Sophomore Year || Parenthood Series, Book One || WATTYS 2018

Chapter Four

       
SOUNDTRACK: 'Be Impressive' by The Griswolds

Sure enough, on Friday, Sam faxed Jared several pages of paperwork for the case to continue in San Diego. The other side had indeed filed a petition with the court to force him to resign his rights to Katherine on the grounds that he hadn't been in her life. Sam assured him that no judge would rule in their favor, regardless of the situation and that they were just trying to scare him. Still, they had a court date for the following Wednesday to continue the process.

Jared's mind switched on an almost daily basis. He would run through the pros and cons of the situation repeatedly, but there was never a definitive answer. He threw himself into his work, hoping that somehow he could just avoid it altogether if he didn't give it time. Unfortunately, his childish logic didn't last long and he couldn't keep the thoughts at bay. He made a trip to New York City and spoke at a conference before coming back home to prepare for the tour with Tomo.

He had made his mother and brother promise to keep the case a secret until he was ready to discuss it. He didn't want to get people involved because it meant more people he'd have to explain things to if he didn't end up staying in the kid's life. His friends remarked on hos his personality had changed a little, but he made up excuses that seemed to satisfy their curiosity. Shayla was the only person he kept in the loop because he needed her to take notes of the dates while the hearings went on.

She was sitting next to him as Shannon drove them all down to San Diego. Connie was keeping up a running conversation in the passenger seat, having a hard time containing her nerves. Jared was staring at his phone in an attempt to distract himself. He would have flown but he was hoping the drive would help clear his head. The trip to San Diego was not helpful and they arrived at the courthouse a while later. There were no photographers waiting as they walked inside and Jared was pleased to see that Sam's injunction had worked.

They found Sam in the hallway after passing through security. He greeted each of them with a polite handshake. "Hello," he said with a smile. "Brought the whole family I see."

Jared nodded. "I didn't really have a choice," he said in annoyance. "What's the process here?" he asked with a sigh.

"Well, our time is in fifteen minutes," Sam started. "We will go through the formalities and then I guess go from there."

Jared took a deep breath and tried to center himself as Connie and Robin went to the restroom. Shayla stood loyally by his side. He looked at her.

"Tell me what to do," he said. She gave him a confused look. "I need your infinite wisdom."

She snorted. "I'm not exactly an expert here. I'm just your assistant."

"But you're closer to this girl's age than anyone else here," he explained. "What would you want me to do?"

She thought. "It depends on whether or not she wants to get to know you. If she doesn't, I don't see why you'd want to force it on her."

He nodded, though her opinion really didn't make his decision easier. The hallway was teeming with other people rushing to and fro. At the end of the corridor, a baby started crying, reminding Jared of the part that he was glad to have missed in his child's life.

"Alright Jared," Sam said. "Let's go."

Jared followed the lawyer into the courtroom and sat next to him at a table in front of the witness stand. A stenographer was seated in front of the judge's podium, but other than that the room was empty. Shayla and Shannon sat directly behind them, leaving space for Robin and Connie on the bench. A second later, the opposing side came walking into the room. Shannon nudged Jared from behind and nodded towards them. Jared shrugged. They sat down at the opposite table and immediately fell into intense conversation.