by A. T Brennan
Ready? I asked when Rhys looked up at the building and let out a shaky breath. I'd waited until he looked back at me. and I could see the fear in his eyes.
As I'll ever be. Thanks for coming.
Of course. I rubbed his shoulder and smiled in what I hoped was a soothing way. I'm glad I can be here with you.
I love you. No matter what happens in there, if I get her back or not. I love you.
I love you too.
Okay. Let's do this.
Rhys took my hand, and the three of us walked up the steps and over to the security guard to get passes and go through the metal detectors.
We made it through security and sat in a little area outside one of the courtrooms. We were early, but it wasn't long before I saw Violet, flanked by an older couple and three men in suits.
Violet broke away from the group around her and raced toward Rhys, who stood with his arms open. Seeing her literally run into his arms with tears streaming down both of their faces almost set me off too.
I glanced between Rhys and Violet and who I assumed were his parents as they stopped about ten feet away. The looks on their faces were not pleased. In fact, his father looked disgusted. Their eyes fell on me, and I gulped. I'd never felt such disapproval in a single look before.
I missed you so much. Violet signed when Rhys pulled away to wipe his eyes.
I missed you too, kiddo.
“Violet, come here.”
I thought it was strange that her grandfather would call her back. Violet had complete hearing loss and didn't wear hearing aids. It was impossible for her to hear him. It wasn't until I saw he was looking at Rhys and not Violet that I remembered what he'd told me about them and how they treated her disability. He wasn't calling Violet; he was telling Rhys to let her go.
I love you, V. I'll see you in there.
Violet nodded and let out a heavy sigh before turning back to her grandparents. She may have raced to Rhys, but she trudged back to them. Her body language screamed how unhappy she was.
“Just keep your head in the game.” Galen stepped in front of Rhys and put his hands on Rhys's shoulders in comfort. “I'm going to do everything in my power to get her back to you. Okay?”
Rhys gripped my hand and nodded. “Okay.”
I could almost feel his parents glaring at us and chanced a look over my shoulder. Yup. If looks could kill, Rhys and I would have dropped dead right then and there.
“Don't pay attention to them.” Rhys squeezed my hand and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “I stopped caring about their opinions a long time ago.”
“I'll try, but they're kind of intimidating.” I shifted so my back was to them.
“They're ignorant, hateful bigots.” Rhys's eyes flashed with anger. Something he rarely showed.
“And you're free of them,” I said softly, hoping to help calm him.
“You're right.” Rhys smiled, the anger fading from his eyes.
Galen opened his mouth like he was going to say something when the doors to the courtroom opened and a man in uniform called out their family name and court docket number.
We made our way into the room, and Galen and Rhys went to sit at one of the desks, and I slid into the bench behind them.
On the other side of the room, Rhys's parents and all three of their lawyers sat behind the table, and Violet sat in a chair a bit behind and to the side of them. There was a woman standing next to the court reporter wearing a badge that said she was a interpreter. She must be there for Violet, which would help me because I had no idea what the acoustics were like in this room.
After we were all settled, a man in a suit called for us to stand and opened a door on the far side of the room. He announced the judge, and an older woman came into the courtroom, telling us to sit as she took her seat.
“Good morning. This hearing is for the guardianship of the minor child V.G.M. Will both parties please identify yourselves for the record?”
It was easy to understand the judge since she had a clear and confident voice, but it was nearly impossible for me to hear Galen and the other attorneys, so I kept my eyes on the interpreter.
Galen had told us a guardianship wasn't like a normal hearing we'd see on TV. There were no witnesses in this one, and the judge would ask both sides questions before making a decision. It could be over in as little as a few minutes.
After the introductions, the judge asked both sides why they were there and repeated a few facts of the original ruling for the record. When all the preliminaries were done, she looked at Rhys.
“Mr. Montgomery. Why do you want guardianship of your niece, and why did you wait until now to appeal the decision?”
“Your honor. I waited because I was afraid. My parents violated my trust and used my sexuality against me, and on top of that, I'd just lost my sister and lost all family support. I asked a few lawyers about the case, but it wasn't until I met Mr. Wells that I thought I had a chance of fighting it.”
“And why do you feel better suited to take care of her? She's been with your parents for three years, and they have the means to support her.”
“Your honor, I'd like to submit my client's financial records to prove his financial capabilities in this matter.” Galen spoke up.
“You may.”
Galen brought a folder up to the bench, and we all sat silently as she flipped through it.
“Other than your financial resources, why do you feel you can offer her a better environment?” the judge asked when she looked up from the file.
“Your honor, my niece was born deaf. My sister and myself are the only other people in the family who learned sign language. The house I'd bought and set up for us was fitted with assisted living devices specifically for someone with hearing loss, and I'd planned on keeping her enrolled in a school for the deaf. I feel my parents haven't accommodated her disability, and it's hurting her.
“Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery. Do you know how to sign?”
