Page 35 of 6+ Us Makes Eight (Baby Makes Three)

“Miss Gentry, how familiar are you with Mr. Aaron?” Maria asked.

“Who?”

“Ryan Aaron. The hotel mogul?” she asked.

“You mean the kid’s uncle? I’ve met him a few times. Why?” I asked.

“Zoey’s been bragging to the other students about living with her uncle. Her and the boys.”

“Yes?” I asked. “He was the one given temporary custody of his sister’s children.”

“We’re aware of that. But there’s a decision coming our way and we have to make sure it’s being made in the best interest of the children.”

Which was code for ‘Valentina wasn’t getting her children back’. My stomach sank to the floor. Those children would be heartbroken. Their lives would be completely upended.

It made me sick to think about.

“Miss Espinoza, I’m sorry… but you know the kids are with their uncle. So why are you here asking me questions about Zoey’s behavior?” I asked.

“I had a concerned parent call on a couple of occasions,” Mr. Atkins said. “A child in Benjamin’s class is saying that the three of them share a room?”

“Is that uncommon?” I asked. “Or even an issue?”

“What we’re trying to figure out is if Mr. Aaron’s personal accommodations and lifestyle can handle three children,” Mrs. Espinoza said.

“You mean does Ryan’s partying lifestyle allow him to be the sole caretaker of his niece and nephews.”

“Hypothetically speaking, of course,” Mr. Atkins said.

“I know how this works. And I know there’s no hypothetical about it. Mr. Aaron is a very caring uncle. He’s got a support network around him that consists of a single father who understands him as well as the teachers in this school who rally around those kids. They’ve been through enough. And if you think that ripping them away from the only other family they know is going to be any better for them, then you’re sorely mistaken.”

“With all due respect, Miss Gentry, that isn’t your decision to make,” Maria said.

“And with all due respect, Mrs. Espinoza, I’ve seen Ryan with those children,” I said.

“That’s another situation I want to address with you,” Mr. Atkins said. “You seem very confident in Mr. Aaron’s parental capabilities.”

“I’ve seen him with those children. Benjamin just got over being sick, and he handed it like any man taking care of a sick child would. He needed some help, he had no issues reaching out for that help, and all three of the children are fine. They’re fed. Clothed. Sleeping in separate and comfortable bedrooms. Ryan’s rearranged his entire schedule around their schooldays. Just because you have one reputation of him doesn’t mean he isn’t capable of more, or better.”

“I would like to know how you’re so confident in this,” Mrs. Espinoza said. “It would go a long way in keeping them with family, after all.”

I drew in a deep breath as my eyes fell to my lap. I knew this was going to get me in trouble, but I had no choice. I wasn’t going to allow the one organization who put them in Ryan’s care to then rip those children away from him because of his reputation. I’d already judged him harshly on it and I was already eating my words.

These children weren’t going to pay for the same mistake.

“I know about their home conditions because I’ve been by to check on the children myself,” I said.

“So it’s true. You did go home with them that first day Mr. Aaron picked them up from school,” Mr. Atkins said.

“I had no choice. CPS wasn’t getting back to me on why Mr. Aaron was suddenly picking the children up and I wasn’t relinquishing them until I knew they were okay. I couldn't get anyone on the phone, the kids were hungry, so I went to Mr. Aaron’s place and stayed with them until CPS got back with me. And I can tell you, without a shadow of a doubt, that those kids are loved, protected, and cared for in his home.”

“You stepped out of line, Miss Gentry. We have strict policies here at Lawrence Day.”

“Which also include not sending children home with people who aren’t on their release list,” I said. “What did you want me to do? Hold everyone at the school hostage until nine o’clock at night? Because that was when Mrs. Espinoza here finally got back to me. Nine o’clock.”

Mr. Atkins looked over at Maria with a very stern look before he sat back in his chair.

“Procedure here is followed to the letter, Miss Gentry. And if you ever have the inkling to press past procedure, then you have my number. If you were doubting our regulations that much, you should’ve called.”

---