Chapter 27
Knox
Clearing my throat, I’m thankful that my aunt Olivia, who is our family lawyer and hard-ass head coach of the Newhope High School drill team, which has won twelve back-to-back championship medals for precision dance every year, is sitting right beside me.
Aunt Liv is and always has been a badass, and I’m lucky to have her on my team.
I lean forward, speaking clearly and confidently. “Yes, sir.”
“It’s more than a simple presumption, Clarence.
” Aunt Liv manages to sound bored and authoritative at the same time.
“When the infant Miss Allen’s mother died, she specifically designated my client to act as her guardian.
CPA agents delivered her into his arms along with the necessary legal paperwork, and the transaction was done.
What’s happening right now is not only a mishandling of justice, it’s a traumatizing experience for an impressionable infant who does not understand why she’s been separated from the only loving father she’s ever known. ”
I blink at my aunt, wondering if Cricket is really being traumatized. Aunt Liv doesn’t look away from the screen, but she pats me under the table, closing her eyes and giving me the most minute, nearly imperceptible head shake.
“Object to form.” The other lawyer studies his yellow legal pad.
“Seriously, Clarence?”
“We’re not arguing the debatable ramblings of a woman on her deathbed.
We’re establishing the indisputable right of family privilege.
Christine Dawn Allen belongs with her cousin Jada Allen, and that’s all that matters here.
Jada wants to protect the baby and raise her in her family home surrounded by her real family’s history. ”
“Family history is lovely, but it’s not the most important factor here.
” Aunt Liv’s voice doesn’t rise, but I know from being scolded by her as a kid, she’s pissed.
“My client has five times the income of Miss Allen. He has an established, close, familial relationship with the child, and he has a deep respect for the law, as evidenced by the fact that he did not fight law enforcement during the transfer. He allowed the process to take place, knowing that justice would prevail. He does not want to cut the child off from her family. He simply wants to provide her with a full-time, secure, loving home, and he welcomes Jada Allen’s presence in the child’s life. ”
“His behavior was exemplary… especially for a professional athlete, and we know what that stereotype implies.”
“Object to form.” Aunt Liv narrows her eyes at him.
I have no idea what that means, but I kind of want to high-five her.
“I think we’ve accomplished all we can here today,” Clarence says. “We’ll deliver these facts to the judge and let you know how soon we can hear the case.”
“We’d like to set a hearing for two days from now, on Friday, as my client feels that further separation from his daughter will cause undue emotional distress for all parties involved.”
The fellow looks down at his calendar, exhaling heavily. “I’ll see what I can do with the holiday next week. My assistant will be in touch.”
“Thank you.”
The screens go dark, and I’m about to speak when Aunt Liv holds up a finger. I hesitate as she double-checks the computer. She shoves her red hair behind her ears, inspecting the device before lifting her head and giving me a nod.
“We’re all clear. Just didn’t want any live mics on our end.
” She stands, bending down to give me a hug.
“You did good, babe. I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you.
I’m so glad Edward was there to keep you from doing anything rash.
The way you handled that exchange mattered a lot, and I know you boys.
You would’ve made this even more difficult. ”
My chin drops, and I study my hands. “I imagined shoving them all down and making a run for it.” I exhale a laugh. “Uncle Garrett would’ve helped me. He’s the sheriff, after all.”
Her lips purse, and she shakes her head.
“Your uncle Garrett would move Heaven and Earth for every single one of you, but I’m glad you didn’t put him in that situation.
As it stands, we’re starting from the high ground.
You have a much more favorable position, and by not fighting, you come across as a responsible parent.
Not a hothead pro baller, who thinks the world revolves around him. ”
My lips twist, and I look down at my hands. “Are we all done for now?”
Her green eyes soften, and she slides a thumb across my cheek. “Yeah. Do what you need to do, Knoxey.”
“Thanks so much, Aunt Liv.” I stand, giving her one more hug before I dip out of her office.
She’s on the main street downtown, and I jog towards the bay a few blocks away before taking a left and then heading uphill, away from the water to the cute little bungalow that used to be Uncle Zane and Aunt Rachel’s house.
Now it’s Edward’s and his nephew Sage’s place, and I hesitate before tapping on the door.
My youngest cousin Sage opens it, and when he sees me, he surges forward to give me a hug.
