In a single file line, we followed the judge back to his chambers, which was his own private office. He closed the door and went to sit behind his desk as we stayed standing. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins both stayed on either side of me, while both lawyers stood more in the front.
"What is it?" The judge asked.
"My clients have a more personal concern regarding Jake." Mr. Pickens took the lead. "You see, we've been informed that Jake may be unable to participate in his school's baseball tournament since the state is threatening to remove him from the Atkins' household."
"Threatening?" Mr. Roberts snarled. "We aren't threatening. We're doing our jobs."
"And your job is to take away a fun pastime that Jake likes to partake in?" Mr. Pickens rebuked.
"Do the Atkins only want Jake so he can play baseball with their sons and help them win games?" Mr. Roberts asked. Without letting anyone answer, he turned to the judge. "Your honor, Jake is an outstanding baseball player and it's not unbelievable that the Atkins only want him to stay for the duration of the baseball tournament."
"Yes, that's why they've already started the formal adoption process." Mr. Pickens said sarcastically.
Mr. Roberts shrugged innocently. "Maybe they plan to make a profit off of Jake and his skills in the sport. Their application hasn't been approved. There's a strict process and it's barely begun."
"Okay, enough." The judge declared. He looked behind Mr. Pickens and made eye contact with me. "Let's ask the boy himself. Jake, step forward."
I gulped and looked up at Mr. Atkins for help. He just gave me a small smile.
He looked confident so I should as well. I looked at the judge and took a small step forward. "Y-y-y-yes?"
"Do you like playing baseball, Jake?" The judge asked.
I bit my bottom lip and gave it a thought. "Not by itself." I decided to be honest. "I like the batting cages. Being alone. But, I like playing with the Atkins. There's four of them." I smiled to myself. "Noah likes it when I play with all of them too." I swallowed. "I want to keep playing with them. Tomorrow we have a game and the coach said I might not get to play."
Judge Hill smiled at me, looking like a grandpa. "Then go ahead and play. As long as you're with the Atkins and reside in the school district, I see no reason why you can't." He looked up to Mr. Pickens. "I'll write a formal letter for you to take to the concerning parties. As long as Jake isn't being forced against his will, I don't see why he can't play."
"How about for safety concerns?" Mr. Roberts suggested. "Jake is in the headlines now. Many reporters are trying to reach him to ask about his brother and their relationship."
"And why exactly is he in the headlines?" Mr. Pickens asked. "You, the state, weren't able to protect his information. You have a history of letting Jake down. Let the Atkins have a chance to care for him." He looked at the judge. "The only reason we're here today is because the state wants to lay blame with someone else. I'm here to state that the Atkins sincerely have Jake's best interest at heart. They love him. Them and their sons. I brought plenty of statements from his therapist, teachers, and caseworker on how much he's improved since moving in with the Atkins."
"Alright, alright. This isn't a custody battle in here." Judge Hill waved his hand. He looked at Mr. Roberts. "The state has done a disservice to this young man. Don't try pointing fingers in my chambers. I suggest you tell your department to stay in line." He squinted. "And I don't want this to appear on their adoption application, that you tried to remove him from the home. Especially because it was groundless. Understand?"
"Understood." Mr. Roberts looked defeated.
"Good." He looked at me. "Jake, I wish you all the best." He looked at Mr. Pickens. "I'll have my clerk type something for you to give, just stick around until lunch."
"Yes, sir." Mr. Pickens nodded.
With that, we were dismissed. We went back through the courtroom and then the hallway that led us there.
I sighed with relief.
"See? That wasn't so bad." Mr. Atkins patted the top of my head.
I tried to crack a smile. I still remember him saying that this was an informal hearing. I can't imagine what a formal one would feel like. I hope to never experience one.
"Wayne, Mary, George." Mr. Roberts called out from behind us. I shied away from the man. "Sorry about that Jake."
I froze. I looked up at him, but still kept a distance.
"I think you've done enough so your bosses will see that you tried." Mr. Pickens surprisingly said in a kind tone. He almost sounded like he was friends with the man. "Try to convince them that Jake is good with the Atkins. I can assure you that this is the best option for him."
Mr. Roberts sighed. "I'll do what I can. This worked in your favor though. Hopefully, I won't have to see you four any time soon." He nodded and waved before walking away.
"Roberts is a good man." Mr. Pickens said, noticing my confusion. "In the courtroom, he does his job well. Outside of it, he's an even better person. He's not intentionally picking on you. Just doing his job."
I gave another weak smile. Sure. Everyone had just been 'doing their job'. But why does it feel like their job is to attack my sense of security?
"Jake!" Dr. Moore joined us in the hallway. "How was it? How are you feeling?"
I shrugged. "Fine. Okay. I get to keep playing baseball."
"Only if Coach and Drew give you the green light." Mrs. Atkins rushed to say. "Your arm is still healing."
I glanced down at my covered arm. "So I won't practice today?"
"You can watch." She checked her watch. "You can still make it to half of your classes and then go to practice with the boys afterwards."
Go to class? It made me feel uneasy. "Do I...do I have to go to class?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Do you not want to?" She wasn't the only one looking down at me. Her husband and Dr. Moore were also focused on my response.
I shifted from foot to foot. "It's not the class that I'm avoiding...but the kids. My classmates. The whole school. Everyone knows that Jeremy's related to me."
Mr. Atkins nodded. "Yes, but it'll be okay. Just tell them that it's a private matter. Most of them will get the hint to leave it alone. If they don't, you can go find a teacher or Zeke."
"I just don't want them staring at me..." Knowing. Knowing that my brother didn't want me. Wouldn't I be a laughingstock? Who gets disowned by a brother? But then again...who almost gets killed by their own mother?
"Sometimes you have to face your fears and discomforts head on." Dr. Moore stated. "You don't get nervous when you play baseball, right? The stands are usually full. What do you do with all their eyes on you?"
"I still get nervous." I blinked. "But then, I forget. I forget that they're there. Unless they get really loud."
"Do that." Dr. Moore told me. "Tune them out. What they say is irrelevant. Their stares can't hurt you. Just distract yourself like when baseball distracts you from the fans. Focus on your class work. Focus on eating a snack or your lunch. Focus on your conversation with Noah or something else."
I nodded obediently.