Misinterpreting Fate (Book 2)

36. Court

Chapter 36: Court

Sam

Walking into the courtroom, I noticed how few people were actually there. I saw a couple fancy dressed people talking to each other near the front of the room, by what I assumed was the judge's stand. The rows of seats were basically empty, although Sarah and Regal sat in the front row off to the left side of the room, Sarah glaring daggers at us as soon as we walked in.

Dad had his hand on my back as we followed Poppa to the front row on the opposite side of the room from them. I tried not to focus my attention on my mother, but I kept feeling her glare digging a hole into me. I couldn't understand why she suddenly hated me. It couldn't just be because I'm gay, right? She seemed to tolerate Dad, even though he married Poppa. So why couldn't she also at least try to tolerate me, too?

One of the fancy dressed people walked over to us. He shook both Dad's and Poppa's hands before shaking mine, introducing himself to me as my parents attorney, Larry Borden. He was the one they've been meeting with over the last couple of months, trying to get everything settled.

"I just happened to notice the look Sarah's been giving you three since you walked in," Mr. Borden said. "Is there any particular reason why, that you know of?"

Poppa smirked. "She's just jealous that I got to marry Allen instead of her because she decided to run off and act all crazy."

"No," I spoke up. "It's because I'm gay."

All three of them looked at me. Poppa and Dad tried to tell me it wasn't true, but I cut them off.

"She used to call me her baby and stuff like that all the time. Then she walked in on me kissing Ryan. If she's even tried talking to me since then, it's nothing but insults."

The attorney nodded his head. "Okay, good. Well, not good that she's doing that to you. This might help our case a bit, since you are her son too, correct?"

"Yes, but she has no legal rights to him," Dad answered.

The judge suddenly slammed his gavel down on the podium a couple times, making me jump. "Court is now in order," he stated. "Attorney Mills, you have the floor for your opening statement."

Another one of the fancy dressed people approached the front of the room. She held a strong power about her, even though she was probably only five feet tall. Honestly, if she was the one defending Sarah, I already felt like we might not have a chance.

"Your honor," she started. "I'm here today in the defense of Sarah Kline. Her daughter, Regal Kline, rightfully belongs to her, not two men who think they deserve to take a woman's daughter away from her." She pointed to Sarah. "This woman, your honor, has devoted each day for her daughter since the girl was born. As a single parent, there were some hardships, of course, but nothing Sarah couldn't handle. Sarah has a stable income, a good home for Regal. The girl never has to want for anything because she has the love of her mother keeping her going."

The woman then crossed the room to stand in front of us. "These men have no relation to Regal Kline. Prior to a few months ago, neither of them had met the child. What gives them the right to demand custody of a child they don't know, taking her from the only family she has?"

The judge nodded. "Thank you, Attorney Mills. Attorney Boren, you have the floor for your opening statement."

He stood, taking the place the woman had just been standing. "Your honor," he began. "I'm here today in the defense of Allen and Mika Carr-Simmons, and their son, Sam." I hadn't expected him to mention me, and I could feel the judge looking at me. "Sarah Kline is the biological mother of Sam, making Regal Kline his half-sister. As of recently, Sarah had been completely absent from her son's life, going as far as making his fathers believe she was dead rather than giving any support to her son. The Carr-Simmons believe that if Sarah is unable and unwilling to be a part of her son's life, then how can she be a suitable parent for Regal?"

The two attorneys went back and forth with each other for the next hour or so. Mills seemed to only have the fact that Regal is Sarah's daughter to base all her arguments in. Borden, on the other hand, seemed to have more solid arguments, which Mills struggled to skillfully debate. For all her power and stature, Mills had nothing on us, other than the fact that Dad and Poppa weren't related to Regal.

"Your honor," Mr. Borden said. "My clients have agreed to setting up visitation rights for Sarah to still be a part of both her children's lives." I glanced at me parents, surprised - I hadn't known about that - but they weren't paying attention to me as Borden continued to speak. "This will ensure a safe and secure living environment for Regal, as well as the continued opportunity for her to get to know her mother."

"What?" Sarah screeched, jumping to her feet. "No! I'm not going to work around their lives for the sake of my daughter!"

"Order!" the judge yelled, slamming his gavel again. "Miss Kline, please remain quiet."

She pouted. "All I'm saying is that those faggots have no place raising my daughter."

"Ma'am," Borden spoke up. "May I ask? Are you aware that your son, Sam, is also gay?"

"That's why I don't want them anywhere near my daughter! They ruined him just like they'll ruin Regal!"

Poppa put his arm around me and I leaned into his side. At least I had him and Dad who still loved me. I knew, even when I first met her a couple months ago, that I would probably never love her the way a kid should love his mother, but this just proves it.

"Sam?" Borden called. I looked up, confused. "Would you mind coming up here a moment? I have a few questions to ask you."

Disclaimer: Anything that happens in the court room is very, very loosely based on whatever really goes on in a court room. I have absolutely no knowledge of this kind of stuff, so just role with it. Thanks :)