NaNoWriMo 2014

Chapter Six

"This man's sentence shall be carried out tomorrow at eleven-thirty precisely. This court is now over." said Judge Lerwhite as he gathered up his papers and walked back down the podium and out the door at the back of the room.

After these words the benches began emptying quickly as people got up and made their way back up the isle to the elevators. I still hadn't composed myself yet and was not ready to leave. My father's sentence should have made me happy, I mean, he killed my mother right? And didn't he shove me around all my life? Why should I feel any sadness for his death when he obviously felt no remorse for my mother's? But he was still my father I suppose, and the only one of my parents still left alive.

Amanda patted my arm, "Are you ready to go yet Ralim?" she asked me softly, "They're about to close up here."

I nodded and began to get up out of my seat but was interrupted by a pair of men in dark suits who stood in front of me in the center of the isle.

"You two are to come with us, the Judge wishes to have a word with you." one of them said. His words had a commanding tone to them and I felt it would be a bad idea to refuse him.

Amanda stood as well and began to follow the man who had spoken, the other stayed standing where he was until I began to trail after them as well then he walked behind me.

We were led up past the Judges stand where the court reporter was still gathering together her things and into the Judge's quarters. Inside the Judge was seated at a large honey colored wooden desk. He appeared to be deep in thought when we arrived but he waved the two guards away and said "I'll be just a moment."

I took a better look at my surroundings while I waited, the whole room it seemed, was made of wood; rich, burnished, sealed planks that had been carved with patterns and designs of a most intricate nature. The ceiling was of old brass work, it too shone in the light with a beautiful deep golden hue.

The Judge looked up now and laying his papers aside in a drawer turned to face the two of us sitting there. I had no idea what was coming next.

"Amanda," he began, "if you don't mind me asking, you do not have any children of your own, is that correct?"

"Yes, I have no children." answered Amanda with an enlightened look on her face as if she knew where this was going.

"Ralim, I am truly sorry about your mother, it is a terrible tragedy that someone of your age should never have to go through. If there's any way I can help, please, don't be afraid to contact me." he said his face honest. "I am faced with a problem, Ralim. With my sentencing your father you are being left without anywhere to live, I have been considering whether to send you to a boarding school on another planet or assign you to a caretaker to raise you here."

At this I gasped, go to a different planet, live with a stranger? I didn't want to go anywhere, I wanted to stay here and live with Amanda and I said so.

"Well you see, Ralim..." began Judge Lerwhite before he was cut off.

"I would love to become Ralim's caretaker until he is older." said Amanda quickly, "I have no objections as long as you don't, Your Honor."

"That was what I was hoping you'd say Amanda," Judge Lerwhite said with a smile, "I'm not a fan of sending young children out to live with people that they and I don't know. It would make me more comfortable to know that you were taking care of him and obviously Ralim feels the same."

I was going to be allowed to stay with Amanda in her house! I didn't have to be sent away to strangers. It was nice to know that I would be living with someone I liked rather than finding out when I got there.

When I looked back up again Judge Lerwhite was sliding a sheaf of papers across to Amanda saying "You'll need to sign these papers giving you custody over Ralim. I've had them all prepared as I was sure you'd want to."

Amanda didn't even bother reading them she just signed her name with a flourish and handed them back over to the Judge.

"Of course, Ralim, you'll still need to be enrolled in a school but you will be able to do all the coursework from your vBoard at home instead of being there in the building." said the Judge, "And when you're older, I'd like to offer you the chance to work here, in the courthouse."

Work here? In this big building? That'd be fun I was sure."Yes sir," I said, "thank you."

"You're welcome, son," the Judge said with a grin, "have a very good day."

"Yes, thank you, Judge," said Amanda, "you don't know how much this means to me."

"No, thank you Amanda, I didn't feel right about letting a young boy like Ralim be flown somewhere where I couldn't be sure of his well-being. At least with him close by with you I will know that he is being cared for." responded the Judge gratefully.

"Okay Ralim, let's go home." Amanda fairly shouted with a smile.

Home, my new home with Amanda. "Race you to the doors!" I yelled and dashed off giggling before she could respond.