A/N:
I promised I would upload this second part of chapter 20 shortly after the first part, so here it is. Enjoy!
August 2, 2000
"You look stunning," Katherine commended the young man – teenager, she corrected herself – standing in front of her. It was easy to mistake the fourteen year-old blonde for an adult despite his lanky and less than average height. The crispy white dress shirt and the dark blue slacks he was wearing right now made him look a lot older than he appeared when wearing t-shirts, board shorts and flip-flops. The fact that Katherine had insisted he cut his hair before the hearing also helped a lot.
Eric shook his head in embarrassment. He had to admit that she was right in her assessment. The look suited him, but it made him feel uncomfortable and he wished nothing more than to change back into his usual attire. "Do I really have to wear this, Kathy?" he asked, the whiny undertone not lost on the older woman. She chuckled lightly, remembering their trip to the mall to pick an outfit for the court with delight. The teenager might handle most things with an admirable maturity, but when it came to fashion he was a child through and through.
"Trust me, Eric. You want to look your best when you step in front of the Judge. It's not everything but it might work in your favor," she assured him and adjusted the collar of his shirt. "You don't want poor appearance to work against you, do you?" Katherine cautioned with a pointed look over the rim of her glasses.
Eric squirmed and grimaced. "I suppose not," he murmured reluctantly, then admitted, "This is the only chance I got. I don't want to blow it." He lowered his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Kathy, what am I going to do if things don't work out the way I want them to?"
Katherine raised her eyebrows at him and stopped in her movements. Scrutinizing him with narrowed eyes she took in the tense shoulders, squared jaw and the general nervousness emanating from him. Sighing she put one hand on either side of his neck. "Now you shouldn't go worrying about that right now, Eric. There's plenty of time to consider what to do in that case later, should the circumstances call for it. But I'm certain that won't be necessary. I'm certain that the Judge will grant your emancipation request and so should you," she scolded and tipped his chin.
Eric took a deep breath, held it and then released it shakily. It helped a little in calming him down, but his doubts still wouldn't leave him completely. "Okay. I'm trying to. It's not easy, though."
Kathy smiled reassuringly at him. "I know it's not. It's perfectly understandable that you would feel nervous about this. But I know you can do it. I believe in you, Eric."
The teenager blushed. "Thanks. For everything, for being here and supporting me. It means a lot to me." He shifted from one foot to the other and wiped his sweaty hands on his pants.
"You did it all by yourself, I merely guided you through the last couple of steps. I'm very proud of you." The blush deepened and sensing his discomfort Kathy averted her gaze and glanced at her watch. "We should get going. There's a lot of security passages to go through in the Court. Better to be safe than sorry. You ready, Eric?"
The youth closed his eyes and exhaled audibly. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Sitting on the edge of an uncomfortable wooden chair Eric bounced his legs nervously. His eyes roamed around and took in every detail of the court room. It looked like any other that he had seen on television, but there was a difference between watching a hearing on-screen and experiencing one first hand. His hands were sweating and he resisted the urge to run them through his immaculately combed hair. Katherine had made a remarkable job at making him look presentable and he didn't want her efforts to be in vain.
"All rise for the honorable Judge Michael Dumont," a voice from somewhere up front shook him out of his thoughts and he complied. A door opened and Eric willed himself to stand ramrod still. He looked up and saw the Judge clad in a black robe and with a confident stride. The blonde assumed he must have been in his late forties or early fifties, but he couldn't be sure and frankly, he really didn't care as long as the man would decide in his favor. He watched as the man sat down behind the Judge's table and shuffled through the papers from the file in front of him.
The Judge cleared his throat. "You may be seated." Everyone in the room did as they were told. "On April 16, 2000 a petition for emancipation was filed by the minor Mr. Eric Bartholomew Beale III, born on September 18, 1985 in Los Angeles. I received all the necessary forms including the attached exhibits on time. Despite the detailed and thoroughly compiled evidence there are some unresolved issues that need clarification, which is why I called upon this hearing and summoned character witnesses to fill in the blanks. I will ask each of them to come forward in due time. Let's begin with the subject of today's congregation. Mr. Beale, please rise and come forward to the podium."
Eric swallowed the lump in his throat and took a deep breath before rising from his chair and walking the few steps to the podium. "Your Honor," he greeted respectfully and forced himself to meet the man's eyes. Katherine had advised him to do it in order to prove his confidence and determination in the matter.
The Judge held his eyes unwavering and nodded ever so slightly. "Mr. Beale," he addressed, "would you please enlighten everyone present as to why you wish to be emancipated?"
Eric wet his lips and nodded again. "Yes, Your Honor." He breathed in and exhaled once more, telling himself he could do this. Katherine had gone through it with him many times over the past weeks. All he needed to do now was recite what she had told him.
