Princess & the Player

twenty-two and a half: the space between

Maggie's POV:

I went through all my things and gathered up my money. I hadn't ended up touching my last pay packet but I'd burned through a lot of the cash Jacob had given me. Dang. Condoms and diners hadn't been cheap.

In the bottom of my backpack, I also found some of the previous paycheck from Hobie that I'd forgotten. Score. Plus I still had some of the emergency money I'd squirreled away when I'd left home.

I checked the Greyhound schedule. There was a bus that ran early in the mornings that would get me home through a connection in New York City.  $161. I had that, easily.

It was a killer trip: About 30 hours including two transfers. Worth it. 

The next morning, I called the social worker, Mrs Lopez, again. This time she answered.

"There isn't much I can tell you, Maggie. Your mother has privacy rights. You aren't a minor in her care any more."

"Mrs. Lopez, please. You're investigating mom, right? What if your investigation goes wrong and you take away Jeb and Laurie? Like you said, I'm 18 now."

"You need to be 21 to be a foster parent."

"What? WHAT?! No. Mrs. Lopez, there's GOT to be a way."

"If it comes to that, we may be able to get a waiver based on kinship and the need to keep you and your siblings together."

"OK, then do that. Can you do that?"

"Maggie, there's no standing to do that at the moment."

"Can't we do it ahead of time?"

She sighed. 

"Mrs. Lopez, what if I came home now? I'm just staying with my grandmother. I could come back and move in with mom and help take care of the kids."

"That would have to be a conversation you have with your mother, Maggie."

I wanted to bang my head against the wall in frustration. "Mrs. Lopez, please. I'm begging you. Jeb and Laurie are my world."

I could hear her clicking a keyboard and making rustling noises. "You would be willing to help with both the children? With your mother or as a kinship placement?"

"Of course. Yes."

"All right, I've noted that in the file. When we go to court on Thursday, I will include that information for the judge. He tends to want to give families chances to get healthy from where they are so this may be something."

"Can you call me and let me know?"

"You know this all depends ultimately on what your mother decides."

"I know, Mrs. Lopez. Believe me. I just want to help."

"All right. I'll call you Thursday after court."

"Thank you! Thank you SO much!"

She was as good as her word. Mrs. Lopez actually conference-called me from the courthouse with my mother in the room. She said the judge was willing to give mom 30 days to 'stabilize' the home situation. She had to go for drug and alcohol testing and a weekend parenting class. 

Was I willing to move back in and help?

Duh.

Was my mom willing to let me?

There was a pause on the other end and finally I heard Mom's voice say "Yes."

I began packing.