Page 181 of Halo

“You’re shaking the table.”

I plant both feet on the floor.

Then the clerk calls Grady’s name.

Everything inside me tightens.

David stands, and this time I’m already moving with him.

The judge looks down at the file in front of her, turns a page, then looks directly at me.

“Dr. Crawford?”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“I understand Grady has remained in your care under the temporary placement order.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Her eyes stay on mine.

“And how is he doing?”

For the first time since I walked into this room, I don’t have to think about the answer.

“He’s doing good.”

The judge makes a note on the file in front of her. “And he’s adjusted well to the placement?”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“He’s attending school consistently?”

“Every day.”

She glances toward the caseworker. “And there have been no concerns during the home visits?”

“No, Your Honor. The home is appropriate, and Grady appears comfortable and well bonded with Dr. Crawford.”

Well bonded feels like a strange way to describe a kid who crawls into my bed at five in the morning because he wants to know whether sharks existed before Saturn had rings, but I’ll take it.

The judge asks about my work schedule next, who takes care of Grady when I’m at the hospital, whether I have reliable childcare, and how I plan to manage his appointments. Nothing David didn’t prepare me for, but my palms still sweat through every answer because I know there’s more riding on them than whether I sound competent.

Eventually, she turns back to the papers in front of her.

“I also have a sworn affidavit submitted in support of continued placement.”

I glance at David.

He doesn’t look at me.

That motherfucker knows something.

The judge adjusts her glasses. “This is from Leah Harrison.”

My head turns so fast toward David that he finally looks over.

“When did she—”