“Knox, dang! I’ve been wanting to see you. I’ve been helping Gloria and Sandra at the stables the last two days, and I didn’t know when you’d be finished with that meeting.”
“It’s good to see you, too, bro.” Sage is the only one of us cousins who didn’t go into sports.
He took after his dad, my uncle Zane, in loving the horses down at Second Chance Stables and working with the special-needs kids who take classes there.
It’s how Uncle Zane met Rachel and her young brother Edward, and that’s how they became a part of our family.
“I’m sorry to hear about your baby girl.” Sage blinks earnest gray eyes up at me. “I wish there was something I could do to help you get her back.”
“Thanks, man.” I reach out to squeeze his shoulder, realizing it’s a lot broader and more muscular than when I left for college.
Sage is a man now, but to me, he’s still the soft-spoken, bookish kid like his dad.
“Is your uncle Edward around?”
“Yeah, I think he’s out back. He likes to practice kicking when shit’s on his mind.”
I nod, patting Sage on the back as I pass through the small house to the back porch. A long backyard is behind the place, and a net is stretched between two palm trees.
Edward became a kicker in high school with my brother Austin, and they won the school’s first state championship. The first of many.
I stand on the back porch watching him kick the ball with perfect form, sending a straight spiral directly into what would be uprights if the net didn’t stop it first.
It’s precisely perfect every time, and that’s what made him a first-round draft pick when he graduated college. He never missed.
I wait and watch him set up the ball in the holder, then I suck it up and say what I came to say.
“I’m sorry.” My voice is loud enough to reach him from where I stand, but not loud enough to be aggressive.
Edward punts the ball, and it flies straight and high, precisely where it should land to win the game. Kickers win games all the time, I can hear my dad saying.
He waits for a moment, watching after the pigskin has fallen, gazing at the bay.
“You think I don’t feel things because of my condition, but I do.” His chin drops, and he looks down at the sandy grass under his feet. “It was very difficult to give Cricket to that woman. It was very hard knowing you hated me for it.”
My insides hurt, and I walk down the wooden porch steps, covering the ground between us. “I was so relieved when you showed up to help me after Mom left. I knew I could trust you no matter what.”
He lifts his face, frowning as he meets my eyes. “I’d never let you down, Knox. Your little girl is our family, just like I am.”
Reaching out, I pull him in for the briefest hug—more of a chest bump with a light back pat. It doesn’t push his comfort zone, and it gives me a chance to show my affection.
I step back, crossing my arms. “Man, this whole situation has had me spiraling. I don’t think I’d have made it without your help. I should be thanking you.”
He blinks a few times then nods, giving me a hint of a smile. “You weren’t around babies growing up. They’re very loud and messy. Cricket’s one of the easier ones I’ve seen. A few of your cousins were much worse.”
“Damn, Edward.” I rub a hand over my stomach. “I know you’re my cousin, but you’re also like a big brother to me, like Austin. The worst part of all of this was being mad at you.”
He nods, not making eye contact. “It was hard for me, too. I’m glad you’re not mad at me anymore.”
“Want to throw some passes?” I stand, going to where the ball sits at the bottom of the net. “It looks like I’ve got some catching up to do around here. What’s going on with Austin and Kimmie? Is she taking care of Callie now?”
Edward stands, walking to the other side of the yard, his brow furrowed.
“Kim offered to be Austin’s nanny when he came back from Texas.
We all thought it would be like when Aunt Dylan helped your dad…
but it’s not. I don’t understand why people act the way they do.
It seems like it would be simpler to say what’s on your mind. ”
“Oh, Edward,” I shake my head, throwing a tight spiral into his waiting arms. “Life would be so much simpler if people said what was on their minds.”
“Why don’t they?” He lifts his arm and throws a tight spiral right back at me.
I catch it easily, hesitating as I consider his question, as I think about all of my aunts and uncles, my cousins, Melody and me. “You know… I really don’t know.”
* * *
Knox
The meeting went well. Aunt Liv is a total badass. She put that other lawyer in his place. How’d it go with you guys?
I haven’t talked to Melody since early this morning, before she got on a plane for Little Rock. I half expected she’d text me as soon as they were done, but then I realized when she was finishing up on her end, I was just going into the meeting with Aunt Liv down here.