Chapter 12

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Chapter 12
Decisions Decisions

     Wes stared at himself in the mirror. He had had just enough time the day before to get a haircut. Acacia came to do Farrah’s hair again, and Dana had found a suit for Wes and a dress for Farrah. Wes’ stomach was tail spinning with nervousness. He kept repeating in his head Farrah will stay with me. He wanted to believe this was true but pictured visiting her at some random foster home, or worse living with his mother and being hurt. He was determined to not let that happen. He didn’t care what his lawyer would say, he was going to tell the judge exactly what he thought.

     Acacia finished Farrah’s hair and announced her into the living room like a movie star. Everyone said how beautiful she looked, and said Acacia had done a great job. Iris gave Dana a big hug and ushered Acacia out the door, knowing that they would all need to leave soon. Farrah ran to Acacia and wrapped her arms around her. “Thank you.” Farrah said.

     “You’re welcome and good luck today.” Acacia said hugging her back.

     Acacia walked over to Wes, who looked very pale at the moment. “It will all be okay” she said looking him right in the eyes, and grabbing his hands. A half smile emerged on Acacia’s face and Wes mimicked the reassuring gesture.

     The drive to the court house was dead silent in the jeep. Farrah gazed out the window. If she looked at Wes she might start crying. The clouds overhead looked like they might too. Farrah fought with all her might not to fall apart. She did not want to disappoint Wes or worry anyone, so she cept her body together while her mind and heart crumbled.

     Wes saw this building everyday he went to Dana’s for work. Today would be the first time he stepped foot into it. It was three stories and newer with lots of large glass windows. When they approached the double glass doors Peter said “there is a metal detector so ditch the guns before we go in”. Dana gave Peter a very dirty look and no one laughed. Peter’s humor meant to lighten up the dreary crowd didn’t pass a bit. Farrah hadn’t even understood the joke; her focus was on not crying.

     The guards stood and had everyone emptying their pockets. Farrah beeped when she went through the large machine. They began wanding her body to find the source. “Take off your shoes please” said one of the guards. Farrah slipped off her black shoes that had small metal studding and put them on the conveyer belt. She was beep free when she went through the next time. Everyone had finished their turns through the detector as Farrah was finishing the fastening of her shoes. Peter got directions from a guard and the headed to an elevator.

      Waiting outside the elevator on a small bench was Gina, and Sabeen. Unlike Wes’ solemn and quiet crowd, Sabeen and Gina were chatting it up. Wes became annoyed. Gina was supposed to be his lawyer but it seemed like she really wanted to help Sabeen.

     It wasn’t until they arrived on the next floor when Farrah saw the man she hit on Christmas Eve. He stood next to a stalky woman holding a file. Her dress was loud with color, and if they were not in a court house Wes would swear this women was a tourist on a cruise. He had seen enough thank you pictures in Dana’s office to know what they looked like. When the grey haired man who Farrah had he outburst with saw all of them he came up to them.

      Farrah wanted to burst out crying again. She felt bad that she had hit the man. She also felt so scared of him too. He was the one who wanted her to go live with strangers.

     “Hello Peter.” The man said.

     “Ron.” Peter said.

     “Looks like you beat us to a court case. We were planning on doing this as well.”

     “Actually, I didn’t do anything. We are just here supporting Wes and Farrah. Wes found a lawyer who got this all together.”

     “Well he certainly is resourceful isn’t he? I can tell you the office is not the same without you. I really wish you would reconsider.”

     “Ron, for once,  I am actually helping. I am not going to give up on these guys. Some things in the system are broken; I can either be a part of fixing it or enabling it.”

     “I am sorry you feel that way.”

     “I’m not.” Wes interrupted.

     Silence took over the room. It was only broken by a thin bailiff who escorted them into the courtroom. The bailiff must have been at least 60, and he walked with a limp. Farrah watched the man and started thinking of reasons he could have that limp. He could have fell this morning. He is a war vet who was shot in the leg. A dog mauled it years ago. This helped her escape from her deafening fears.

