Today was the day. Her decision was made a few days prior on her 13th birthday. Grace Cunningham was ready. She has been told all her life that the decision was hers but she knew it wasn't. The decision itself maybe but the variables weren't. At thirteen she could choose who she wanted to live with, giving a valid reason of course.
The first variable is which parent she likes more and why. Her mom has been there all her life but lied to her, didn't trust her, wasn't there emotionally and mentally, prevented her from growing spiritually, and had two other kids who she sometimes seemed to favor. Her dad on the other hand is the parent she sees for three weeks max a year, gets on a personal level with her, helps her grow spiritually because he is a leader at his church, and focuses on all three of the kids equally. The only downside with dad is he has to work two jobs to help pay for them while her step-mom works three. So sometimes he gets a little busy but it's at least contract work so it comes and goes.
Her dad would be ecstatic to have her live with him in Colorado but her mom would be heart broken in California. At the same time her dad misses the little things whereas her mom doesn't seem to really care.
Next she had to decide what to do with her patients. She was a peer counselor which is kinda like a kid who acts as a therapist. She has about 60 patients. She can't just abandon them. She could exchange contact info and just talk or even assign another counselor to them but it's really hard for them and her to let go. Over the phone or Skype isn't the same as face to face. It's also worrying considering she has already lost four to suicide.
The third variable was her siblings. How would they feel? Would they care? She thought not but her older sister is pregnant and she wants to be there for her and the baby. Her oldest brother lived on his own and her other two siblings told her they hated her to her face at least once a day. But she needed them just to know they're okay.
After that was school and Cadet Corps. She leaves she loses her school which is the best in her city and Cadet Corps is only in California. She loses two of her favorite activities and her friends in those activities. She's moved seven times already and had to start over so many times. It would be okay because she has some friends in Colorado but not many.
Another thing is Job's Daughters. She would lose all membership and association with it until she had a job and car. Work. Another issue was work. She would probably have to get a job or do some chores in the neighborhood to pay for her living there. Five jobs is barely enough for plane tickets and a three weeks stay. Plus they are in the middle of remodeling their house. She didn't mind the work so much but that's just less family time.
The final factor was her mindset. In her mind the decision was selfish and not moral. Today she has to show up and explain it to the court. She walks in wearing a dark purple blouse tucked into her grey pencil skirt with black heels breaking the silence with every step. Her hair was in a tight bun and she had makeup on, looking very mature for thirteen. She had a black bag hung from her shoulder and after approaching the desk she removed it. She pulled out her written request with the date and reasoning. She also pulled out a locket which she strung around her neck. A good luck charm from her grandmother, God rest her soul. She also had her lawyer by her, her uncle who agreed to fly from South Carolina to fight for her if things got hairy. Five minutes later her mother and stepfather walk in wearing a suit and a pantsuit. They looked very similar in their outfits and her siblings were with her aunt down the hill.
"All rise." a voice calls. Everyone in the room stands. The judge walks up and sits behind his podium. He gives one rap of the gavel signaling to sit down. The whole process if swearing in and getting the lawyer situation figured out was taken care of relatively quickly. She was on her toes the whole time.
Next the judge asks a few questions which are answered promptly on both sides. Any evidence needed was taken and given to the judge who reviewed it and moved on with the case. "Who do you want to live with?" the judge asked. The big question. The one Grace spent hours pondering to herself and thinking about.
After a minute of silence she answers, "I... I want to live with my father your honor." She was nervous. Her mother shoots her a nasty glare and is filled with rage. In her eyes she saw her mother's fear.
"I object!" she nearly shouts. After collecting herself she says, "Their father is an abusive man who I will not allow to have my kids until I see proof that his uncontrollable anger is taken care of." A tear rolls down her cheek and drops off the bottom of her jaw.
"If I may your honor?" I ask. The judge nods. "Mother, if he is so abusive and has bad anger management then why do you let me and my siblings stay with him alone in another state for weeks at a time?" Her jaw drops.
"I... I well..." she stutters. She can't think of an answer. She doesn't have one.
"That's enough." the judge says, "I've made my decision."
