Page 24 of Adventures in Spring

“Tomorrow is more of a formality. We’ll get to hear their argument and why they’re doing this.”

“Do the twins have to be there?” I ask.

“No. They can stay here. I just wanted them present in case the judge asks to talk to them. But so far, I haven’t heard anything.”

“We should get some rest. We have to be there at eight,” Rhett says as we all agree.

* * *

When we get up, I have such a shitty feeling. Having to see Seth’s parents today isn’t something I’ve ever wanted to do.

When we get to the courthouse, we’re put in a room to wait. Waiting has never been my strong suit. We sit in the room for about thirty minutes before we’re called into the courtroom.

I look over to the other table and see Seth’s parents. They look old now, and they’re glaring at me.

We listen to their lawyer.

“We have proof that Emiko Yamaguchi has neglected her children, the grandchildren of Mr. And Mrs. Gordon Summers. We have a witness that will testify that they’ve witnessed Ms. Yamaguchi verbally and physically abusing them.”

“I don’t see a witness name on their list, Your Honor.”

“She lives in Wintervale, Montana. Where Ms. Yamaguchi resides with the children. She didn’t want any repercussions for her coming forward with this information.”

“We have the right to know who’s accusing my client of doing these things to her children.”

“You will see their witness at trial, counselor,” the judge says.

“I’m setting it for two weeks from now. I expect the children to be here too. Until the court date, I’m ordering the children be taken by child services and put into a foster home.”

I turn to Lorenzo and try not to burst into tears.

“Your Honor, the children have never been away from their mother. That would do a lot of damage to them. Can their grandparents take custody until the court date?”

“If I grant that, I will be ordering their paternal grandparents get visitation.”

“We would ask for supervised visits. They have never met the children.”

“No, they will be unsupervised. And overnight if that’s what they want.”

“Your Honor?—”

“Or they can go to social services. Your choice, counselor.”

I look over at Seth’s parents and they’re smiling and nodding at the judge.

“We’ll take it, Your Honor.”

“Then the minor children, Kaito Seth and Miyuki Keiko Yamaguchi-Summers will be put into the custody of Kiyoshi and Keiko Yamaguchi. With Gordon and Sheila Summers granted visitation. We’re adjourned for two weeks.”

The judge bangs his gavel and my tears start falling. Rhett grabs me and holds me.

“Don’t worry. We’re going to get this fixed. Let’s get back to your parents’ house and then we can talk.” Lorenzo says to us.

I nod at him as I try to stop sobbing. I’m going to lose my children…

ChapterTwelve

Rhett

---