CHAPTER 6:
Later that day, Leah faced her parents in court for the child abandonment case.
"Miss Brownstone, do you have anything you'd like to tell the court?" Judge Pratt asked.
"Your Honor, as you may know; most people discover who they are when they are teens and I am no exception," Leah spoke, sounding nervous. She glanced at Tori, who gave her an encouraging look.
"I never wanted my parents to know that I'm gay," Leah continued. "And then this past June, I felt like I had no choice but to tell them. After I did, we hardly talked at all for the rest of the day. My parents talked it over in private, and after that, they told me to get out of their house."
"I asked my dad where he wanted me to go," Leah went on, looking up at the judge. "All he said was 'I don't care where you go. If you're going to engage in this sinful behavior, get out of my life now!' Those were his exact words and I will never forget them. They didn't even give me time to pack a suitcase; all I could take was whatever I could fit in my pockets."
She paused, thinking, then spoke again. "Do I forgive my parents for what they did to me? No! If Tori hadn't come along and offered me a place to stay, I probably would've died of starvation. Do you have any idea how awful that feels? It just sucks. How can they just stand there and not feel any remorse for what they did?"
Leah left the witness stand and sat down, and then the lawyers began presenting their cases. Kevin and Karen were called as witnesses.
"Your Honor, four generations of Brownstones have followed the Christian faith. That's not going to end just because one family member chooses a sinful lifestyle," Kevin explained.
"Do you really think that makes any difference in this case?" Judge Pratt asked.
"Well, doesn't it?" Karen asked.
"Folks; I'm a Christian myself. But I'm also a parent, and I believe that what you put this poor girl through is wrong," Judge Pratt said firmly. "It also constitutes child abandonment, which is illegal."
"We just couldn't stand the shame, Your Honor," Kevin said. "Do you know what everyone we know would say if they found out that we have a….a lesbian for a daughter?"
"No, and it doesn't matter," Judge Pratt said. "Mr. and Mrs. Brownstone, you have committed a federal crime. The two of you are being charged with child abandonment."
"But you can't do that, Your Honor!" Karen exclaimed.
"You can't send us to jail," Kevin said quickly.
"I certainly can," Judge Pratt said as she banged her gavel upon the desk for silence. "And I just did." Judge Pratt read the Brownstones' sentences aloud.
"If we're getting locked away because of her, then we refuse to claim her as our child any longer," Kevin said. "We wish to relinquish our parental rights. She is no longer our child, nor our problem," he requested.
"Honey, are you sure you want to do this?" Karen asked him in a whisper. "Once you surrender the rights, there's no going back."
"Remember the Brownstone mantra. Remember the whole reason I married you," Kevin reminded her.
Karen sighed, "Fine…we'll do it."
"Are you absolutely positive you want to do this?" Judge Pratt chimed in. "Because Mrs. Brownstone is correct; once this decision is made and a ruling takes place, it is irreversible."
"We understand," Kevin acknowledged, unmoved.
"We'll do it," Karen said, looking at her husband.
"Very well. I will ask that your attorney draft the proper paperwork to complete this process," Judge Pratt said.
After the bailiff took the Brownstones away, Leah had only one thought. "Goodbye and good riddance!"
"On a further note," Judge Pratt started again. "Is there any other relative that could take custody of the child?"
"Other than her parents, Miss Brownstone has only one living relative left," Leah's lawyer told the judge. "That relative was contacted by Child Protective Services, but is unfortunately unable to take Miss Brownstone into their custody at this time, Your Honor," Leah's lawyer explained. "The Vega family have agreed to take Leah in, and they've already met all terms required by CPS. We move that Mr. and Mrs. Vega be granted legal guardianship," he finished.
"In that case, Mr. and Mrs. Vega, I hereby grant you legal guardianship for Miss Brownstone," Judge Pratt declared.
After the session was dismissed, everyone met outside the courthouse.
"I get to stay with you!" Leah said quickly, beaming, as she hugged Tori. "That is if you want me there," she added, gazing up at Tori and her parents.
"Of course!" Tori said happily. "Of course we want you there. Are you sure you're okay though?"
"Mhm, yes for the time being," Leah admitted. "I'm glad my parents got sent away…"
"Well, Leah, let's look to the future. You're with us now," Holly smiled.
"And we'll take good care of you," David added.
Tori updated her status on TheSlap which read: "I hate family feuds, but I do love family beginnings - MOOD = Philosophical".
One week later, David, Holly, Trina, and Tori gathered around Leah. "Leah, I need to talk to you about something," David said.
"What's up?" Leah asked, puzzled.
"Well, my wife and I were talking it over. We'd like to know — since your parents decided to surrender their rights, how would you feel about us adopting you?" David asked.
Tori, standing beside Leah, nodded. After a moment, Leah answered. "I would love that!"
"Great! We'll go to the courthouse tomorrow, and find out how to get the process started then," David said.
"Thank you so much," Leah said as tears brimmed up. She got up from the couch and Holly gave her a hug.
THE END!