Page 43 of Reclaiming Kendall

Family Huddle

KENDALL

It only took another few hours after Lucas and Teagan brought Will home before we got a phone call from the police department saying they caught the other kid. He didn't have anything on him that belonged to us. After we talked to him, we did a quick search of the house to confirm that nothing was missing. They speculated that me coming home when I did was the main reason why he wasn't able to steal anything.

They then turned around and came to the house, taking Will back to the station with them for questioning. Teagan called his dad to meet them over there in case there were any complications. Considering both boys' stories matched up, and we weren't pressing charges against Will, they let him come back home; making damn certain that we knew the final decision would be left to the state as to whether he could keep living with us or not.

That was last week, and we're scheduled to meet with Ms. Parks again today. She's going to be the bearer of good or bad news.

Unlike last time, we have an appointment set up with her. It gave me the chance to be prepared. I took a while earlier making little sandwiches and put them on a tray with some veggies. Setting a pitcher of sweet tea on the small coffee table, I've since been pacing the floor, letting my nerves get the best of me.

Lucas stops me halfway through the next turn by wrapping his arms around my body and pulling it towards him, "Stop stressing, baby. Everything is going to be fine. No sense in stressing it right now when we don't know what she's going to say."

I bob my head in agreement, but it's out of reflex only. I'm still freaking out on the inside. Then when the doorbell rings, I'm pretty sure I jump out of my skin. Lucas tugs me to the sofa between him and Grant. Teagan and Will sit across from us, leaving Mav to let Ms. Parks in. He leads her into the room only so that he's able to take the seat beside Will. It gives her the option of taking the only other empty chair or stand, and she chooses the former. As she gets settled, I offer her the stuff on the table, nearly choking on the words.

She declines, obviously wanting to get straight to the point, "The last time I was here, I told everyone that Will would only be allowed to live here if he stayed out of trouble. My supervisors have already signed off on the paperwork to move him into one of the local group homes."

Stupid tears burn at the corners of my eyes. As Maverick opens his mouth, Will places a hand on his uncle's knee, "It's okay. I told you I'd accept the consequences."

"We have the full report on what happened," Ms. Parks continues as if the scene with Mav and Will was invisible. "Am I to understand that this boy you've been getting in trouble with has been bullying you into doing so?"

Will nods, "Yes, ma'am."

Her lips purse like she just ate a lemon, "That's unfortunate. But, also the reason why I brought that paper with me today."

The tears flow freely down my face, and I know there's nothing we're going to be able to do here at the house to stop Will from leaving us. She pulls a thin white piece of paper from her briefcase but doesn't hand it to Maverick when he reaches for it.

"Another concern was that of Will's wellbeing living here under your special conditions," she implies. "I'm just going to be forthright for a moment. While I don't exactly understand your relationship, Will is still just a child. There are laws in place that prohibits adults from engaging in compromising situations with minors."

I think I'm the first one to catch on to what she's saying, and my face goes hotter than the fucking sun. I've gone through shock and moving on to outrage before Lucas, unquestionably the next to grasp her words, stands, "What you're suggesting is a blatant disrespect towards my wife. The fact you have the audacity to even think such a thing speaks a thousand words for your character. Take Will if you have to, but you can go ahead and bank on us fighting it and getting him back. I'll not have you sit here and question the morals of everyone in this house simply because we live a different lifestyle than that of an average person. If we're done here, then with all of the politeness left in me right now, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

She does a quick scan of all our faces; I'm sure finding disbelief and a whole lot of fury. Clasping her briefcase to her chest, she stands, facing Lucas. Will moves to stand as well, but almost slips completely from his seat when Ms. Parks grasps the paper between her thumb and index finger on each hand before ripping it straight down the middle. Then twice more and hands it over to Lucas.

"Burn it if you'd like," she says to him.

Facing me, she apologizes, "I know that came out of nowhere and was rude as hell, but I had to make sure."

Her right hand slips into her pocket and pulls out a voice recorder to push the red ‘stop’ button on the side, "I didn't want to do that, but it's the only way I could argue with my boss. We would much rather kids stay with their family if they have them. You just have to understand, the kids come first. Their safety is our priority."

I couldn't possibly agree more, even if I am still disgusted with her words. Will is like the little brother I never had, and as she said, still just a fucking kid. Taking a deep breath, I let it out again, and for the first time in the past couple of weeks, I feel like I don't have pressure sitting atop my chest.

Will gets to stay. I grin over to where he still sits, clearly in shock. Teagan pats him on the shoulder, and it seems to wake him up some. Ms. Parks stays for a few minutes after her announcement, but her discomfort is obvious. She sees herself to the door after half a glass of tea.

It isn't until we hear her car pulling away from the house that the guys let out a whoop of victory. Will meets me halfway around the table for a hug. The guys surround us, making our own little family huddle in the living room.

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