Page 1 of Hyde

Part One

Prologue

Hyde

“All rise for the Honorable Rachel Shapiro,” the bailiff calls out, his voice sounding harsh as my heart beats a mile a minute.

Wiping my sweaty palms against my jeans, I look over my shoulder to where Flint and Bree are sitting. He gives me a nod as she turns her head to wipe a tear away.

“Joseph Madda, approach the bench,” Judge Shapiro calls out, looking at me over the top of her glasses.

I can feel her perusal with every step I take, before her eyes shift over my shoulder and she scans the courtroom. I know what she sees, as her gaze lands on each of the Northern Grizzlies stuffing the gallery behind me.

A bunch of bikers.

And me, barely eighteen, with two small nicks on my freshly shaved face, and wearing a borrowed jacket over a pair of jeans and heavy boots. But I shined my boots, just in case that counted for anything.

“Well, this is certainly not what I’m used to dealing with in this court,” she says, her tone nearly has me squirming. “I had a long talk with Flint and Briana Kelly earlier, and while this is unusual at your age, I want you to understand the weight this document will hold after I sign it.”

“I know, ma’am,” I croak out when she pauses.

“Address the Judge as ‘Your Honor’,” the bailiff gently corrects me.

“Mr. and Mrs. Kelly think very highly of you. So much so, that from this day forward, their names will hold significantpositions on your birth certificate. Mother and Father. Additionally, Mr. Kelly’s three older children care about you as well. I would like you to know, they’ve submitted a letter to the court, welcoming you as their brother,” she tells me, holding up a couple of sheets of paper. One she folds up and puts to the side, before placing the other in the folder in front of her.

It is seconds later when I feel Bree’s hand slide into mine and Flint’s hand clamp down on my shoulder that I start to relax for the first time, unsure why I was nervous to begin with. I squeeze Bree’s hand three quick times and she squeezes back the same number.

Nodding to the three of us, the judge continues. “Those who stand before me tend to be significantly younger than you and for them it’s a process with many more steps involved. From my interview with Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, I know they would consider you their son whether or not I signed these papers. That they’ve made their home, yours, and cared for and supported you for several years now.

“From what I do know about your story, I imagine that holds some weight with you,” she concludes, tilting her head to the side. “Given your age, I will ask you, before the bench if this is what you want. That you want Flint and Briana as your parents, and from this day forward, for your name to legally be changed to Joseph Kelly?”

“Um, ma’am, um, Your Honor,” I correct myself, my eyes shifting to the bailiff who gives me a nod. “I was wondering if I could have a middle name? Because I don’t have one. From before, I mean.”

In addition to a couple of chuckles from the guys behind me, the judge smiles for the first time and it lights up her face. “What did you have in mind?”

“Brian, like her name. Just without the ‘a’ at the end,” I answer the judge, leaning down to kiss Bree on her temple. “Joseph Brian Kelly, please.”

“I will have that added to the final document,” Judge Shapiro replies after visibly swallowing and I catch the bailiff clearing his throat, his eyes now glued to the floor.

“If you three will please step forward and sign your full names on this,” the Judge requests, placing a pen next to a document. When I step forward, she holds up a bowl of lollipops. “As I said, you’re a bit older than the children I typically see, but if you get adopted in my court, you get a lollipop.”

I sign my new name on the document, then carefully select my favorite flavor. As soon as I stick the lollipop in my mouth, the guys behind me start laughing again, which quickly turns to clapping and hollering.

Standing before them, I’m quickly pulled into Bree’s arms.

“Damn it, you made me cry,” she growls up at me, her green eyes unnaturally bright.

“I love you, Ma. I wanted your name, too, not just Flint’s,” I tell her, pressing my forehead against hers. “I was tied up about asking you first.”

“I love you so much,” she says, squeezing my biceps before stepping back.

Flint pulls me in for a quick bear-hug.

“Mr. Kelly,” the judge says, and Flint turns to look at her. “No, the other one.”

Turning to look at her, she’s holding out the letter she had mentioned. “Although I doubt you’re into scrapbooking, I thought you should have the opportunity to read what your new siblings had to say on your behalf.”

“Thank you,” I say, taking it and transferring it to my other hand before I reach out again, this time to shake hers. From the surprised look on her face, I can see that isn’t the norm, but she matches my firm grip.

---