by T. K. Chapin
He laughed. “I bet!”
Walking together into the living room, the boys were looking at the presents, looks of uncertainty on their faces.
Todd’s eyes were glued to Courtney. “Can we open them?”
“Well, of course!” Brian came closer to the boys, who were each holding a gift in their hands. “Do you have the right ones?”
Peering at the name tags on the gifts, he nodded. “You managed to find the right ones. Go ahead.”
“Good job waiting, boys.” Turning to Brian, she explained the morning to him.
“Ahh, I see. It’s good that they learned from it.”
Brian and Courtney sat down on the couch. She turned toward him. “What time is Lucy coming over?”
“This afternoon. Hey, there’s a New Year’s Eve gathering at the warehouse. I was wondering if you wanted to go with me?”
Courtney peered over at the boys. “I don’t know if I can find a sitter.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean just you. You can bring the boys with you. It’s for the employees and their families. We have fireworks and a big dinner. It’s a lot of fun.”
“All right. Yes, count us in!”
“Great. It’ll be fun.”
Todd ran over with his Nerf gun. “Can you open it for me?”
Receiving the package into his hands, Brian nodded and pulled out his pocketknife. Cutting the plastic, his eyes grew wide. “Whoa. This thing is awesome. Be careful and don’t point it at anyone. Got it?”
Todd nodded excitedly as he took the gun back into his hands. He started loading nerf bullets into the chamber on the side.
Courtney watched as Todd loaded it. “These boys make everything into guns.”
He laughed. “I know. I figured that’s why Nerf guns would be fun for them. I wasn’t a hundred percent sure you’d be okay with it . . . but I went with my gut.”
Peering over at him, her glance and smile melted his heart. “It was a good idea. Thank you.”
Todd lifted his gaze to Brian. “Thank you, Brian!”
“You’re welcome, Champ.”
“I almost forgot.” Courtney grabbed her purse from beside the couch and pulled it onto her lap. Retrieving a small rectangular box from inside, she handed it to him.
Taking the small blue box with a ribbon into his hands, he shook his head. “You shouldn’t have gotten me anything.”
“I wanted to.”
“I didn’t get you anything.”
“That’s okay.”
He laughed and looked over at the tree. “It’s in the tree.”
She tilted her head and raised her eyebrows. “Really?”
Rising, she went over to the tree and searched the branches. Pulling a white box out, she came back over to the couch.
“You open your gift first.”
She shook her head. “I gave you yours first. You open first.”
“Okay, okay.” Lifting the lid of the blue box, he found inside a digital smart watch that records his steps and workouts. “Wow. Thank you!”
“You’re welcome.” Unwrapping her white box, she stopped and covered her mouth. “Oh, Brian. It’s beautiful.”
“It’s just a little something I picked up. When I saw it, I thought of you.”
Pulling out the heart-shaped pendant on a white gold chain, her lips curled into a smile. “It’s wonderful. Thank you. Can you help me put it on?”
“Yes.”
Taking it into his hands, he unclasped the chain as she turned and lifted her hair up from her neck. Placing the necklace around her neck, he clasped the ends together.
Turning toward him, she touched the pendant.
“How’s it look?”
Peering into her eyes, he smiled and leaned in. “It’s perfect.”
Then he kissed her.
The following week was New Year’s Eve, and Courtney was nervous about making a good impression on Brian’s employees and their families. She knew it’d be a great time, but she wasn’t sure how the boys would do with the loud sounds of the fireworks. The blow dryer and vacuum were known to strike fear in their hearts, so she couldn’t imagine what the sound of explosions would do.
Arriving just after six that evening, she was relieved to see children the boys’ ages there, and they also had games and a jumpy castle set up for the children. Immediately, Todd and Blaze kicked their shoes off and ran for the castle.
Spotting Brian in a group of people chatting, Courtney went and found a seat at an open table. Sitting down, she set her purse under her chair and then went and grabbed plates of food for the boys.
As she made her way through the line of food, she held a plate in each hand for the kids. She had been encouraging their eating habits to lean more toward natural and healthy options and had made some progression. So, she grabbed fruits, but also hot dogs and chips.
“Kids are so random with what they eat, aren’t they?” a woman commented as Courtney placed a piece of broccoli on Todd’s plate.
She laughed and nodded. “And it changes daily!”
“Hi, I’m Lindy. Oscar’s wife.”
“Hi. I’m Courtney, Brian’s girlfriend.”
Lindy raised an eyebrow. “Dating the big wig. Wow. I thought he’d never date again.”
Smiling, she shrugged. “I guess he changed his mind.”
Walking over to her table, she set the plates of food down. Brian walked over to her and kissed her cheek.
“Glad you’re here. How’s the food look?”
“Everything is great.” Glancing past him at the jumpy castle, she smiled. “It’s nice there is so much for the kids to do too!”
“Yeah. It’s always a good idea to keep the kids busy at these kinds of things. You know?”
“Right.” Glancing at Lindy, she directed her attention back on Brian. “I met this gal named Lindy. She didn’t have any idea we were dating. Are you not telling people?”
