Aaron stood as well. “Want me to come with you for moral support?”
Brody nodded. “Yeah, I’d like that.” Audra agreed to stay with the boys as Brody and Aaron headed to the small courtroom across the hall, Family Court etched onto the door.
The room was smaller than Brody expected. A few rows of chairs were behind two tables, one on each side of a middle aisle with the judge’s bench in the front center of the room. Aunt Kelly and her lawyer were inside and seated when Brody walked in. Holly directed Brody and Peach to the table in on the right side, and Aaron gave his shoulder a quick reassuring squeeze before sitting down in a chair behind them.
When the judge entered through a side door, his eyes widened. She looked familiar, and when the bailiff announced the Honorable Emily Mora was presiding in court today, it all came back. She had been a year behind him back in high school, but they’d been in a few math classes together.
That meant she’d remember the scandal he’d caused with Diego and getting kicked out of his house. Fuck.
If any of that crossed the judge’s mind, she kept it well hidden. “I’ve read both party’s briefs, and I’d like to hear from each of you now. First, I’ll hear from the petitioner. Kelly Lockwood Hollis.”
Aunt Kelly stood and held up a single sheet of paper. In a loud, clear voice, she described her home and financial situation, and explained the life she could give Jace and Jonah. “The tuition of their private school would be no issue, nor any of their needs, health or financial. They’ll each have their own room in my house.”
Judge Mora interrupted her. “My understanding is that this guardianship is for the time until their mother is released and returns to take custody of them.”
Kelly closed her eyes. “Your Honor, anyone can see that those boys shouldn’t go back to that kind of life. Their mother is a degenerate drug addict who doesn’t deserve those children.”
“I see.” Judge Mora nodded, her face impassive. “I’ve also read your brief describing why Staff Sergeant Hollis should not keep custody.”
“He’s as bad as she is,” Kelly spat out. Her attorney put his hand on her arm, but she slung it off. “He’s a queer one, Your Honor. He’ll fill their heads with that gay nonsense. His medical records say that he’s been diagnosed with a brain injury and depression. On top of that, he’s an invalid. Just got out of the hospital because of his seizures. I read you can get those from being homosexual.” She stamped her foot. “I won’t have the boys around that.”
The room went quiet.
The judge’s face remained still during Aunt Kelly’s speech, but when she turned to Brody, her eyes warmed. “Sergeant, please begin.”
Brody stood and looked down at the bullet points on his sheet of paper that he’d put together with Holly, then set it down. “Your Honor—” He looked over at her and then gave a bitter chuckle. “She’s not wrong, not entirely, I reckon. I have a seizure disorder related to my time in the army. This is Peach, my therapy dog. When I left the army, I did go through some hard times. For several years, the service was my life. It became my family after I left home. The army took me in and trained me to be a man, so that medical discharge hurt me in a lot of ways. But I found a new life when I started a business that would help others who’d been injured like me, others who were also lost and hurting.”
When the judge didn’t stop him, Brody kept talking. “As for the other part—yeah, that’s true. I’m gay.” He shrugged. “That stopped being a crime a few years back, except in my family. But I love those boys and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe and fed and happy. They’re my whole life, as long as I’ve got’em.”
The courtroom doors opened. Brody saw Judge Mora’s face turn toward the door, and he turned his head as well—and inhaled sharply. Diego walked into the room, his hair cut short and trim, wearing a collared shirt and navy blazer, with dark jeans and black boots. He caught Brody’s eyes for a moment, the barest hint of a smile as he took a seat next to Aaron, looking more like one of the attorneys than a tattoo artist or guitar player in a rock band.
Brody turned back to the judge. He stood straighter, Diego’s presence in the room buoying his mood. “For some people, being gay was enough of a reason to kick me out of the family. But I’m not a bad person and hold my family dearer than that. Those boys need a place to grow and be safe, and so does my sister, when she’s released.”
Aunt Kelly was livid. “See? See, Your Honor?” She stood and pointed at Diego and Aaron. “He’s going to surround those boys with people like…them.”
Aaron turned his head at that, but he said nothing. Diego spoke quietly into Aaron’s ear, and then they turned away from her.
The judge looked sharply at Aunt Kelly for that remark, then turned back to Brody. “You may continue.”
“That’s about it, Your Honor. I’m good people, and I love my nephews. They’re the most important people in my life. I hope that’s enough for this court.”
“Tell me about your current medical state, Sergeant.” Judge Mora glanced down at Peach, resting quietly at his side.
Brody took a deep breath. Of all the problems with this case, this was the one area that worried him the most. “I was hospitalized about ten days ago. There was an issue with my medications, and I had a seizure while on my property. The boys were never in any danger,” he added. “I’ve got good friends who helped me care for them.”
“How has this affected your ability to care for them?”
This was the question. “Currently, I’m restricted from driving until we get my meds sorted out.”
“Is there anyone at the house helping you full-time with your nephews?”
“Not right—” But before Brody finished that statement, he saw Judge Mora look over his shoulder.
He turned his head and saw Diego raise his hand. “I’ll be able to help with that, Your Honor.”
The judge blinked. “You live at Sergeant Hollis’ residence?”
Diego nodded, then glanced at Brody before looking back at the judge. “If that’s what we need to do to keep Jace and Jonah safe. If you want another adult around to make sure they’re good in case something happens to Brody, then I’ll do it.”
