Chapter 21
Alayah
A Week Later
I nervously sat in the courtroom behind my aunt, uncle, Erica, and Mary Proctor, the DCFS worker assigned to my sisters’ case.
Killian sat next to me on one side, holding my hand for comfort.
On the other side was Ms. Vera. She came to ensure that I didn’t do anything to put myself at risk.
My leg bounced anxiously as we waited for the judge.
Kennedy hadn’t been brought in yet, but it was my understanding that she’d been arrested as soon as she touched down at the airport.
I felt a slight relief when Erica called with the update. Of course, she was livid. She claimed that Adrienne attacked her, and she defended herself. It was just like her to shift the blame to somebody else.
“Are they gonna start soon?” I whispered to Killian.
“They should.”
Just then, the side door opened, and Kennedy was escorted in, chained in handcuffs.
Her eyes landed on us, and the scowl on her face deepened.
She was seated next to her lawyer, and behind her were her boyfriend and surprisingly, Mrs. West. I was confused as to what she was doing here.
The relationship between my mother and Mrs. West’s son ended ten years ago.
Why would she stand beside her along with her new man?
The doors to the judge’s chambers opened, and out walked an older woman who was introduced as Judge Bishop. Everyone stood and waited for her to be seated before reclaiming our seats.
“Court is now in session. It’s my understanding that this is for the emergency removal of Adrienne and Amiyah Chambers from the home they share with their mother, Kennedy Chambers. I see we have representatives from DCFS present. Who do we have here today?”
My mother’s lawyer stood. “Your Honor, I’m Penelope James, representing Kennedy Chambers.”
Erica stood next. “Erica Sawyer, representing Clive and Penny Easton. With me is Mary Proctor, the case manager assigned to Adrienne and Amiyah.”
The judged nodded. “Thank you. Mrs. Sawyer, please present the reasons for this emergency removal request.”
“You Honor, Mrs. Chambers showed up at the Easton residence to claim her daughters who were visiting with their sister and her oldest daughter, who’s seated behind me.”
She motioned to me, and Kennedy sprang to her feet.
“Your Honor, I specifically told her and my children to stay away from each other. I don’t want them around—”
Judge Bishop cut her off. “Ms. James, I implore you to remind your client not to speak until spoken to.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
She guided Kennedy back into her seat, whispering softly to her. The judge motioned for Erica to continue.
“As I was saying, she came to claim her daughters. During that time, Ms. Chambers was very verbally and physically aggressive toward Mr. Easton and her oldest daughter. She slapped both of them and made threats toward her other two children. She forced them to leave with her. Their sister, expressing genuine concern for their well-being, requested a wellness check when she didn’t hear from the girls in over a week.
“An officer was first sent to the school, where it was discovered that neither of them had been in attendance for the entire week. He was told they were at home with COVID. The officer then went to the Chambers family’s residence.
The problem was the disturbing conditions he found them in.
Do I have permission to approach the bench? ”
The judge nodded. Erica picked up an envelope and made her way to the front.
“Exhibit A. These are photos taken by the officer of the bruises on both girls.”
She handed over the photos and made her way back to the table as the judge looked them over. I hadn’t seen the photos, but the look on her face told me they were bad.
“In addition, Ms. Chambers further punished her daughters by removing all personal belongings from their bedroom, leaving them with only a blow-up mattress—no pillows, no blankets. Just the mattress. She took away any device that could be used to call for help should the need arise. She also took the battery out of Adrienne’s car to ensure they wouldn’t leave.
While she left town to go on vacation with her boyfriend, the girls were left with no food.
She scared them to the point where they hadn’t left the house in days.
“My clients are petitioning for temporary custody—at least until both girls are of age. Mrs. Easton is Ms. Chambers’ older sister. Adrienne and Amiyah know and love their aunt and uncle. They are ready and willing to take the girls home today.”
Judge Bishop nodded. “Thank you. Ms. James, does your client wish to respond to these allegations?”
“Yes, Your Honor. My client maintains that she does not abuse her children. The incident in question stems from a highly emotional incident. Ms. Chambers has expressed time and time again that she doesn’t want her daughters around their sister, a convicted felon.
She had every right to be concerned for their safety. ”
Erica stood. “Your Honor, I’ve also represented the eldest Chambers sister in her fight to freedom.
Yes, she was convicted, but the circumstances were extremely sensitive.
She served ten years in prison for the death of the man who molested and raped her for years.
That man happened to be her mother’s boyfriend at the time.
Clearly, she has a history of poor decision making when it comes to her children and their safety. ”
“Rodney never touched her,” Mrs. West yelled.
Judge Bishop banged the gavel. “Order. Ma’am, who are you?”
“Marjorie West. Rodney West was my son. She killed him in cold blood.”
The judge shook her head. “While I sympathize with your loss, Mrs. West, this isn’t about you—”
“You Honor, you can’t let those children live in a house with a murderer. They were in the home when she did it. Do you know how traumatizing that would be?”
I was about to stand when both Ms. Vera and Killian grabbed my hands. Forced to relax in my seat, I took several deep breaths. She wanted to talk about trauma like her son hadn’t scared me for life.
Judge Bishop sighed. “I will address these concerns later. Mrs. West, sit down. One more outburst, and you’ll be the one sitting behind bars. Ms. James, please continue.”
“Thank you, Your Honor. As I was saying, Ms. Chambers and her daughters were both very upset with the circumstances surrounding their visit with their sister. It was made very clear that she didn’t wish them to have any contact.
My client maintains that things got heated at home.
Both she and her daughters exchanged licks, and she feels very bad about that.
