Homebound

Chapter 17

         "I'm a great lawyer," John smirks as he hands the court order over to Robert.

         "And humble, too." Robert smiles boyishly as he takes the papers and peruses it.

         "Aren't you going to ask how I managed to get the judge to sign it?" John wonders.

         "Nah, I have to get going."

         "Robert!"

        "Fine; tell me how you managed to get the judge to sign the paper."

        " I told her a story of an emotionally wrecked young man who is under the care of a benevolent family. They were really starting to be like a family when suddenly the boy becomes rebellious. He wouldn't listen to his foster parents and would is insubordinate. This caused his foster parents much heartache. The only way to cure the family of this dark spell is to give the teen closure. How will he find closure? By discovering the truth of his past;who is his biological parents. The first step to that is his birth certificate. Alas! He is not over eighteen years old! So, I pleaded for the judge to let his foster parent retrieve the certificate, so the lad can truly be happy. The judge was moved by this tale and signed the order with tears streaming down her face."

          "Wow; beautiful story."

        "And it couldn't have happened if it wasn't for my narrating." Robert rolls his eyes but begrudgingly agreed. John could persuade anyone to do his will; he only needed to open his mouth.

     "Ok; oh wise one. What's the next step?"

     "You'll have to order the certificate from a vital records office. Luckily for you I have the address." John shuffles through papers before finding a slip with the location. "Here you go."

        "You need to clean up your desk."

       "You want to do it for me? Now I would love to chat some more, but I have to head out. I've got a dinner date with some big-shot lawyer." John pretends to puke.

        "I've got the night shift at work today." Robert and John walk out of the office, planning to meet up next Sunday for some baseball practice.

        "I'll see you soon. Call me and give me updates on Asher." John says.

        "Will do. Thanks, by the way." Robert smiles graciously.

        "No problem! Anything for my buddy." John grins and pulls Robert into a hug. "This is nice."

        "Don't get too used to this." 

                                                                                         ⟳

         "Asher, come here! I'm filling out the form up!"

        "I'm coming!"

       "You said that two minutes ago!" Asher's footsteps are heard coming from the kitchen.

       "I was deciding what to eat for a snack." He holds a bag of pretzels. 

       "You just ate lunch."

       "Your point?"

       "You have to make healthier choices. You're going to get fat."

       "I would say 'like you', but you're ripped. I want a six pack." Ashers whines as he munches on his pretzels.