across the street. We don’t know when they’ll go to trial and I feel your safety is at risk.”
“That’s preposterous!” Andrew moves to the edge of his chair. “She’s been with us for six months. She stays away from the Parkers and they stay away from us since they gave us custody.” He stabs the table with his finger. “She’s safe right where she is.”
The room spins around me as I process the possibility of being taken away from the Jerichos to live with complete strangers. How can she do this?
“I want to stay where I am,” I blurt out.
“I can’t recommend that in good conscience, Sara. We’ve already removed Victoria,” Gillian states.
“That makes sense because she lived there,” Rose says. “But Sara has done well in our home. You can’t just take her like this.”
The love I felt in the park returns. Andrew and Rose had no reason to save me or take me into their home. Now they sit next to me, fighting to keep me in it. This is a chosen family loving each other in difficult circumstances when the only ties are those of love, not blood.
“Maybe once her parents are in jail,” Gillian says, void of emotion.
Andrew leans into the table, narrowing his eyes at Gillian. “You play a dirty game not warning us of your intentions. If we had known, our lawyer would’ve been here. You can bet we’ll fight this. Your argument for taking Sara is flimsy at best.”
A male deputy interrupts to inform us the judge is ready. We file into a courtroom lined with shiny, medium-brown stained wood. The old man in black robes at the front of the room reads the papers in his hand. Gillian makes me sit at the table with her while Andrew and Rose sit behind the wood barrier. A woman in a gray suit and mousy brown hair calls the room to order.
Gillian presents my case, then gives her recommendation.
The judge removes his wire-rimmed glasses. “I’m inclined to agree with you, Ms. Barrow. I’m ordering Sara Parker be remanded into state’s custody and placed in foster care.”
No! This can’t happen. “Wait!” I jump out of my seat.
Gillian tries to tug me back into the chair, but I pull away and glare at her.
“Don’t I get a say, Your Honor?” I ask.
“Miss Parker,” he says, staring me down, “you will go into foster care until we are assured of your safety in the Jericho’s home.”
“I am safe! I’ve been safe! If it weren’t for the Jerichos, I’d still be in that house being abused and raped.” I wave my arm at Gillian. “She didn’t even tell us why we were comi—”
“Miss Parker, that is quite enough,” he says, using the same tone Mother did when she didn’t want to listen.
I grind my teeth. Goddamn motherfucking jackass. Brandishing his perceived power, just like my father did.
“Another word and I will hold you in contempt.”
I fall into my chair. It’s not fair. It’s not fucking fair. They can’t do this.
The judge picks up more papers and returns his glasses to his face. Gillian stands and gathers her bag.
I can’t believe this is it.
“Let’s go, Sara,” Gillian whispers.
I storm out without a glance at Andrew and Rose and pace in the waiting room. I feel like a tornado, ready to destroy everything in my path. I want to explode, let it all out, and punch the fucking bitch in the face so she knows what it feels like.
Andrew and Rose come out of the courtroom with their arms around each other, tears streaming down. My own tears fall and I push my fury aside. I throw my arms around them and we cry together.
Gillian stands next to us, looking expectant when we break apart. “I’ll drive you home to pack a bag.”
“I’d rather ride with Andrew and Rose.”
“I can’t allow that.”
I scoff at her and march off to the elevators. I’m being taken from the only place I’ve felt safe. On my birthday. It’s not even lunchtime, so I can’t call say goodbye to my friends.
The fury and sorrow struggle for dominance, but I let the former win. Gillian will not see me cry again.
FOSTER
“The family you come from isn’t as important as the family you’re going to have.”
~Ring Lardner
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
It’s been two weeks since court, and I hate my foster home. I share a room with Krista, and two boys, Cal and Nick, share another room. I have no privacy and my routine is stricter than it was