Gib was not a charity case. He was her brother, a child loved and cared for to the best of her ability. “And the court agrees to this without my say so?”
“The law guardian wants to avoid foster care, or worse yet, institutionalization. Let’s be honest, Alexis. You haven’t had any success keeping Gib out of trouble and it’s not looking good for you right now on the neglect petition, either, not with ten previous investigations.”
“Unfounded.”
“By mitigating circumstances, and still able to be considered in this petition. The DSS lawyer plans to demonstrate a pattern of neglect. He has a good case against you.”
Alexis wiped away fresh tears. How unfair.
“I can show Gib’s culpability in most of the fires he set, how you’ve been diligent to keep the house free of matches, and explain he steals them from the convenient store down the road—verified by the probation violation charges.”
Her voice cracked as she struggled against the tears. “He’ll steal, run away, and set fires no matter where he lives.”
“The counselor says he sets fires because he’s angry at you.”
“Why?”
“You’re alive and your parents aren’t, according to the report I read.”
“Something I can’t change.”
“You can’t keep Gib safe, Alexis. You’ll have to let him go.”
God, where are you?
“How can Ethan Jacobs waltz into town and take Gib away?”
“Apparently he’s observed Gib with the law guardian on two separate occasions before coming to Jasper Falls.”
“Without my knowledge?”
“This is a fight you won’t win Alexis. I recommend you accept Jan Mackendrick’s plea deal.”
“Which is?”
“Admission of guilt from Gib on the petit larceny, continued probation for twelve months, custody with Department of Social Services, and physical placement with Mr. Jacobs.”
“Doesn’t he have to be cleared by a home study like I was when I came to take care of Gib after my parents died?”
“Already done.”
“Behind my back again. So he gets Gib and I’ll never see my brother again?”
Alexis heard the impatient tapping of a pencil over Don’s cell.
“No. I’ll request a condition that Mr. Jacobs may not remove Gib from Jasper Falls. You’ll be allowed supervised visitation on his premises, one day a week.”
“And you think I should agree to this?”
“The alternative is not what you want, either. This is the lesser of two evils, Alexis.”
“If I don’t agree, I could be found guilty of child neglect?”
“Perhaps worse. I’ve seen Judge Richards render lengthy orders of protection in similar cases. If found guilty, it’s possible you wouldn’t be able to see Gib until he’s at least eighteen, possibly longer, given his disability.”
“I hate this. I never wanted to be rich … until now. Everyone thinks Ethan Jacobs’s money can keep Gib out of trouble. Look at all the famous people with messed up kids. Gib’s clever. He’ll find a way to circumvent his environment no matter where he lives or who his guardian is.”
“I know, Alexis. I had an autistic son, too.”
“Had?”
“He became a drug statistic two years ago.”
“Oh, Don. I had no idea. I’m so sorry.”
“You see why I recommend this deal?”
“Okay. I don’t have to like it, do I?”
“No.”
“What do I tell Gib?”
“Nothing, right now. We’re meeting with Jan MacKendrick Wednesday morning. What arrangements did you make for Gib’s care during the holiday break?”
“He’ll be at the Gideon Foundation during the day while I’m working. My friend Jasmine will take care of him Wednesday night. I promised him he could still go to the benefit. I don’t know how all this is going to affect him. When would he move in with Ethan?”
“Are you on a first name basis with Mr. Jacobs?” Don’s tone sounded strained, perhaps coated with jealousy. “Are the rumor mills true? Have you two been dating?”
“Mr. Jacobs treated me, my friend, and Gib to a dinner in Albany. He said he wanted to meet Gib, and I didn’t see the harm. How was I supposed to know his ulterior motive? We did have one date at Taberg Tower. However, we have decided not to pursue a relationship at this time.”
“We or you?”
“Me.”
His sigh deep, as if wounded. “If it’s brought up, I’ll try to dismiss it as irrelevant since the petition is dated before you allegedly met Mr. Jacobs. I’ll meet you and Gib at Jan’s office at 10:00 Wednesday.”
Alexis disconnected.
She wanted to hate Ethan Jacobs. God, I asked for someone to love Gib as I do. You send me a publicity-starved egomaniac who’ll use Gib to garner the love of the masses. True, Ethan would provide every need imaginable for Gib. However, all the cowboy boots and Stetson hats in the world did not constitute love.
Chapter Ten
No Kyle or Tom on this trip. At least the warden had agreed to let him see Nancy in a private room for twenty minutes as long as a corrections officer was present.
Ethan wasn’t sure this woman was the same Nancy Morgan he had dated so long ago. The years had been unkind to her or maybe it was the drugs that caused her raspy voice. They saw each other a few times during his senior year and he had only dated her because his friends said she’d do anything for a few bucks. The rumors proved true.
Though her letter surprised him, her pregnancy and his paternity were not beyond the realm of possibility. What he didn’t understand was why she’d waited until after the Jennings’s accident to tell him about Gib. Maybe he’d get some answers today.
“Hello, Nancy.”
“Somebody pinch me. Ethan Jacobs has come to call. Never expected I’d see the Prince himself. I told your private detective everything he needed to know to prove you was Gib’s father.”