     Everyone was seated and waited for a couple minutes before the bailiff called out. “All rise for the honorable Robert Young presiding.”

     Everyone in the room rose. Wes could feel the tension rise as well. The judge sat and banged his gavel. Wes sat along with everyone else. He nudges Farrah, who for some reason still stood. She came out of her day dream and sat next to Wes.

     “Now, I have read this case thoroughly. From what I understand this is kind of a mess. So I am letting you know right now that I am keeping this hearing as informal as possible. Does anyone have any objections to that.” Said Judge Young. No one spoke. “Good. I am going to call people up ask questions, hear from both the state and Mrs. Gina Lastelle and then I will make my ruling.”

     “Wesley Marsh, you are first.”

     Wesley’s pale face did not darken since the house and held his hands together clasping to both contain his nervousness and hold it together. He was sworn in and waited for his questioning.

     “Now Wes, I want you to tell me, what brings us here. I understand you have acquired an attorney and brought us all together.”

     “Well I want custody of my sister.”

     “Yes that I know. I want the background, the history. You are the first 18 year old boy I have ever had asking for custody of a child he did not bring into this world, and even the 18 year olds I do see are only here because their parents make them, so tell me.”  

     Wes started from the beginning. He didn’t hold back, he started with his dad’s accident that devastated the family. Then he went into the drugs she began taking from the doctor, and how it soon spiraled into binges and all nighters. Ho slowly she would disapeer for a day or two a week, then a week or two a month. Until she just stopped. Wes described Maggie as a savior of sanity for himself and Farrah. He described the night his mom came back just a couple months ago and being found out by social services. He went through the last two years in about 20 minutes and felt overwhelmed at all the things that had gone on.

     “Wes, I see you did what you could. You took charge and did what any decent man would do but you made mistakes. First keeping your life a secret was a mistake. What would you have done if Farrah broke a leg, got really sick? When was the last time she saw a doctor, a dentist, or had a physical? These are things that children need to. Not to mention having to hold all that grief in, so no one finds out. That was wrong of you to ask her to do. You see you are not a parent. These are things parents think about. Brothers and sisters have secrets and lie to people. That is a lot of pressure a little girl like Farrah doesn’t need. Do you understand that?”

     Wes felt scared. Was he making Wes admit he didn’t do a good job, making it easier for Farrah to be taken away?

     “Yes, I understand. I should have done better. You know Farrah didn’t see doctors while my mom was going crazy either.”

     “Mr. Marsh maybe you don’t get it. You are barely aloud to be called an adult.”

     Wes didn’t know how to feel about his interactions with the judge. He didn’t feel that it went well, and that put a heavy feeling in his chest. The judge called Sabeen.

     “You have a capable young man, you must have been doing okay at one point. What I want to know is why there is no family involved that could have helped Farrah and Wes.”

     “My family is rid of me. I mean the word is disowned me. I left Iraq to be with my husband. What I did was worthy of death. I come from a very strong Islamic family and sleeping with a Christian man before I was wed put shame on my family. My father had every right to kill me for my actions against Allah and my husband saved me. I have no family except what is here.”

     “And your husbands family?”

     “My husband’s mother died during his birth. His grandparents raised him until his grandfather passed with a stroke and his grandmother was put into a home. She had a sickness that would not let her remember people. I think it is Alzheimer’s. He was put into foster care when he was 12. He said he went to many homes. When he turned 18 he joined the military. He had no one.”

     “I see, so what is your purpose today?”

     “I want Farrah back. I am going into a program which will allow me to keep her. I am getting better.”

     “How long have you been clean?”

     “I am 6 weeks sober.”

     “In that six weeks how many times have you come to visit Farrah?”

     “None, I did not think it would be good. I promised to stay away the last time I saw them.”

     “Why would you promise that?”

     “Because I bring bad things to them. I brought a man who I owed money to and he could have hurt them. I don’t want to hurt my kids.”

     “I see, and now you are just fine and can take Farrah? Do you even know who Farrah is anymore? Do you think she has changed? I think it would change me as a boy if my mother did what you have done and I had a brother raising me.”

