Page 74 of Brother to Brother

Archer

The new house still felt new, despite having lived in it more than a couple a weeks, hell, it might have even been a couple of months now; I’d lost track. When I pulled up and into the garage, it was with a bit of a sinking feeling. The state social worker woman’s car was parked at the curb, and I felt irritation rise to the surface. A feeling I pretty quickly shoved back down so that I could face what was coming.

Very rarely, when the state got involved, did good things happen. In fact, with the way I’d come up? I can’t ever rememberanythinggood coming of it.

“Archer?” Melody called and I rounded the corner into our dining room to find her, along with the black social worker lady, and Noah sitting at the table. Noah was in a high chair that Rush had built for us when it was obvious that the new dining room table and chairs wasn’t going to work for our little man until he put on another growth spurt or two.

“Hey, Baby.” I kissed my wife, “Hey, Little Man,” I kissed the top of his head. “Ma’am,” I greeted the social worker with a nod. She smiled at me, and I took off my jacket and cut, hanging it from the back of my chair.

“As I was telling Melody, neither one of you haveanythingto worry about. You are both exemplary parents from everything I have seen, even given the somewhat unorthodox lifestyle,” she said, indicating my jacket and cut with an inclination of her head. She seemed regal, but what was more, she seemedrespectful,which was a fuck of a lot more than I could say for Mel’s parents.

“That’s good to know,” I said dropping heavily into my seat. It’d been a long day and I felt like cutting to the chase, “So what happens now?”

“Now, I finish my report, which will be nothing short of glowing, and my supervisor contacts the complainants and tells them rather politely to go fly a kite.” I blinked and laughed, I couldn’t help myself. She’d just caught me well off guard.

“Oh yeah? How’s that?”

“Well, for one, we’ll be telling them their accusations have been found to be boundless, but I warn you, with people as zealous as your mother and stepfather seem to be, this might not be over. They have the ability to file a complaint through family court, but it will, more than likely, get tossed right out. I can’t imagine a judge granting your parents’ custody when there is absolutelynothingsuggesting that it would be in the best interests of the child.”

Melody sank into a seat across from the lady while I sat in stony silence…and there it is,I thought to myself,the other shoe just dropped.

“You mean that evenafteryou’ve investigated, after you’ve come out here twice and seen for yourself that Noah is perfectly healthy and happy, they canstilltry to take him away from me? Drag me to court, and make us go through legal proceedings?”

“Yes and no,” the woman said. “They can file suit in family court, in effect, suing you for custody of Noah, and there will be a hearing, but they have absolutely no grounds and the judge will most likely toss it out right on its ear. I would be happy to testify on your behalf, too. They don’t have any legal leg to stand on. Noah is your son, and you’ve done nothing but what’s in his best interest since the day he was born according to everything I have both seen for myself and read. I wouldn’t worry, Melody.”

“Think we should get a lawyer?” I asked.

“Couldn’t hurt,” the woman said, “though I doubt you would need one. If your parents were serious about this, they would definitely have one.”

Mel got up abruptly and went into the kitchen, bracing herself against the counter by the sink, looking out into the back yard. Everything about her hunched shoulders said how painful this was for her. It made me double if not triply determined to do everything in my power to protect her and Noah both.

“Honestly, at this point, I wouldn’t borrow trouble. I would just wait and see what happens.”

“We’re not borrowing trouble, trouble is already here,” I said with a tired sigh. “Thank you for warning us, I’ll make sure we’re prepared.”

The woman nodded and stood up, “You all take care, now. Hopefully, I never see you again, but if I do, know that I’m on your side.” She bent down and shook Noah’s hand. “It was very nice to meet you, Noah.”

He grinned at her and she and I shared a chuckle. I heaved myself to my feet and saw her out. She gave me a couple of her business cards at the door.

“I mean it, if trouble comes up, don’t hesitate to call. You have a very sweet family you’ve built for yourself, Mr. Turner.”

“Thanks again, Ms. Washington,” I said and let her out our front door.

I tucked the cards into my wallet and went back into the kitchen. Mel was still at the counter, head bowed, shoulders shaking with silent tears. If she were so dead certain that this was going to be the course of action her parents were going to take, then I needed to find us the best family lawyer I could. It just seemed like good sense.

I held my wife in our kitchen while she cried bitterness and hurt onto my tee and I didn’t do anything to stop her. I just stood there, impervious by all accounts, when secretly, all I could think to myself was how much I’d grown tohateitwhen my wife cried.

If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.

I don’t know what made me think of that particular bible verse right then, but I knew one thing… it may be an old fashioned form of retribution, but I damn sure had a few ideas on how to modernize it. I may not be god, but I damn sure was a force to be reckoned with.

Just try it,I thought at Mel’s wretched bitch ass mother.Just try it and see what happens.

Chapter 33

Melody

Two weeks had passed since Carina Washington’s last visit and I was walking on eggshells every time I went and checked the mail. Today wasn’t exactly an exception to that. I was with Dani, Everett, Ashton, and Hayden and we were all painting my living room. Sheets covered all of the furniture and carpets and when I bent down to put my roller through some paint to finish attacking the wall. I stood up and Dani burst out laughing.

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