"I decided that I wanted to be emancipated because of the complicated family situation that I'm currently in. I'm living with my mother and my younger sister. My mother suffers from Alzheimer's disease and her health has gotten progressively worse over the last year. She is unable to take care of herself at this point, much less take care of my sister and myself. She fails to make important decisions regarding my education, which was why I decided I needed to take this step and ask to be emancipated, so that I can be accelerated and get the education that is in my best interest." Thankful that his voice came across calm and collected despite his jittery nerves he squared his shoulders and felt his facial muscles relax a little.
"Thank you, Mr. Beale," the Judge said. "I believe you are familiar with the requirements to be emancipation and therefore most likely know that independent living is one of the necessary steps to be taken before emancipation can be granted." Eric nodded. Here it comes, he thought. "You stated that you still live in the same household as your mother. Are you planning on moving out?"
The teenager shook his head. "No, Your Honor. I have no intention of doing that. I already mentioned that my mother has Alzheimer's. She is in no condition to live on her own any longer and she can't provide my sister with her needs either. I already put in a request to become a legal guardian for both my mother and my sister should I be emancipated. I know the solution is not ideal, but if I moved out of the house at this point, it would have negative repercussions on her health and I want to prevent that with any means possible," he explained, careful to keep it matter-of-factly and to not let his emotions get in the way.
"I see." The Judge averted his eyes and shuffled through the papers in front of him. "You obviously did extensive research on the topic and planned ahead for the future. However, there is another topic that needs discussion. While most of your mother's medical expenses are covered by her disability pension you still need to prove that you are able to take care of yourself financially. It says in your paperwork that you are working two jobs at the moment. You're on summer break as of right now, but the new school year is about to start in a few weeks. How do you envision managing both your jobs and school?"
"I won't be able to keep both jobs, but the university offered me an internship. Aside from that I have applied for scholarships," he explained, his voice sounding more and more confident and the nervousness slowly abating.
"Who is going to take care of your mother when you are at work or at school?" the Judge inquired.
"She's not yet reached a point where she needs to be supervised around the clock, but I have already contacted a daycare service and once my mother needs to be taken care of all through the day I will have a daycare nurse assist her.
"Alright, Mr. Beale. As for right now I have no further questions for you. You may return to your seat," Dumont dismissed him and shuffled through the papers again.
"Thank you, Your Honor," Eric answered politely and returned to his chair. Relief washed over him. The worst part was over and some of the weight lifted from his shoulders. He was still tense, nothing was decided yet, but at least he had managed to hold his own during the interrogation.
"Next character witness, Mrs. Katherine Baker, I ask you to the stand." The woman in question rose from her chair, directed one last encouraging glance at the blonde teenager and walked to stand at the podium. "Mrs. Baker, please explain your relation to the client."
The stout woman stood at attention, cleared her throat and spoke with practiced ease. "I am a friend of the family, a former colleague of Mrs. Beale. I have known Eric from birth and helped the Beale family through previous rough patches, including the beginning stages of Mrs. Beale's illness. I helped Eric adjust to the changes and challenges of living with someone who suffers from Alzheimer's a few years back."
"Are you still providing support to the family?" the Judge asked.
"I'm lending support to Eric whenever I can, but I am currently living in San Diego and therefore haven't been able to help the family as much as I did when Alzheimer's was first diagnosed in Mrs. Beale. Because of the irregular hours I'm working, taking on legal guardianship for the family is out of the question," she forestalled what she knew the Judge was working towards with his interrogation.
"I understand, Mrs. Baker. But I assume you have insight in the family life and how the situation affects them," he inquired.
"I have, Your Honor," she confirmed with a single nod.
"What would you say, is emancipation in the best interest of Mr. Beale? Do you support his decision? If so: elaborate." Judge Dumont urged.
"I am most supportive of Erics' decision and yes, I think it's in his and the family's best interest that he takes this step. I have known Eric to be a very responsible child over the course of the years. He has always shown interest, determination and empathy regarding his mother's disease and he has only grown from there. I have been helping the Beale's with adjustments in the past month and I can only say that Eric is doing a remarkable job with taking care of both his mother and his sister. In my opinion if anyone his age is ready to be emancipated, it is him."
"Thank you, Mrs. Baker. No further questions. Please take a seat." She did as she was told, returned to her seat next to Eric, who smiled appreciatively in her direction. She mirrored his smile and covered his hand with her own in support. "As Mr. Beale's school was made aware of the family situation they informed Child Protective Services of the difficulties. Character witness Mr. Elliot Lynch, please step up to the podium."
The man in question, a tall and muscular man in his thirties with dark brown curly hair and a round clean shaven face stepped forward. Eric watched with trepidation as the social worker that had visited their household a few times over in the past couple months moved to the podium. "Your Honor," he acknowledged with the accompanying nod of his head.