“No, your honor.”
I couldn't hear the words his parents said, so I kept my eye on the interpreter.
“And is it true you don't have any assisted living devices in your home and that the minor in question doesn't attend a program for the deaf?”
After his parents validated Rhys's claims, she looked at Violet.
“Do you like living with your grandparents?” she asked.
“I love my grandparents, but no. I don't like living with them.” Violet's voice was muffled, and without the interpreter I never would have been able to understand her.
“Do you want to live with your uncle?”
“Yes, more than anything.”
“Why?”
“Because he gets me. He can talk to me, help me understand things. He wants me to learn to live in the world but still be independent and acknowledge my disability. My mom wanted me to live with him. That was her wish, and I want that too.”
The judge nodded and looked at Rhys.
“What provisions are you willing to make if I grant you guardianship?”
“I plan to buy us a house near the school for the deaf again, get her back into the program when she's ready for it. I'm going to put the devices in again and make sure she's able to have some freedom while still feeling safe.”
“Your records show you're a bartender. What kind of hours do you work?”
“I do shifts, your honor.”
“When would those typically be?”
“Usually five days a week. We open at ten in the morning and close at one a.m. The night shift is out of there by two.”
“Do you really feel that's a good schedule for a teenager to live with? You'll be away when she's home more often than not, won't you?”
“If my schedule is a problem, I can quit. I work because I want to, not because I have to.”
My mind started racing. Just how much money did Rhys have that he didn't have to work?
“Your honor, I also have a partner.” Rhys glanced at Galen who nodded. “My boyfrie
nd. He works from home, and he'll be spending time with us. He'll be home when I'm not if I continue to work. I want that to be out in the open.”
“Do you live together?”
“Not at the moment. It's still a little soon for that. But I hope we will in the future.”
“Can you state his name for the record?”
“Caleb Mitchell.”
“Is he here?”
“Yes, your honor.”
“Mr. Mitchell, please identify yourself.”
I fought back the panic that flared up in my chest and stood.
“Have you met Mr. Mitchell?” The judge turned and looked at Violet.
“I have.”
“What did you think of him?”
“He's really nice, and I'm happy to see my uncle with someone so great. He also gets me.”
“What do you mean?”
“He's hearing impaired too. He still has some hearing, but he signs and knows what it's like to be deaf in a hearing world.”
The judge nodded, and I took that as my cue to sit as she looked at Rhys's parents. “And why do you feel she's better off with you?”
“Your honor. Our son lives a deviant lifestyle. Exposing our granddaughter to that kind of evil isn't something we can morally allow. Now he's talking about bringing a man, another pervert, around our granddaughter? That's unacceptable.”
My hands clenched at Rhys's father's words. His voice boomed through the courtroom, and I sure as hell didn't need anyone to interpret his hatred.
“We're trying to teach her how to live in this world as it is. She attends private school, has access to the best tutors. She lives in a safe area, and we can provide her with everything she could ever want or need. The only thing my son can offer is exposing her to depravity and leading her down a dark path.”
The judge nodded and looked at Violet. “How do you feel about your uncle being gay?”
“I don't care. I know that sounds bad, but I don't mean it that way. I mean I literally don't care because I love him and want him to be happy. He likes men. That's cool. It's not an issue, if you know what I mean?”
“I understand.” The judge smiled kindly and looked between the tables. “After hearing both sides, I've come to a decision. In the case of Montgomery vs. Montgomery, in the matter of guardianship for the minor child V.G.M., I'm ruling in favor of Mr. Rhys Montgomery.”
I had to hold back a whoop of joy as the judge kept talking.
“I see no reason why the original wishes of the mother weren't upheld. Sexuality doesn't determine parenting ability, not in my courtroom. Mr. Montgomery has her best interests in mind, and I'm sure will do everything he can to help her become a successful adult.”
“I will, your honor.” Rhys nodded enthusiastically when the judge paused and looked at him.
“Then this case is adjourned.”
The judge actually banged a gavel on the desk, I thought that was only something they did on TV, and the guy in the suit, the bailiff, announced that she was leaving and for us to stand.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Violet and Rhys rushed to each other, and Rhys scooped her up in a hug as she clung to him. They were both laughing and crying, and I thought I might burst from happiness watching them.
After a few more hugs and some insanely fast signing, Rhys waved me over.
Violet rushed at me when I was still about a foot away and caught me around the middle in a huge hug. Surprised, and pleased, I hugged her back as Rhys and Galen shook hands.
When all the hugging was over and the excitement died down, Galen nodded for us to follow him. The guardianship might have been returned to Rhys, but there was still paperwork to file and arrangements to be made. Because there was no abuse or neglect, Violet would go back to her grandparents until everything was settled. Then she would move in with Rhys.
Rhys offered to buy Galen lunch, but he declined, saying he had to get back to work. I'd taken another personal day, so Rhys and I went to a diner to grab some sandwiches and coffee. Well, coffee for Rhys. I stuck to soda.