“I came to see if there was anything you needed. I’m sorry you dealt with all this by yourself. I thought you should know that, in all probability, Gib will come live with me. Why did you wait until last year to tell me about him? If you’d told me sooner—”
“You think more highly of yourself than you should, Ethan. Don’t you remember the way it was? I was a junkie and you were drunk a quarter of the time and stealing things. What kind of life could we have offered a kid? Besides, by the time I found out I was pregnant, you had left Jasper Falls and nobody knew where you were.”
“I didn’t tell anybody where I was going because I wasn’t sure myself. After I came to Nashville, I wanted to leave the old life behind.”
Nancy’s shrill laugh pained him more than fingernails on a chalkboard. “You didn’t though, not really. From what I hear, your demons followed you your whole life until recently. Maybe there’s hope for me.”
“There’s always hope. Who knew it’d take a kid to shake me up enough to finally seek help. With rehab and faith, I’m changed.”
She folded her hands together. “I’m happy for you, Ethan. I’ve been through rehab, twice. Wasn’t any help. After the last hospitalization, I was stupid. Got involved in an armed robbery. I’ll be in the slammer a long time.”
“I wish there was something I could do for you.”
“Making sure Gib’s okay will be enough.”
Nancy glanced toward the ceiling, and Ethan sensed her pain. “I might be a junkie, but I believe in God. Everybody told me I should get an abortion. I prayed for another way.”
“I’ve met, Gib. He’s a neat kid. I’m glad you didn’t go through with one.”
“A month later, Reverend and Mrs. Jennings moved to Jasper Falls to start the Community
Church. I called him up for advice. He offered to adopt the baby and arrange for me to see the kid once in a while.” Nancy offered a smile as if she took pride in her child.
“When he asked who the father was, I lied. I said I’d slept around so there was no telling.”
“You mean, I was the only one? I thought—”
“I know the rumors. Truth was, I only slept with one guy at a time. So, while we was together, you was it.”
“I’m sorry, Nancy. Sorry I listened to the rumors and didn’t respect you more.”
“All in the past now. What’s done is done. Pastor Jennings paid for my doctor bills and I signed the adoption papers.”
Guilt pierced him. In some ways, Nancy had been far more righteous in her sacrifice than he tried to be now. “The Jennings were good people from what I know of them.”
“Last time I saw Gib, he was ten and seemed happy, so I knew I’d made the right decision. When I heard about their accident, I was worried what might happen to him.”
“I’m glad you finally told me.”
“I heard how successful you were. I figured if your drinking hadn’t messed up your career, maybe you could help Gib. Never figured you’d go the distance and take him in. Kid’s got real problems. Sure you can handle it?”
“I won’t know unless I try.”
Nancy nodded agreement. “Like me, Gib’s had a lot of people try to help him who couldn’t. I don’t want to see him end up a jailbird like his mother. The only ones who made a difference were Reverend and Mrs. Jennings. Why did God take those nice people and leave Gib alone?”
“Gib’s not alone. Alexis loves him. And I’ll do everything I can for him.”
“Long as you and Alexis don’t end up fighting each other. Can’t help Gib if you’re throwing stones at one another.”
“Sounds to me like you have a lot of love for him too, Nancy.”
“I do … why I gave him up. Sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest. Don’t go and mess the kid up more, Ethan.”
Chapter Eleven
Alexis hugged the bed a few extra minutes. Morning brightness filled her room. How could the sun shine when her heart ached? She rose from bed and glanced out the window. Patches of green still dotted the ground underneath the frost. She hadn’t made a snowman with Gib yet this year because his behavior was so outrageous he’d been a prisoner in his own home. Maybe with Ethan, Gib wouldn’t have to have locks on every door.
She’d planned to sign him up for Little League this year, a chance to enjoy the outdoors with supervised activity. She’d talked to the association president and explained Gib’s circumstances. Though technically too old, he thought that given Gib’s smaller physical stature, the board might vote for an exception.
If only she had more time, Gib might straighten out. Everyone agreed that he was still grieving. No one could guess how much longer the process would take for him, nor if his emotions would become more charged. Gib’s inability to express his inner feelings had to make processing the loss ten times more difficult. It seemed taking him away from his home would only add more layers of grief.
From her early days at her father’s knee, he’d taught her to put the impossible into the hands of the omnipotent God. Helpless to fight a government machine, what else could she do?
She woke Gib, gave him his morning meds, and listened to his songs as he showered. How sad to stunt his exuberance with pills so he could focus enough to put on his clothes.
Gib wanted to wear his cowboy outfit but Alexis wasn’t sure how the court would perceive his wardrobe choices. Would the judge rule against her ability to supervise basic functions like getting dressed? Then again, why couldn’t Gib wear clothes that held meaning for him? She had tried to explain the concept of court decorum. A compromise was reached and Gib agreed to leave the hat at home as long as he could wear the boots and didn’t have to wear a coat, arguing he didn’t need one just to go from the house to the car to an office.
A logical thought she didn’t have time to debate.
Don greeted them with a handshake when they arrived. “Gib, do you know why you’re here today?”