"Mr. Lynch. You have been assigned the case and conducted a meeting with the Beale family. How would you describe the situation on site?" The Judge asked.
"There were four meetings in total. Every family member was present for the scheduled appointment, which already proved that the Beale's take this matter with the necessary earnestness. I visited them again on three unscheduled occasions afterwards and was always met with respect and order. Not once did I feel like I was intruding or unwelcome," Lynch opened his commentary. "From an outside view I couldn't find any outstanding irregularities in the family dynamic. Family life seems regulated and harmonic with the occasional tensions that are to be expected in any household. As already brought to attention Mrs. Beale suffers from Alzheimer's and currently progresses into an advanced stage, but Eric makes sure that doctor's appointments are met and additional professional care is handy in case it is needed in the future."
The social worker skimmed through the pages of his case file and cleared his throat. "The dynamic between Eric and his mother is reversed with him taking care of her instead of the other way around due to the complications with her disease, but it seems to work just fine. He guides her through everyday life without taking away her own free will, always offering her to join in and state her opinion in discussions and leaving decisions regarding herself up to her. They have worked out a routine that gives both of them a direction and makes their life with the challenges a lot easier."
Judge Michael Dumont took the liberty to intervene. "What is your opinion on the matter of Mr. Beale staying in the household despite the emancipation regulations?"
Lynch locked eyes with the Judge. "Personally, I highly advocate that Eric stays with her. They are comfortable in their respective roles and their routine is beneficial for both of them. Tearing them apart seems unwise at this point as they both grew into their roles already and depend on it." The social worker held Judge Dumont's gaze for a while longer, waiting for permission to pick up his pleadings.
"Please continue, Mr. Lynch."
"Continuing on to the dynamic between Eric and his younger sister Emma. Their relationship is afflicted with a lot of complications. On the day of our scheduled appointment I spoke to Emma in private and she seemed very reluctant to elaborate on their relationship. Her judgment seemed to be clouded with an argument the two of them had in regards of a summer camp she wanted to go to." Eric shifted at the mention of the confrontation on that day and listened with trepidation. "She was unhappy that she wasn't given permission to attend and claimed that Eric had no right to make decisions for her and that she wasn't willing to listen to anything he said." The blonde held his breath and closed his eyes briefly and he felt Katherine's hand tighten on his in support. This was exactly what he had been afraid of.
"On the following visitations Emma seemed a lot more compliant to Eric. Her statements varied from Eric being – I quote: 'the best big brother I could hope for' end quote, to, quote: 'he's not my father, but I understand why he acts like one' end quote. She stated that Eric is both playmate and tutor to her and that she would listen to him, whenever he puts her in her place even if she doesn't always like it." Lynch skimmed another sheet of paper in his file. "Despite her latter proclamations I'm reluctant as to whether or not Mr. Beale will be able to handle taking care of her. Emma is currently ten years old and only in the beginning stages of puberty. I predict that frictions may rise in the future once she fully hits puberty."
The Judge cut in at this point. "Basically you're saying that Emma should not be left in the care of Mr. Beale?" Eric held his breath.
"That's what I'm saying, Your Honor," Lynch agreed. Eric froze and he felt the ice cold hand closing around his heart. He vaguely registered Katherine's gentle squeeze of his hand, but he couldn't bring himself to look at her. This was exactly what he had been afraid of.
"Please continue with your assessment, Mr. Lynch," the Judge encouraged.
"During the time I worked with the family I came to know Eric as an exceptionally clever young man. Both his intellect and mentality are highly advanced in comparison to other children his age. He is levelheaded and dutiful and even though he is a rather guarded person he isn't afraid to step out of his comfort zone in order to ensure the best outcome for his family. Regardless of the extent of responsibility he is about to take on Eric is determined to follow through with all the necessary steps. Instead of rushing his decision he carefully thinks his possibilities through before he takes action, attesting to the maturity with which he is handling the whole situation." Elliot Lynch paused, waiting for approval to give a conclusive statement.
Judge Michael Dumont didn't let him wait for long. "Would you say that Mr. Beale should be granted emancipation?"
"Most certainly, Your Honor. With all the mentioned above I have no doubts that Eric proves equal to the task," the social worker avowed with a single nod and waited for further questions.
At the front of the courtroom the Judge scanned through the file spread out in front of him in search of unanswered irregularities and his eyes landed on one particular demanding topic that still needed to be addressed. "One more question, Mr. Lynch. I was informed that inquiries have been made into the whereabouts of the client's father, Mr. Eric Bartholomew Beale II. Has he been located?"
