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Mollie had pulled me aside this morning and told me exactly where to park. It was a garage with spots big enough for my truck. I didn’t want her help, but I appreciated it nonetheless. Nashville was stressful enough without the issue of parking. I had to walk to the lawyer’s office, and the nerves only grew as I got closer.
The building was too fancy, and I felt out of place. But the receptionist was nice, and I didn’t have to wait for long.
“Cain Smith?” the lawyer, a man by the name of Morgan, called.
“That’s me.”
He gestured for me to follow him, and we walked to a small office with a simple desk and chairs. Behind him, he had pictures of his family all over the walls. I sat across from him, and my leg wouldn’t sit still.
“So, tell me about Eric.”
“H-have you read what I sent in?”
“I have. But I want to hear it from you.” He gave me a smile, and I wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing.
“It started over three years ago, when I got a call from the state,” I began. “Eric was in foster care after my sister died.”
“Right. You didn’t know her very well.”
“We were separated when we were young.”
“So, why did you take Eric?”
“I was a foster kid myself and I bounced around homes until I landed in Strawberry Springs. The whole time, I wondered ifthere was ever someone related to me who could step up. It never happened for me, but when I got the chance to do that for Eric ... I couldn’t say no.”
“And how did taking him in go?”
“Rough, at first. I’d never been around a kid, but I bought books and whatever he needed. We had to figure it out, but I did whatever I could.”
“How’s it going now?”
“Fantastic. But at this moment? I’m terrified. I love Eric. I planned to ...” I trailed off. “Well, it doesn’t matter what I planned now, does it? I just need to keep him.”
Morgan hummed. “He’s only been in school for a semester, but his grades are slightly below average.”
“He’s behind, but he’s working hard.”
“I know. I see here that he’s picking up reading faster than most. This is the sort of information we need.”
“For fighting this?”
He nodded. “If we can prove that Eric would be better off with you, then you might get away with only giving this man visitation rights, or depending on how bad his lawyer is, nothing at all.”
“He was in a suit when he came to the house to get Eric.”
“He visited you unprovoked?” At my nod, he added, “Interesting. If Eric is happy with you, and is willing to tell a judge that, then we have a case. But it’ll need to be airtight, especially if you get Judge Marlon.”
“Who’s that?”
“He’s strict. And he wants families to be together.Biologicalfamilies.”
I let out a breath of air. “Even when they weren’t around for five years?”
“Yes. Even then. You’ll also need character letters from any friends you have. Ones that see how you are with Eric.”
“Friends?”
“Friends, neighbors, anyone you know. The more the better.”