His eyes widened. “I’m in more trouble because I borrowed stuff from the store?”
“What stuff?”
“Comics, candy bars, and matches. Am I going to jail?”
“Not jail. You could be sent to a special place, though, for boys who steal. We hope not. We’re going to see if we can find a way for you to pay the store back. It’s called restitution. You’ll have to see a probation officer once a week, take drug tests, see your counselors, and maybe help with cleaning duties at the Gideon Foundation.”
Gib scowled. “I can’t remember all that.”
“We’ll help you,” Jan said.
“Okay.”
Don crossed his legs. “There’s something else, Gib. Judge Richards may decide you can’t live with Alexis anymore.”
Gib punched the chair. “So? She doesn’t want me.”
Alexis had kept quiet, allowing Gib the chance to process Don’s warnings. This accusation stung. “Not true. I love you. What makes you think I don’t want you with me?”
“You said you’d rather be in Los Angeles with Jasmine.”
“Also not true. I like Jasper Falls.”
“I heard you and Jasmine talking. You said if things had been different, you’d rather be in Los Angeles.”
“When?”
“At the funeral.”
She remembered saying something to that effect, but certainly not in that context. “You understand, Gib. I hated to leave Los Angeles because our parents died. Not because I had to take care of you. I chose to. I need you to believe me.”
“Maybe.”
“Miss MacKendrick doesn’t think I take good care of you. She wants you to live with someone else.”
“Who?”
“Ethan Jacobs.”
“Why?”
“Ethan wants to help you. He has a big house. He’ll have horses, and you can finally get a dog like you always wanted. You’ll have people living with you to help you make better choices so you don’t get into trouble.”
“Do I have to live with Ethan?”
“I thought you liked Ethan?”
“I do. Will you live there, too?”
“No, Gib. I can visit, though.”
Gib sobbed, and in uncharacteristic affection, threw his arms around her. “I don’t want to live with Ethan. I want to stay with you.”
Don looked at Jan MacKendrick then back at Alexis. “Gib, we need you to try.”
Gib pouted and said nothing.
“Alexis, you and Gib wait in the lobby for a minute while Jan and I talk the plan through one more time.”
His hands balled, Gib’s sighs turned into moans as soon as they returned to the lobby. Kicking over the coffee table, he screamed, “Nobody’s going to tell me what to do anymore!” Before Alexis could grab him, Gib was out the door and out of view.
Chapter Twelve
Alexis parked the car in her driveway. Should she wait at the house as Kyle suggested, in case Gib came home, or join the search? She checked the weather report on her cell phone. Twenty degrees and dropping to five below overnight. Gib had no coat. She now wished she had let him wear his Stetson hat like he’d wanted. A hat would at least have kept him a little warm. Her cell buzzed. Jasmine … not Kyle with good news as she hoped.
“Girl, no arguments. I’m on my way over.” She disconnected before Alexis could rebut. Their editor in Los Angeles would have expected both of them to return to work and let the police do their job. There was something to be said about a small town where locals looked out for one another. “Buck said for us to take all the time we needed.”
Over the years, she and Jasmine
had taken turns holding each other’s hands and praying through crisis upon crisis. Alexis was there for Jasmine when her sister took her last breath, another casualty of Sickle-cell Anemia. Alexis wondered what she would have done without Jasmine’s presence and counsel since coming to Jasper Falls.
When she arrived, Alexis fell into her friend’s embrace. Jasmine stroked her hair with all the love of a mother. “Ssh, girl. It’ll be fine. You’ll see. God’s got it!”
“I’m scared, Jasmine. The last few times Gib’s bolted, they found him in the quarry, asleep behind a big boulder. Kyle’s checked every place Gib’s hidden before. Nothing.”
“Gib knows enough to get out of the cold. Maybe he found a barn to hide in. They’ll find him.”
They fell into silence; best friends didn’t need to say everything aloud. Jasmine put water on to boil, steeped Alexis’s favorite tea, and put the cup in front of her. “Drink it. No arguments.”
“Should I call Ethan?”
“What for? Between Kyle and the law guardian, he’s apt to know more than you.”
“I should call Buck and beg off on the Mayor’s Dinner. There are plenty of more important people than me who can present the award to Ethan. I’d rather not. Things are weird enough between us. I’m keeping civil for Gib’s sake, but I won’t lie to you. It’s an act.”
“I’ll handle the Mayor’s Dinner if you want.”
The cell rang. Alexis checked the number. “It’s Ethan. Should I answer it? I don’t think I can talk to him. Who does he think he is waltzing into our lives like he owns Jasper Falls? What does he think he’ll gain by getting custody of Gib? Maybe he wants to make Gib the poster child for his fund raising efforts with Gideon Foundation Network.”
“Alexis .. you’re rambling. Answer the phone.”
“Ethan?”
“Alexis, I’m at rehearsal. Any word on Gib yet? Anything I can do?”
“I don’t think so. You’re the reason he ran off.”
“Me? I haven’t seen Gib since Sunday. And I’ve been at rehearsal last night and all morning.”
A Christmas Prayer: An Autistic Child, a Father's Love, a Woman's Heart (Christmas Romance) Page 7