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"I don't understand." Jack protested, as Scott emptied his returned bag onto the bed. "What's going on?" Scott rubbed his palm over his cheek, trying to wake himself up, and turned to face Jack.
"My- my dad got out." He muttered. "He's fighting the state for custody. I have to go see him."
Jack raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Didn't your dad-"
"Yeah, he did." Scott broke in. He poked his lip ring with his tongue. It did not even hurt anymore. "Turn around." He commanded Jack. Jack obliged and Scott changed into a pair of skinny jeans.
"Did I tell you I like your hair?" Jack asked when he turned back around. Scott tried to smile but failed. He fiddled with the studded bracelet around his wrist. "It'll be okay." He said encouragingly, ruffling Scott's hair. "You'll come back and live with us, and we'll protect you. Like we should have done before." He stooped slightly, blue eyes staring into brown. "I promise." He whispered.
Scott felt his voice fail. He mouthed a few words and turned away, clearing his throat. "Thanks." He said, turning and leaving the room.
Jenny stood by the door, searching him for a coat. Bobby appeared beside her and handed him the thick wool one from the car.
"Um, please give me one moment with my son." Evelyn asked. Jenny's thoughtful eyes narrowed slightly, but she nodded and stepped onto the porch. Evelyn turned to Scott and pulled him into a crushing hug. "I know things have been difficult for you." She murmured into his ear. "But you can still stay here, with us. I promise you I won't let anybody hurt you, ever again." She slowly released him, looking into his eyes.
He awkwardly laced his fingers and looked down. "Thanks, Evelyn." He said, almost inaudibly. "But if it's all the same to you, I miss my dad."
He heard Angel's scoff from the corner, but he didn't look up. He didn't wait for a reply, instead heading for the door to join Jenny. She was down by her car, smoking a cigarette, and she opened the door and slid into her seat as he circled the front and sat in the passenger's seat.
The drove most of the way in silence. Finally, about halfway there, Scott spoke up. "Will I get to live with my dad again?" He asked.
Jenny glanced at him. She looked disappointed at his question. "Your dad needs to go to alcoholics anonymous classes twice a week for the next thirteen months." She said. "He needs to check in with a parole officer every week, and has to keep a steady job and apartment. He's been to a court-ordered psychologist, who said he was fit to parent." Her shell-pink nails picked at the stitching on the wheel. "If he can do all that for the next eight months, you'll be able to stay with him permanently. For now, this is just a trial run."
"But I can stay there." Scott persisted. "It's not just a visit, right? I can stay?"
Jenny nodded, although she didn't look to happy about it. Already, he was beginning to like her less and less. She didn't seem quite as maternal now.
Satisfied, Scott leaned back against his seat and watched the stores and street-lights flash by. They pulled into a rough-looking neighborhood, stopping in front of a beat-up old tenement building.
This trip was just a visit, with social workers closely observing their interaction. If Scott's father proved a suitable enough father, the next visit would be a permanent stay.
They walked up the stairs to apartment 6B, the six hanging upside down ominously, like a noose. Jenny knocked on the door and it swung open, revealing a grizzled bear of a man in a stained wife beater and torn jeans.
"Hey kiddo." His father pulled him into a tight hug, the tears in his eyes proof enough for both caseworkers that Jimmy really had changed.
sorry i haven't updated in a while. been crazy busy with graduation and final projects all that jazz.