“I tell people when it comes up. Are you okay?” Brian came closer, his look growing more serious. “I’m not trying to hide you or anything, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I was just curious.”
“Come on, let’s go around. I want to introduce you to the crew. You can finally meet the rest of the people who work for me.” He put out a hand for her to grab.
Smiling, she took his hand and let him lead the way.
At a little past nine thirty that evening, the sun finally began to set and everyone in attendance, including the children, migrated out to the warehouse bay doors for the fireworks.
As Brian and a few of the warehouse workers set up the fireworks, Courtney tried to settle the boys down in chairs.
“There’s going to be fireworks in just a minute. Remember the video I showed you earlier today? With all the colors and explosions?”
Todd was pulling his body away from her, trying to go back in through the bay doors to return to the jumpy castle.
“I want to go jump.”
“There’s no kids in there. Everyone is out here, buddy.”
“But I want to go inside.”
Suddenly, a firework shot into the sky. Everyone cheered and Blaze clapped excitedly. Todd screamed and jerked his hand away from Courtney, covering his ears. He started running and Courtney jumped from her seat in pursuit of him.
Finding him in a dimly lit hallway sitting down with his hands over his ears crying, she sat down beside him. Leaning her back against the wall, she could hear the fireworks going off outside in the distance.
She wrapped an arm around Todd and brought him into her hold.
“I don’t want to go outside!” he shouted. “It hurts my ears!”
“That’s fine. We’ll sit right here.”
He finally relaxed and let himself lean into her side. Holding him close to her, she let herself enjoy the moment of being there for him.
When it was time to leave after the fireworks, Brian helped Courtney with the boys out to the car. After buckling them into their car seats, she shu
t the back door and turned toward Brian.
“Sorry the fireworks we got scared Todd.” Brian rubbed his neck, appearing to take on the guilt of Todd’s fear.
Shaking her head, she leaned in and kissed him as she smiled. “It was fine, Brian. He is just sensitive. We all had a lovely time. Thank you for having us.”
He let out a relieved sigh. “Good. I’m glad you still think it went well. You ready for court in a few days?”
Her insides dipped into her stomach. “Ready or not, right?”
Brian nodded and pulled her in close to him, holding her for a moment. “We’ll get through it together.” Then he kissed her deeply.
Chapter 10
Hours before court a few days later, Courtney tried to wait patiently for Brian and Susan to arrive at her apartment. He was going with her, and Susan was going to stay with the boys. Today, Courtney would be going to the courthouse to face her sister and mother. She had learned in the last couple of days that her mother, Rhonda, had flown in from Blackfoot, Idaho, to be there as moral support for Taylor.
Courtney’s heart and mind were being tossed to and fro in waves of uneasiness in the days leading up to that particular morning. She prayed more than she had ever prayed and kept committing all her anxiety to the Lord, but it wouldn’t relent. Hearing the knock on the front door that morning, she rushed to answer it.
It wasn’t Brian or Susan. It was her mother, and she did not look pleased.
“Mom?”
Rhonda stepped across the threshold and into the apartment. Turning herself to face Courtney, she glared as she tore into her daughter. “How dare you do this! You are tearing this family apart with this choice! You think your father would be pleased with you right now if he were alive?”
Courtney’s thoughts and gaze shifted to the boys in the living room. Hurrying over to them, she ignored her mom and helped them get down to their room to play. Once she shut the door, she returned to the living room. Breathing deeply as she lifted prayers toward Heaven, she came face-to-face with her mother in the living room.
“I’m trying to protect these boys.”
“By keeping them from their mother?” She laughed sarcastically. “Wow. You are delusional. Some protector you are!”
Taking a step closer to her mother as the pain continued to pelt against her heart, Courtney shook her head and spoke softly. “No. I am keeping them away from drugs and abuse. We both know Drake and what he has done, and we both know they’re on meth.”
“You don’t know that. You haven’t even spoken to Taylor since you called the cops on her!”
“I didn’t call the cops, Mom. She brought them with her.”
Another knock sounded on the door. Peering past her mother at the door, her heart knew it was Brian. Thankfulness washed over her.
“I’m leaving.”
Going over to the door, Rhonda pushed by Brian and left but stopped and came back a second later.
“Your days of playing house are over, missy!”
As soon as her mother was gone, Courtney fell into Brian’s arms and wept into his shoulder. He didn’t speak but instead just held her close as she cried. He smoothed his hand over her hair and rubbed her back lightly. His touch and his presence helped ease the pain the day was already catapulting into Courtney’s heart.
“Thank you for coming.” Courtney dabbed her eyes with the palm of her hands as she released from holding Brian.
“I’m sorry you have to go through all of this. I can’t imagine the heartache that is transpiring inside you right now.”
“It’s okay.” Her eyes shifted toward the hallway and the boys’ room. “There’s a reason for it.”
After Susan arrived a short while later that morning, Courtney and Brian headed to the courthouse. They were early, so they walked a few blocks down from the courthouse and grabbed a coffee.
Sitting down at a table with Brian near a window, she sipped on her caramel latte and looked around nervously, wondering if she’d see her sister or mother nearby.
Reaching a hand over, Brian touched the top of her hand.
“Hey. It’s going to be okay.”