Eric straightened in his chair and tensed at the mention of his father. The social worker had informed him that an investigation had been instigated into his father's whereabouts and the last time he had spoken to Elliot Lynch the man hadn't been able to tell him anything new. He hoped that nothing had come up in the meantime. The teenager stared at the back of Lynch's head, anxiously awaiting his answer. "No. We were unable to get a hold of him."
"Thank you, Mr. Lynch. No further questions," Judge Dumont dismissed the social worker and once the man in question was seated again he added, "Now that I have heard everyone's opinion pertinent to the case I call upon a short recess in order to decide. I will present you with my decision shortly." The judge closed the file. The bailiff stepped forward again asking everyone to rise and Eric complied hastily as he watched the Judge stand up as well and retreat out of the courtroom.
"You may leave the courtroom now. I will call you back in as soon as the Judge has come to his decision," the bailiff announced.
Eric rose from his chair and followed Katherine outside on wobbly legs. His hands were trembling and he was sweating profusely from stress. It wasn't helping that he felt most uncomfortable in the clothes he was wearing. The dress shirt and slacks felt constricting and they robbed him of the ability to breathe easy and relax his posture enough to calm down.
A hand touched his shoulder and the teenager looked up into Katherine's blue-green eyes. They conveyed reassurance like a calming sea and that alone helped soothe his frazzled nerves, not by much but enough to get his breathing under control. "That's right. Deep breaths, Eric," Kathy encouraged quietly. The blonde nodded and followed her instructions, taking one breath after another.
"How long until the Judge makes his decision?" Eric asked after a while.
Katherine shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. But you did well. You held your own very well and I can genuinely say that I am proud of you. No matter what the Judge decides," Katherine assured him, gently smoothing out a wrinkle on his shirt collar. Eric wasn't convinced but nodded anyway.
It didn't take long for the bailiff to call them back into the courtroom and Eric reluctantly returned to his chair, anxious to hear whether the Judge would grant or deny his emancipation. He wished it was already behind him. The not knowing, the waiting, the suspense of the whole situation was killing him and when the Judge reentered the courtroom all Eric could do was hold his breath in fearful anticipation of what was to come. He stood at attention, his body stiff and unwilling to move.
"To all present," the Judge opened. "Per curiam, I hereby declare Mr. Eric Bartholomew Beale III emancipated. Eric blew out the breath he was holding and felt close to losing his footing the moment the tension left his body. It took all his willpower to keep listening to the Judge's words. "With all the evidence presented today and the relentlessness in the client's pursuit I am content that this is the right decision." Judge Michael Dumont turned his head in Eric's direction and locked eyes with him for a brief moment. "However, it has yet to be decided on legal guardianship of both Bettina Beale and Emma Beale. Thus, another hearing will take place on the matter two weeks from today."
The Judge paused to let the words sink in before continuing on. "The decision made by the Court can be rescinded, if the Court finds Mr. Beale unable to support himself financially or otherwise at a later date." Judge Michael Dumont closed the file in front of him. "Court is adjourned," he stated and the bailiff once again stepped up to the front of the courtroom, asking them to rise.
Eric complied on auto-pilot. The Judge's sentence was still ringing in his ears and he barely even acknowledged it as the bailiff dismissed the crowd from the courtroom. He was finally emancipated, an independent youth with the same rights as an adult or almost all the rights. He could make his own decisions now and he wouldn't have to worry about any legal repercussions anymore. He had been working towards this for months and it felt good to know that it hadn't all been in vain.
An arm wrapped around him, startling him out of his thoughts. "Congratulations Eric. I never had any doubts that you would win this, but I'm so proud of you." Katherine whispered in his left ear, her own emotions evident in her tone of voice. Eric shook himself out of his still shocked state and leant into the embrace.
"Thanks, Kathy. I wouldn't have won this without your help," he argued, unsure how to take the praise. He extracted himself from the hug and looked at her, sincerity shining in his eyes.
She cupped his cheek in one hand and smiled at him. "But you did, Eric. You did all the hard work, I only chose that outfit of yours," Katherine reminded him with a mock-stern voice. "On second thought, I have to admit that was quite a challenge," she trailed off and chuckled lightheartedly as she noticed the grimace on his face.
"See? That was the hardest part of it all: wearing these," he remarked, underlining his words with a pointed glance at the slacks. Katherine's openly laughed now. "I'm serious. I'm never going to wear pants like these again."
"You will have to, though, for the second hearing," she reminded him.
Eric's own joyful demeanor wavered and he bit his bottom lip with worry. "Right. I almost forgot about that. Emancipation was the easy part. Guardianship on the other hand…"
Katherine interrupted him, "… is something you shouldn't worry about at the moment. Right now, you just enjoy the success of winning this, you hear me?" Eric nodded reluctantly. Kathy was right. This was a success, a huge victory for him and he should savor it while he still could. There would be plenty of time to agonize about the rest later.
- S.