“I can't believe it,” Rhys said for the dozenth time, beaming with elation. “It's done. Galen did it.”
“I seem to recall you doing all of the talking. I think you did it, babe.”
“I'm so glad that judge was LGBT friendly. Galen told me she was, but I was so scared that telling her about you would be the reason I was denied.”
“Why did you tell her? You could have kept it a secret.”
“I spent so many years hiding who I am I refuse to do it again. I wanted to be open and honest because I'm never going to hide you or how I feel. You'll be a part of her life too. And the last thing I wanted to do was give my parents any more ammunition.”
“You think they would have tried to come after you again?” I asked, taking a sip of my soda.
“I wouldn't put it past them. If they proved I lied or at least omitted that you're in my life, they'd probably use it the same as they did when they found out I was going to the clubs. They called us both depraved, evil perverts. Their hatred really knows no bounds. Besides, I'm proud to be with you. I couldn't deny you. Ever.”
Rhys reached for my hand, and I smiled as he squeezed it gently.
“I love you.” I couldn't help telling him again. How this wonderful, caring, and beautiful man could have chosen me was still a mystery, but I was utterly grateful he had.
“I love you too.”
Just then our food arrived, and the topic changed to Rhys's moving. He wanted to get settled into a house right away so there wouldn't be much transition for Violet. She'd have to move into the apartment until he could buy a new place in the right area, but he was eager to get started on it and on fitting it with assisted living devices.
I loved seeing him so excited, but since I knew nothing about real estate or how to buy or sell a house, I didn't have much to offer to the conversation outside of telling him about the different devices I'd researched before putting in my own.
Eventually the conversation turned to me and my medication. I hadn't had another seizure since the ones that had put me in the hospital, and Dr. Howard had already started weaning me off the benzos.
“How are you feeling today?” Rhys asked as the waitress topped up his coffee and brought me another soda. We'd been sitting at our table for well over two hours, but no one seemed to mind considering how the place was only about half-full.
“Better. Less shaky.”
I'd been having mild withdrawal symptoms over the past week. Dr. Howard had warned me about them, but this was a prime example of why I didn't want to go on the meds in the first place.
“How about the joint pain?”
“It's not bad today. I'm more stiff than anything.”
“I'm sorry I didn't ask earlier. I've been so focused on this hearing-”
“It's fine. Of course you were focused on it. I'm okay, really. It should pass in another week. I can deal with it until then.
“I'm worried about you having another seizure.” He sipped his coffee, his eyes searching my face to read my reaction.
Dr. Howard had told me that coming off the meds could trigger another tonic-clonic seizure, and if it did, I'd have to go a different route and most likely have to stick to benzos for the foreseeable future. Drop seizures were also a possibility, but those I just had to record for his records. Nothing had happened yet, but I still had a few weeks before I was completely weaned off the meds and back on my old ones.
“Honestly, so am I. I keep waiting for it to happen, even though it's not guaranteed.”
“Have you looked any further into getting a service dog?”
“I checked out the organizations the social worker gave me, but I don't qualify for any of the programs they have.” I took a sip of my soda before stirring the straw around in it, watching the ice cubes as they swirled and bumped around in the glass. “I make too much money for most of them. I'm not a veteran or a child, so that cuts out another bunch. I don't thi
nk I'll be able to find one, so I'll have to buy my own.”
“I was doing some research on them, and they have two types. Seizure-response or -alert dogs and seizure-predicting dogs. Is there one that does both?”
“There's a lot of debate over whether or not predicting dogs actually can predict seizures. Some dogs seem to have a sixth sense about them once they get to know their owner, but I personally don't believe you can buy one that's trained for that.”
“So you're looking at a response or alert dog?”
“Ideally. Response dogs are a little harder to train since they do more than just alert people to the seizure and bring help. But either one would be better than nothing.”
“What about breeds? Are there specific ones that can do this?”
“Not that I've read. I think it has a lot to do with the organization and your preference, but they use all sorts of breeds.”
“I know they have service dogs for people with hearing loss. Can you get one trained in both?”
“You can, but I don't qualify. I'm just above the requirements for hearing loss, so I'm considered hearing impaired, not deaf.”
Rhys toyed with the edge of his cup and bit his lip. “I also read it can take up to two years after you start the process.”
“Outside of the cost, that's another huge thing to consider.”
“I still can't believe they cost thirty thousand dollars.”
“I know, but if you factor in the time and all the specialized stuff they have to do, it kind of makes sense. Some are closer to twenty thousand; it all depends on how much it can do.”
“Seems like a huge barrier for people who don't have that kind of equity.”
“It is. A lot of programs out there will accept anyone, no matter what your income is. But they have so many applicants and only so many dogs to give out. There are a few I've applied to every year since I was eighteen, and I've never been chosen.”
“Damn.”