Chapter Thirty #2
Rebecca opened the meeting without wasting time. “This is a case conference regarding interim kinship placement for Savannah Fernsby pending temporary guardianship review. We’re here to confirm current care, immediate safeguarding, and the recommendation being put before the court officer today.”
Tanner’s fingers tightened once on the folder in front of him. Miles saw it, but kept his own hands flat on the table.
Rebecca went through the basics first. Home assessment completed.
Child observed in the home with adequate food, appropriate sleeping arrangements, clothing, and age-appropriate items. Medical registration completed.
Preschool contact underway with documentation submitted.
No immediate safeguarding concerns identified within the home environment.
Tanner blinked once at that last part, as if he hadn’t let himself believe she might actually say it out loud.
The lawyer asked him a short list of direct questions.
Name. Age. Relationship to Savannah. Length of current care.
Employment position. Support network. Tanner answered every one, voice tight but steady.
The support network question nearly caught him because his eyes flicked around the room as if he still wasn’t sure what counted.
Rebecca answered part of that for him. “Mr. Fernsby is not functioning in isolation. Sheriff Redding has assisted with procedural access and referrals. Mr. Owens is present as daily support. There are additional local adults willing to provide practical and character references.”
The court admin woman made a note and then TJ was asked to speak. He kept it clear and professional.
“I know Tanner through the town and through recent contact connected to this process. My role here is not personal preference. It’s credibility.
He engaged when asked. He attended every meeting.
He provided documents. He followed through on medical registration and home requirements within the timeline given.
From a procedural standpoint, he has done what he was told needed doing, and he has done it fast.”
That mattered. Miles could tell by the way the lawyer nodded and the admin woman stopped writing just long enough to actually look at Tanner before starting again.
Mrs. Hemsworth was next. “I supervised transport routes in this town for years,” she said.
“I have known Tanner since he was little.” Her eyes went to the woman from court admin, then Rebecca, then the lawyer in turn.
“He raised her. That is the plain version. He made sure she was fed, clean, collected, comforted, and where she needed to be long before anyone in this room put a label on it. If your concern is whether he understands responsibility, you’re late to the answer. ”
Tanner looked down at the table and Miles could see the blush covering his cheeks.
Cody spoke after that. “He’s building stability.
That’s the part I think matters now. Not just what he did before.
What he’s doing now. He lets people in when it’s useful for Savannah, even when it’s obviously hard for him.
He follows through and he doesn’t quit when that would be the easier option for him. ”
Orsen added, “I’ve been to the house. It’s safe, it’s looked after, and he’s looking after Savannah. He puts her needs before his own.”
The lawyer asked a few more questions after that, mostly to Rebecca. Was there any basis to recommend removal? No. Any current evidence of neglect within the home? No. Was kinship placement with Tanner the department’s recommendation pending review? Yes, with conditions.
Conditions. Tanner went still again at that word.
The court admin woman read them out one by one.
Temporary kinship placement to remain with Tanner Fernsby.
Continued cooperation with child services.
Completion of preschool enrollment. Attendance at the scheduled follow-up date in six weeks.
Any significant change in housing, income, or child welfare to be reported.
Standard enough that Miles barely registered them.
Tanner heard every word as if each one had weight.
Then the woman looked down at the page in front of her and said, “Based on the information provided and the department recommendation, interim kinship placement is confirmed pending temporary guardianship review. Savannah remains in Mr. Fernsby’s care.”
Savannah, who had spent most of the meeting on a chair with her rabbit and a coloring pad Cody had given her, asked in a loud whisper, “We done?”
The lawyer gave the smallest smile. “Almost.”
Miles looked at Tanner, who was staring at the table.
Miles watched the words reach him in stages.
Remains in care. Confirmed. Not today. Not taken.
Not moved. His hand was flat on the table and Miles put his own beside it, not touching at first. Tanner turned his hand over and gripped his fingers hard enough to hurt.
The rest of the meeting wrapped fast after that. Dates confirmed. Copies handed over. Follow-up explained. Rebecca spoke directly to Tanner before they stood.
“You did what was asked of you.”
Tanner looked at her. “Yeah.”
“You keep doing it.”
Tanner nodded.
Outside the building, the others drifted a little way ahead to give them room. TJ took a call near the steps. Mrs. Hemsworth was talking to Cody and Orsen had Savannah on his hip.
Tanner stopped on the pavement and just stood there with the papers in his hand.
Miles stayed beside him, giving him the time he needed, and after a minute Tanner said, “I thought I’d feel different.”
Miles looked at him. “You do. It just hasn’t caught up yet.”
Tanner gave a breath that might have been half a laugh. “Maybe.”
Miles nodded toward the papers. “It’s real.”
Tanner looked down at them, then over at Savannah in Orsen’s arms, then back at the building behind them before finally looking at Miles. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “I think it is.”
Miles held his gaze for a second and kept his own voice level. “Good. Then we go home, and when the next meeting comes, we walk into that one stronger.”
Tanner looked at him then nodded. “Let’s go home.”