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I put the phone down, staring at the cutlery in front of me. I wasn’t sure if I could come up with that much money.
Which meant I was screwed, because I stood no chance against Mom and her team of lawyers if I couldn’t get legal representation.
A hand on my shoulder pulled me back from thoughts of other options. “Hey, what was all that about?” Jude asked softly.
“That was the lawyer I wanted to hire to represent me in court.”
A glance at Lenny confirmed he was listening. But I’d promised him I wouldn’t keep this from him anymore, so he might as well hear what was going on.
Jude put his arm around me, holding me to his side. I was too upset to care that Lenny could see. “And?”
“He wants money before he’ll even look at the case. Money I don’t have.” Lenny’s face fell, and I shot him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “But we’ll figure it out. Promise.”
Only I wasn’t so sure if we would.
The rest of breakfast was a lot more somber. Lenny and I had lost our appetites, leaving Jude to finish our meals.
My day didn’t improve when we pulled up to the apartments and an unfamiliar car was parked in the visitor spot, a woman with a clipboard waiting next to it.
She came up to us as soon as we exited the car, holding out her hand. “Ms. Caster?”
I hesitated only a moment before placing my hand in hers for a polite shake. “Yes?”
“I’m Ximena Cortez. I’m a social worker.”
Frowning, I nodded. “Okay. Why are you here, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“There’s been a report of an inappropriate living situation of a minor.”
Fucking Mom.
Lenny leaned into me, his small body shaking, his eyes on the social worker.
I put my arm around him, silently reassuring him. “I’m not sure who would report something like that, because there’s nothing inappropriate about my brother living with me. I’m his guardian.”
She waved her clipboard at the apartment building. “Do you mind if I take a look?”
When she saw my hesitation, she continued. “We take reports like this seriously. And I have to inform you that if you refuse me entry now, things will only get worse.”
Jude took my hand in his, stilling the shaking I hadn’t noticed. “Does Ariel need a lawyer?”
“Not at this stage. This is only an initial visit.”
Resigned, I released Lenny but didn’t drop Jude’s hand. Partly because he was holding on tight enough that it would be impossible to let go unless he wanted to. And partly because the touch centered me.
Pasting a smile on my face, I nodded. “I’m upstairs.”
Lenny bounded up the stairs, and I followed with Jude, the social worker right behind us.
Unlocking the door, I motioned for her to enter. Lenny snuck through first, then waited for us in the living room. “Do you want to see my room?”
He loved showing off his room, even now that he was older. I was proud of what we’d been able to achieve on my limited budget.
Ms. Cortez smiled and nodded. “That would be lovely.”
Lenny skipped to his room, throwing the door open. I cringed when it smacked against the wall, no doubt adding to the existing hole.
“Your mom behind this?”
