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“He had a number of operatives on site. I’m guessing he’s here to provide some answers preemptively. What they’re claiming is pretty far-reaching.”
Adam nodded at the man, who returned the greeting and as the judge walked into the room, everyone stood, though not everyone was smart enough to zip it. One of the men at the opposite table immediately burst into angry chatter and the judge cut him a vicious look.
“Be seated.” His voice rang through the room, deep and authoritative, and finally everyone shut up.
“We’re here to finalize the adoption process for this little lady.” His face softened briefly as he waved a hand toward us, where Daniela rested comfortably in Adam’s arms.
“Mr. and Mrs. Beckman, please approach with the child.”
Another angry outburst from the man and I couldn’t help but give him a cutting look as my brain processed just enough of his outburst to realize he was accusing me, personally, of kidnapping.
The judge asked each of us a few questions about ourselves while he reviewed the paperwork in the folder in front of him.
“I see no reason to delay this process,” he said finally, and I felt the blood whoosh through my body. “Everything here is in order and there is evidence of due diligence. There are no family members putting forth protest and the necessary procedures have been followed.” He shot a look at the table as a fourth man joined them, someone I suspected was a translator.
“The paperwork filed to halt today’s procedure was sloppy.” He shot a look toward the most vociferous man, and we all waited for the interpreter to communicate the judge’s insult.
“You cannot demonstrate to me that the demand to cease and desist is reasonable. There are no family members stepping forward to claim this child, and my understanding is that of the orphaned children who are returned, they will be placed in state care. How can you prove to me that is better for this child than placing her immediately with parents who have demonstrated their love and care?”
His eyes trailed back over to us and he smiled at Daniela, who stared seriously up at him.
“We are not here today to discuss the procedures in place in the migrant camps. I apologize, Mr. Hendrickson, that you were summoned here today, as this has been a spectacular waste of your time. The argument lodged does not belong in this court.”
There was an explosion of sound from the table and finally the translator stood and addressed the room. He pointed to one of the men as he spoke. “This gentleman alleges he is the baby’s uncle, on her mother’s side. The parents were young and there were objections to their relationship.”
I felt pins and needles prickle at my skin. A blood relative’s claim would outweigh mine anyday.
The judge leaned back in his chair thoughtfully, one eyebrow raised.
“Your honor.” Adam’s voice was clear and strong. “If I may?”
The judge nodded, and he appeared grateful for the distraction.
“It’s not my place to say that Daniela’s family is incapable of providing for her, but I cannot imagine they are ready to provide for her and the needs she will have throughout life.”
I cut him a quick look. What was he talking about, like she was sick?
“There were a number of issues not immediately identified, or perhaps overlooked, when the baby was sent to Sacred Heart. It was clearly of highest priority to place her where she’d be safe and was in a situation to have her needs met.”
Slowly, Adam turned to directly and addressed the man who claimed to be Daniela’s uncle.
“Are you willing to do the work to raise her? To learn another language to communicate with her? It will take training and dedication, and she’ll need to be taught how to sign and, if she’s to be truly successful, how to read lips.”
The man’s face collapsed as the translator relayed the information, and he sputtered something angrily.
“He says you are lying,” the translator said and the judge sighed heavily.
“None of this matters!” he barked. “This is the wrong jurisdiction, and the paperwork filed is irrelevant to the situation. It is clear this child was given the best care available and every effort was made to locate additional family members.” He raised the folder in the air and shook it. “To my understanding,” he looked directly at the man, “your country’s migration representative was involved for the duration of the process–and is still involved. If there were concerns about the procedure, those concerns should have been immediately raised within the higher courts.”
“Your honor.” Adam waited until the judge stopped speaking, and the judge nodded at him in recognition.
“Madelyn.” Adam’s eyes finally met mine, and I knew he was searching for some sign of surprise or dismay. “Will you please demonstrate for the gentlemen?”
Daniela was exactly where she wanted to be, tucked comfortably against Adam’s shoulder, and it didn’t concern her at all when I moved out of her field of vision, walking around Adam to stand outside her line of sight. I snapped my fingers loudly, several times, then called to her but she remained nestled into Adam.
“Closer,” he called without turning to face me and I stood directly behind him, holding my arm out to the side to snap my fingers several times in rapid succession.
“She has a doctor appointment next week,” he said quietly. “Through some misfortune, it seems her medical records were lost and it was not disclosed to potential adoptive parents that the baby is deaf.” He turned then, looking at me curiously.
