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I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I heard Mara ask, “You’re totally going to tell him, aren’t you?”
But I was too far away to hear Gina’s answer.
* * *
Dominick
The judge took her seat behind the bench, and Vivian was not in the courtroom yet.
I was trying not to be nervous, but if this hearing didn’t go well, I wouldn’t be able to see Spencer in juvie. And right now, he was there all alone. The only person who had visited him was his new lawyer.
A squeak sounded behind me, and I looked over my shoulder to see Vivian sneak in and practically tiptoe to an open seat several rows back. She sat down and gave me two thumbs-up, and I felt a little less nervous.
Elaine stood and gestured for me to follow. “Good morning, Judge St. James. We are here to petition that the custody of Spencer Reyes be granted to Dominick Reyes. His mother is currently in the hospital in a coma, and his father isn’t in the picture…”
I admired the speech my lawyer had put together, but I found myself tuning out, unable to pay attention. I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to my brother if the judge said no.
“Mr. Reyes?” the judge said, and I almost missed it until Elaine looked at me.
“Yes, Your Honor?”
“You have a steady job that will pay for the needs of a teenager?”
“Yes, ma’am. I work full-time as a welder at Unify Manufacturing and part-time as a process server to various firms in Minneapolis.”
Every place I worked was listed for the judge to see, but I hoped she wouldn’t have to go through them all individually.
“And you understand that if I grant you this, it is only temporary? Either Spencer’s mother will resume custody or you will have to refile.”
“Yes.”
The judge picked up a piece of paper. “Your employer has sent a letter attesting to your professionalism and trustworthiness.”
My attorney had said she was going to request this, but I hadn’t realized she’d gotten it in time. I would have to thank my supervisor the next time I saw him. And maybe get him a gift card or something.
“While I do appreciate the letter of recommendation, Mr. Reyes, I would like to hear from more than one person. Your criminal record, while old, does concern me when I have to consider placing a child in your custody. Is there someone from your personal life that can vouch for you?”
I looked at my attorney for help. We hadn’t talked about having a backup, but I supposed we should have.
“I’ll ask for a continuance since this isn’t something normally required,” she whispered to me. She looked to the judge, and in a normal voice, she said, “I’m sorry, Your Honor—”
“I’m here, Your Honor.”
Elaine and I turned around to see Vivian standing up.
“Ms. Stern, it’s nice to see you in my courtroom,” Judge St. James said.
How does the judge know Vivian?
“Please approach the bench and have a seat in the witness stand.”
Vivian smiled at me as she passed me and sat down.
“Please state your name and occupation.”
“Vivian Stern. I’m an attorney at…Benowitz & St. James.”
I noticed the hesitation in Vivian’s voice, and I wondered if it had to do with theSt. Jamesin her firm’s name and the name of the judge. But Judge St. James seemed unfazed by Vivian’s employer.