“You don’t know that, Brian. I could lose today. Then what? Then the boys go with her and . . .” Choking up on her words, she paused. “I can’t imagine not having them with me and they being with her. The drugs, the abuse.”
“You have to trust God. I know it’s hard right now, and it’ll be hard if things don’t work out, but at least you’ll know you tried. You stood up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.”
“Trying doesn’t save lives, Brian.”
“No, but God doesn’t rely on our strength. He only relies on Himself. He just needs us to show up sometimes and be a voice for those who cannot speak. Be His mouthpiece with our concern and our care for those who are weak and who are small. ”
“I know.”
Slipping her phone out from her purse, she saw it was time to start walking back to the courthouse. Her throat tightened and her breathing became shallow. Fear was keeping every muscle tense in her entire body. Brian must’ve sensed it because in the next moment, he stood and grabbed her hand, pulling her into his embrace.
“We’re going to get through this, no matter what.”
Holding onto him, she let out a relieved sigh as more tears fell. Thank You for him, God, she prayed.
Walking with Brian back to the courthouse, Courtney tried to focus on her surroundings and stay grounded within the confines of reality. Seeing a bird fly overhead, she kept her eyes on it as it landed on a snow-covered branch in the courtyard of the courthouse buildings. The bird reminded her of a Scripture she had memorized shortly after the passing of her late husband, Drew.
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6:26-27
Her pulse settled a fraction and she felt the warmth and love of God wash over her. Stopping near the tree, she turned to Brian and smiled.
“God is holding me right now.” Her eyes went to the steps leading into the courthouse. “I can feel Him.”
He smiled and nodded. “He does that. Just keep breathing and you’ll get through this.”
He took her hand and they walked together up the steps into the courthouse.
Once inside, they found the courtroom and met with the CPS representative who was handling their case. They sat with him outside of the courtroom doors on a bench. His name was Donny Hinland. He reassured her and Brian that Taylor wouldn’t be taking the boys, but ultimately, that decision would be up to the judge. As they were discussing, her mother and sister arrived and went into the courtroom.
“Okay. Let’s get in there.” Donny opened the door of the courtroom. Courtney and Brian walked toward the door, but Donny stopped Brian. “Family only.”
Courtney hugged him for a long moment. “I’ll be okay.”
“I know you will be. I’ll be right out here, praying for you.”
“Thank you.”
Turning, Courtney went inside the courtroom. Passing wood benches that reminded her of pews from her old church, she followed Donny to a small desk with a microphone and a pitcher of water sitting on top of it. Her sister, Taylor, was on the opposite side of the room with a desk and microphone as well. Taylor had her makeup done and was wearing a dress. By all appearances, she seemed like a perfectly fine person without a drug or abuse issue. Her mother, Rhonda, was sitting in one of the benches behind Taylor.
The judge wasn’t in the room.
“All rise.” The court bailiff’s voice boomed across the room, commanding everyone to stand. As Courtney stood, she peered up at the ceiling and prayed. God, I leave this all in Your hands. I’m scared, but I trust You.
With his hands folded and deep in prayer, Brian prayed over the proceedings unfolding behind
the closed door of the courtroom. Forty minutes after Courtney had left to go inside, a distraught and tear-filled Taylor came storming out of the courtroom doors, followed by her mother.
Standing up, Brian watched as the two of them stormed away and down the hallway. His eyes watered and his heart ached as he sat back down and prayed for Taylor and Rhonda. He knew this most likely meant that Courtney would indeed keep the boys, but he also knew the hurt that was in their two hearts in that moment. Praying, he asked God to ease their suffering. God, please reveal Yourself to Taylor and Rhonda through this. I know Courtney has no desire to keep the children away from their mother, merely a desire to keep the boys safe. Praise You, Lord, for the boys staying safe. Please ease Taylor and Rhonda’s heartache on this day, and may they be drawn to the truth and reality before them. I lift my heart up to You with thankfulness for Your deliverance of these children away from harm and into love.
Fifteen minutes later, Courtney and Donny emerged from the courtroom doors. Teary-eyed and relieved, Courtney fell into his arms.
“I can’t believe I doubted for a second.” She let out a relieved sigh as she started to cry. “God is so good.”
“Amen. What’d the judge say?”
“That I have guardianship permanently, but Taylor can dissolve it if she proves to the courts that she has somewhere for the boys to stay and shows that her life is stable and together. I told the judge I’d personally dissolve it if she proves to be stable.”
Donny added. “Aside from being in rehab, admitting to drug use in the last thirty days, and the hospital records of abuse by her current boyfriend, the biggest problem for her was the fact that she had no real place of her own to keep the boys. Her boyfriend lives in a shared apartment and has no dedicated room for the boys to stay in, and Rhonda’s house is only a studio in Blackfoot.” He shrugged. “If she gets her life in order, she can get them back.”
Brian nodded. “Which is great if she does.”
Courtney smiled. “Yes. I just want to protect them.”
Walking together out to the car, Brian opened the passenger-side door for her. As she climbed in, he could see a different woman from the one he had encountered that morning. She seemed more relaxed. Rounding the car, he got in and they headed back to her apartment.