She has every right to be concerned about who her children are around, even if it’s their sibling. ”
Erica shook her head. “With all due respect, your honor, Ms. Chambers wasn’t concerned when her eldest daughter tried to tell her what her boyfriend had been doing to her.
She served ten years when she shouldn’t have served a day.
If the woman would protect a rapist, surely, she would lie to protect herself.
According to her daughters, this isn’t the first, second, or even third instance of this occurring.
“She’s just never left bruises to this extent.
Sure, she was upset. I’ll give her that.
However, it doesn’t erase the fact that she bruised them so badly that they had to miss school to avoid circumstances just like this.
It doesn’t excuse the extreme stripping of their possessions and leaving them for days with no food and no way to contact anybody if there was an emergency. That, Your Honor, is abuse and neglect.
“The girls are old enough to speak for themselves. I have here a sworn statement from each of them, detailing things that have gone on in that house.” She picked up the papers and walked them over to the judge.
“They are not safe, Your Honor. They should be with people who love, care for, and respect them.”
Judge Bishop nodded as she looked back to Ms. James. “Do you have anything else, Ms. James? Nothing you produce will make this look any better for your client.”
Ms. James shook her head. “Nothing else, Your Honor.”
Kennedy’s head snapped toward her. “Nothing else? Do something. That’s what you were hired for.
I did not abuse my children. They attacked me, and I defended myself.
Don’t you see what’s happening here? This is nothing but the influence of that murdering bitch.
She will stop at nothing to turn everybody against me and ruin my life. ”
That started Mrs. West up again, too. The courtroom was filled with nothing but yelling and cursing directed toward me.
I sat quietly, squeezing the hell out of Killian’s hand.
I wasn’t afraid, but the anger I felt was enough to have me leaping over the railing that separated us and wrapping my hands around Kennedy’s neck.
Judge Bishop slammed the gavel. “That’s enough. Remove both of these women from my courtroom and lock them up.”
We all watched as the two of them were escorted out, kicking and screaming. Kennedy’s boyfriend shook his head as he left the courtroom, too. Once it was quiet, the judge spoke again.
“Given the severity of the allegations and the evidence presented, I’m inclined to grant the emergency removal. The problem here is the mother’s concern about placement.”
I couldn’t take it anymore. I stood from my seat, against Ms. Vera and Killian’s attempts to make me sit down.
“May I have permission to speak, Your Honor?”
She looked at me for a moment then motioned for me to continue.
“Your Honor, I would never hurt my sisters.
I love them. I helped raise them from the time they were babies until my incarceration.
Yes, I was convicted of manslaughter. I served my time, and I was a model inmate.
My mother intentionally severed the relationship with my sisters.
For ten years, she refused every phone call and every letter I wrote to them.
“When she learned I would be released, she forbid me to try and repair the relationship she severed. Under normal circumstances, I could understand her reasoning, but this isn’t normal.
I take full responsibility in the part I played in ending a man’s life, but I don’t regret it because I finally saved myself from years of abuse that I fully believe my mother knew was happening. I saved my sisters from the same fate.
“I have been on the straight and narrow since I came home on parole, and I am not a danger to my sisters. If it would help bring them home faster, I will leave my aunt and uncle’s home and find somewhere else to live.”
Several gasps went up around the small space. I could hear everyone talking to me, but I kept my gaze locked on the judge.
“You said you’re on parole. That means you’ve been given an approved residence. You’d have to go through the parole board or your parole officer to get a change approved, and this is a time-sensitive matter.”
Ms. Vera stood. “Your Honor, my name is Vera Washington. I’m Ms. Chambers’s appointed parole officer. She’s been a model parolee, and I know how much this means to her. If she can find adequate placement, I will sign off on it.”
“That’s all fine and dandy, Ms. Washington, but—”
“She can stay with me.”
My head snapped in Killian’s direction. He stood from his seat. The judge squinted.
“Is that you, Mr. Lake?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’d like to offer my home to Ms. Chambers. I’ve known her since we were kids. I’m willing to accept responsibility for her. I’ll make sure she stays on the right path. I’ll ensure she gets to and from work and adheres to the terms of her parole.”
“And I’ll check in with her twice a week,” Ms. Vera added. “We are currently on an every-other-week schedule, but I’m willing to amend that if it helps with this process.”
Judge Bishop was quiet for a moment, I guess assessing the option. She scribbled something down, then nodded.
“Given the circumstances, I will agree to releasing Adrienne and Amiyah into the custody of their aunt and uncle following Ms. Chambers’ departure from the home.”
“Thank you, Your Honor,” I said. “May I ask a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Will I be able to see them? My mother has petitioned to have me restrained from seeing my sisters.”
Erica interjected. “Your honor, I filed an emergency motion to dismiss the restraining order yesterday, given the circumstances, and it was accepted.”
That made my heart flutter. She hadn’t told me that piece of information yet. Erica reached into her briefcase and produced a document.
“I also filed a request for visitation on Ms. Chambers’ behalf.”
The bailiff came over to retrieve the paperwork and took it to the judge. Silence ensued as she read over it. I watched as she picked up her pen and scribbled something down.
The judge nodded. “I will allow supervised visits on the weekends. Ms. Chambers, your aunt, uncle, or Mr. Lake need to be present. You can see them today, but you must vacate the home before your curfew.”
It wasn’t what I hoped for, but I would take it. “Thank you.”
She slammed the gavel. “This hearing is adjourned.”
She left the courtroom, and we all filed out in silence. Maybe this wasn’t the turnout we expected, but at least the girls would be with family, and Kennedy would soon get exactly what she deserved.