     “I want to know her. She needs a mother. A boy who is not done learning about the world cannot raise a girl.”

     “I think you taught your son more about the world than you realize.”

     “Do you have a job, Mrs. Marsh?”

     “No, but I am working on it. I have been working with Salvation Station and Step 2 and they are helping with housing and a job. I should get to move in this month.”

     “Do you have transportation?”

     “No, I sold our car a long time ago. I use the bus.”

     “Do you know where Farrah would go to school, would she be able to maintain at her current school? I see her grades are very impressive.”

     “No the program is in Reno she would have to move.”

     “Do you believe you can handle taking care of a child right now?”

     “I know I can be strong for her, if I can stay clean.”

     “Thank you Mrs. Sabeen you can step down.”

      The courts tension did not ease. The judge wanted to talk to Farrah and asked her if she was okay about speaking in front of everyone or if she would rather talk in private. Farrah put on her brave face and took the stand.

     “Farrah, do you know what your mother and brother have said today to be the truth?”

     “Well, I didn’t know some things, but I believe them.”

     “What do you mean?”

     “I didn’t know my dad’s mom died when he was born, and I didn’t know what my mom said about her family. I just figured they were too far away or something to talk to us.”

     “I understand. So other than that they were honest?” asked Judge Young.

     “Yes. They both told the truth.”

     “Then I know you will too?”

     “Yes, I will.”

     “Farrah how do you feel about going with your mom? You heard what she said.”

     “Honestly I don’t want to. I love you mom.” She turned and faced her mother as she said this. “I don’t want to live with her. I don’t know if she will do drugs again. I don’t know if she will keep me safe.”

     “And your brother, how do you feel about your brother.”

     “I love him. He makes sure I eat and has kept some really bad people away from me. He helps me with school and everything.”

     “Do you ever wish your brother didn’t have to take care of you?”

     Farrah looked down at her lap a whisper came out so softly that even the microphone didn’t pick up.

     “You will have to speak up.”

     Farrah felt like what she was about to say would destroy Wes. “Everyday.”

     “What do you mean Farrah?”

     Wes’ face looked confused his wrinkled up forehead and eye brows stared at Farrah. “He is so wonderful and he works so hard and he gives up so much, I feel bad everyday he has to take care of me. I know it is not my fault but his life would be so much better if I wasn’t in it. He would be in art school, or traveling with Acacia right now. He isn’t he works two jobs and worries about me every day. I love that he does it, but I wish he didn’t have to.”

     Wes wanted to stand up and let Farrah know it way okay he didn’t mind. She was worth it. The attorney must have caught on to his anxiousness, she gave him a hand motion to sit and relax.

     “Those are pretty grown-up selfless thoughts you know that Farrah? I can see why your brother gives up so much, it would be hard not to with someone as loving as you. Now Farrah what do you think about foster care?”

     “I don’t. I mean I don’t want to think about it or be in it. My dad was in foster care and he said it didn’t matter if they were super nice or just okay the state would always move him. He said he would have to change schools, and homes, and his stuff would get left behind. He said he started over so many times that it felt weird not to pick up and move after 6 months. I don’t want that. I may not have the best clothes, or toys but I have Wes and he is worth way more than those things.”

     “Farrah, how is life at the Shay’s? It is really nice, because Wes is there and Peter and Dana are awesome. They have two dogs Fee Fee, and Cha Cha, and I never had a dog before and I really like them.”

     “Okay, so Farrah I have one last question. I want to know what you want to be when your grown up.”

     Farrah smiled she had anticipated a much more serious question.

     “I don’t know exactly, but a teacher told me once I was an old soul who would change the world, I believe her, so I might do something big. Like become president or change laws to help people like Wes and I, or anyone who needs help.”

     “I believe you will! I really do, and you know what I agree with every word that teacher said and don’t let anyone tell you different.”

