I was glad Will had the forethought to call his lawyer. He was able to get CPS away from me before they set up arrangements for me to be taken from my “unsafe environment.”
I was relieved when the hospital said I could be released, and the Judge was waiting for me to sign paperwork. Reading over the paperwork, I looked up stunned at Will.
“You paid her to sign over her rights to me,” I asked, both angered and shocked.
He gave me a placating pat and a shrug. “Your father’s will had her receiving a monthly allotment of one thousand two hundred dollars until you reached eighteen. She wasn’t going receive it anymore in three months, but she seemed to be under the impression you would continue living with her and helping her out once the rest of the inheritance was given to you. It’s a small price to pay to ensure you are safe.”
“And Ella,” I mocked. “How much did you pay for her?”
I didn’t know who I was angrier at: Heidi or Will. Ella and I weren’t cattle to be purchased. I wanted us to get away from Heidi, but I didn’t want to be further in debt to the Bells. Connection or no connection.
The Judge took a seat next to me and looked at me directly. He reminded me of a kind grandfather with his grey hair, glasses, and kind blue eyes. After Dad passed away, I remembered going to the park by myself and watching the other kids play. I was the smelly kid with the clothes that were threadbare and didn’t fit. No one wanted to play with me.
Occasionally, there was a kind grandma or grandpa that would come with their grandchildren, and they would encourage their grandkids to play with me. Most of the young parents were afr
aid my smell would wear off on their kids or worried my rat nest hair had lice in it that their kids would catch.
“Hi, Blake. My name is Judge Myer. It’s great to meet you. I’m sorry it wasn’t under better circumstances. Ella was very happy that you guys were being placed in Will’s care. She didn’t even blink an eye when your stepmother started crying and saying she wanted you guys to stay with her. After today’s events, you wouldn’t be able to return to her. She endangered both of you by bringing,” he cleared his throat as if he had a nasty taste in his mouth, “that man into the house. The police also gathered enough illegal substances in the house to have her tangled up for a while. If you’d like, we can turn you over to CPS until you age out of the system, but either way your sister’s guardianship is final until you reach your majority.” He gave me a sympathetic smile. Then he gave Will a severe expression. “I’m sure in your mind you thought you were doing the right thing, but Blake is old enough that you probably should have given her a little respect and let her know all the details of the paperwork instead of blindsiding her. You always were a steamroller,” he said sternly, but with a small smile on his lips; indicating to me that they had known each other for some time. “A decision needs to be made, Blake.” He looked at me expectantly.
He handed me the paperwork and I reluctantly signed it. “I’m not getting separated from Ella, and I’m not going back into the system.”
Will sighed and leaned back, rubbing his eyes. He looked every bit his age in that moment. He looked at me. “I’m sorry I didn’t discuss this with you first; I didn’t think it mattered. Most woman wouldn’t care if money was being thrown at them or for them, for that matter.” He looked over at Judge Myer. “She even fought me when Jemmy offered to get her a new wardrobe, on my dime.”
The Judge chuckled, suddenly looking more relaxed. “So, she’s stubborn like most of her family."
I perked up. “You know my family?” Suddenly, I didn’t care if Will had gone behind my back and paid Heidi off. I could understand why he had thought that it was perfectly fine. The money probably didn’t even phase him; he was so wealthy.
Judge Myer stood up and looked at me sadly. “That’s a story for another time. Right now, my wife has a pot roast waiting for me at home.”
“But—”I started.
“Is Noah nearby?” Judge Myer interrupted me.
“He’s out in the waiting room with the others,” Will said.
Judge Myers nodded, appeased. “I will see you later, Blake.”
I gave Will a dumbfounded look. Judge Myer obviously knew about Noah’s ability to heal. Otherwise, why would he ask about his whereabouts? Was he someone to be trusted with that kind of information?
“He’s gifted,” he affirmed. “We’re everywhere. And no.” He shook his head sadly. “I don’t know what he knows.”
I sighed. The more I learned about my new life, the more questions I had.
The moment I stepped into Mr. Jace’s house I made a beeline for the bedroom I had stayed in the night before after I saw Ella happily playing in the pool with Jemmy. I was happy to see that my trunk was awaiting me at the foot of the bed. I looked through it, disappointed I hadn’t grabbed more of my clothing because the dress I had been wearing was in horrible condition.
There was a soft knock on my door and I went to open it.
Mr. Jace stood there with a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. “Thank you,” I murmured before brushing past him to head to the bathroom.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked gently to my retreating back.
“No,” I said shortly. “Thank you,” I added as an afterthought before closing the door.
I was in the shower for a long time; long enough for me to shampoo, condition, and scrub my body raw. My skin was red, and my fingers were pruned when I finally exited.
There was a knock on the bathroom door; I didn’t answer. I wasn’t done crying and wallowing in my own self-pity and fear.
“Blake,” Noah called. “I would like to have a look at you before your sister sees you. She keeps asking for you, and we’re having a celebratory dinner for her.”