"baby, please don't cry"
Candice "Candy Cane" Marshall hasn't seen or talked to any of her friends in a long time. Dallas and Johnny are gone and she's terrified to face the fact that Steve and Sodapop may have met their fates in Vietnam. But when t...
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TW// mention of eating disorder/anorexia
I took a deep breath while gazing at my appearance in the mirror. It was my nicest outfit: a pair of freshly ironed striped pants and a black flowy top. I had my hair in a neat bun and I wore minimal makeup. I wasn't sure how to dress for court, as I'd never really had to go, other than when my mother was finalizing her will right before she passed.
Today was the day. Today was our first and, hopefully, final court appearance to get my siblings away from that mess they were living in New York. I'd worked so hard for this day. I'd gotten a new job, I'd gotten a house, I had my shit together... Hopefully, I had everyone on my side.
"You look nice," Sodapop said as he walked into our bedroom. He was wearing nice pants and a nice shirt and just socks.
"Do I?" He nodded.
"You always do."
"I just don't know what to wear. I'm so nervous about this."
"I think you look fine. Besides, they're not going to be looking at your outfit. They're going to be looking at your records and your ability to take care of two kids."
I nodded. "I know. I just want to look my best. I can always have professionalism on my side, right?"
He grinned at me and pulled me into him. "Are you about ready to go then?"
"Yeah," I said. "I just need to get my shoes on."
"Me too."
We both located our shoes and I grabbed a granola bar out of the cabinet to eat on the way to the courthouse.
Greg, Claire, and our grandparents had been staying in a hotel for the last couple days so Eric and Judith could finalize things with their part of the case. I'd seen my brother and sister the day before when Sodapop and I took them for lunch.
Sodapop and I sat down outside the courtroom on the bench, our papers in hand.
"Now remember," my attorney said. "Only speak when asked to and don't interrupt Eric or Judith, even if they say something you don't want to hear. What you say in a court of law can and will be held against you. Understand?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Thanks, Mr. Chambers."
Sodapop and I sat there for a good few minutes before Greg, Claire, and our grandparents walked in. Judith was looking lost and Eric looked exhausted. Greg and Claire perked up as soon as they saw Soda and I and they ran toward me to hug me.
"Hey, guys." I kissed them both on the top of their heads, even though Greg was nearly as tall as me. "This'll all be over soon," I promised. They both gave me the same reassuring smile.
"Candice Marshall?" came my attorney's voice. "We're ready for you now."
I led everyone else in. Sodapop, Greg, Claire, and I sat on one side of the room while Eric and Judith sat on the other.
