all of you."

Justin gives his mom a big hug, and Brian leans over and gives her a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey Gus, it's time to go home. Grab your crayons and paper okay."

"Okay Daddy [Justin]."

They say their goodbyes and thank yous to everybody before they head out to the car, to go home.

As they reach the car, Justin remembers something. "Brian didn't you say before I went to Canada that you set up an appointment with that school, the one you thought might be right for Gus? When is the appointment, because we already have so much going on that day?"

"No worries, the appointment isn't until 3:45. Todd said the name change shouldn't take more than about 15 minutes, so we should have plenty of time to get there early."

"That's good; I'll be happy when all of this is over. I just hope the Peterson's don't fight dirty."

"I think everything will be okay, especially since we kind of have a judge in our pocket. Let's not think about it anymore tonight. We'll have a nice Sunday and then worry about stuff on Monday."

"Yes Dear; lets take our son home and go to bed."

Next up is Chapter 18: Day One at the Courthouse