     I wanted to next give you a synopsis of a letter written by Paula Fitz, council I have made it available for you to read as well. She is both Farrah and Wesley’s state appointed councilor. The main point she makes is well, here I will read it. “Wes and Farrah stand the best chance of making it through this difficult time if they remain together. The bond that they share with each other is what has made it possible for them to make it this far. They have kept each other sane in the face of adversity and tragedy. The both suffer from PTSD but have a nonverbal cure for it when around one another. In my professional opinion Wes and Farrah should remain together in some fashion.”

     Wes was thankful Paula had done that. He knew she was out of town but she still wrote a letter for him.

     The judge called up Ron Tuttle from the state.

     “Mr. Tuttle what is the state’s request regarding Farrah Marsh? We believe Farrah would do well and prosper in a foster home, and we could help facilitate visitation with Wesley, her brother, and help Mrs. Marsh obtain housing to eventually move Farrah back with her.”

     “Mr. Tuttle if you deemed this girl to be in need of a foster home why was she not already removed?”

     “Well your Honor, Mr. Shay was their social worker and retired from his position. This left the Marsh case open and I just recently took it over. Our internal personnel issues have kept us from fulfilling our functions on this case.”

     “While she was a client of yours did you make sure Farrah was being seen by a doctor, dentist or other medical physicians? We obtained the therapist for Farrah.”

     “Actually Mr. Tuttle, I have submitted documentation as you have been given copies of that Peter Shay,  retired employee submitted requests for the state to cover therapy costs as their medical insurance does not cover mental health services currently. I also recall from this document that the denial came from, well who denied it Mr. Tuttle?”

     “I did your Honor.”

     “That’s right, you did. Now can you tell me why?”

     “At that time documentation was submitted that a Mrs. Margaret Paquette was taking care of them and things were going well.”

     “So, how did Mrs. Paula Fitz come into the picture with a denial?” Asked the Judge.

     “Mr. Shay found her and she accepted them as a pro-bono account.”

     “I see, now what has changed from the time of Mrs. Paquette’s death and now that makes it imperative that Farrah be removed?”

     “There is no guardian at this time that can take care of Farrah.”

     “She is in need of a guardian and the state will accept its duty and step in.”

      “I think I am done with you Mr. Tuttle.”

     Wes had no clue where this was going, it seemed like the only person he wasn’t upset with was Farrah. He didn’t know Peter had to do what he did with Paula, and knew Peter must have really cared.

     “I would like to see you no Mr. Shay.”

     Peter sat down and swore in just as everyone else had, and awaited his questioning.

     “Well, Mr. Shay I see you quit over this issue with Wes and Farrah, is that true?”

     “Yes, I chose to quit because my work hindered the success of Wes and Farrah staying together. I found it more important that they remain together than keeping my job.”

     “That is pretty noble of you, but how did quitting your job help?”

     “I was told by Mr. Tuttle that it was inappropriate to be letting my clients stay with me and that Wes, who was 18, did not need to be in the system but that I needed to find a home for Farrah. I refused and explained that I would go through the process like other foster parents and then be licensed to keep her and still allow Wes to remain with us. He said that would take too long and that she needed to go. That is when I quit.”

     “I see. I wish I had called you first, as I would like Mr. Tuttle to site the law that deems it inappropriate to help clients. I think that is all I need from you unless you have anything else you would like to add.”

     “I do have one thing. I understand what Farrah said, I to would hope that Wes could do the things he dreams of doing, but he loves Farrah to much to even second guess his decision. That is why I will stand behind Wes, I have met many parents in the system, but by far Wes is the most dedicated father figure I have ever seen.”

     “Thank you Mr. Shay.”

     Farrah knew Peter was right. Wes was the best. She hoped the judge would see this.

     “I think I am ready to make a decision unless council has anything else to present.”

     Both lawyers turned. Gina looked at Wes and asked if there was anything she wanted him to say.

     “Just let him get it over with.”

     Mr. Tuttle and the state attorney talked a while longer.

     “Today council.”

     Gina stood up, “Your Honor we have no further comments.”

     “The state rests as well.” Said the colorful women.

     “Okay we will recess for 15 minutes while I think over my decision. There is a lobby down stairs with a snack and soda machine. I will see you soon.”