DJ grinned. “Mom’s awesome. She can be a dork, but she’s funny, and she makes the best meatball subs. My friends think she’s cool, and I know what those photos look like, Sir, but they were taken outta context because it looked like things were happening that weren’t. It’s not like my mom lets us do whatever we want. She’s strict, and she gets on my case about my room and my grades, and she’s always telling me to watch my mouth and stop cussing. But she’s cool because she trusts me to do the right thing, and nobody else does that, not even Dad. Sometimes I mess up, but I know she’s on my side.”
“What’s it like at your dad’s house?” the judge asked.
DJ shrugged. “It’s alright, kinda boring really. Dad’s always working, and he leaves us with his girlfriends who mostly do their own thing. A couple of them have taken us out or played board games and watched movies and stuff, but the ones like Rachel mostly talk on their phones and complain about being stuck with us. We’d rather be at home ‘cause Mom’s more fun and Donovan takes me to the gym and teaches me Martial Arts moves and stuff, and my Uncle Dan got me a job at the MC, washing their bikes and trucks, which is good ‘cause it meansMom doesn’t have to keep finding money to give us for the movies and stuff.”
The judge looked down at his notes. “The Speed Demons?”
DJ dipped his chin. “They’re awesome. The Demons have an auto shop where they design custom bikes, and they run the biggest construction company in Southern Wyoming. They have businesses everywhere, Your Honor, and the brothers are mostly ex-military veterans, so they teach me discipline and how to obey orders, which will help when I enlist. Was gonna do it when I turn eighteen, but I’m thinking of trying to get a ball scholarship and go to college. That way, if I get a degree, I can do officer training and learn to command.”
The judge grinned, “That’s a fine idea, Daniel. I’m sure you’ll succeed in whatever you do.”
DJ grinned back. “Thank you, Sir.” He sat down, and the judge motioned for Gabby to stand up.
She got to her feet, her cheeks burning and looking so awkward that I wished I could saunter over there and stand at her back to give her support. Instead, Rosie reached up and took her hand.
“Are you alright, Gabrielle?” the judge asked, his tone full of concern.
“Yes, Sir,” she said quietly. “I’m just nervous.”
“You’re safe here, dear,” he told her gently. “Nothing you say here is wrong. Do you understand?”
She nodded. “My mom said the same thing, Your Honor,” she murmured, glancing down at Rosie.
“Why are you nervous?” he asked her.
Gabby took a breath to center herself and then told him, “Those photographs have upset me. They make it look like DJ, me, and our friends were running wild.”
“Do you have a lot of friends?” the judge asked her.
“No,” she replied. “I have a few, and they’re my best friends who I’ve grown up with, but I get shy and tongue-tied around large groups and people I don’t know, so I don’t mix much.”
“My wife is much the same,” he responded, smiling kindly before asking, “Can you tell me a little about yourself?”
“There’s not much to say, Sir,” she started. “I love books and reading. I want to write when I’m older, and I think I’d like to work in a library.”
“That’s admirable,” he commented. “You should visit our Larsen-Sant Public Library while you’re here. You’d like it.”
Gabby beamed. “Thank you, Sir. We don’t have a library in Hambleton. Donovan’s brother’s wife, Maeve, loves books too. She takes me to the library in Mapletree every week, and we go to the diner while we’re there, grab a hot chocolate, and talk about all the new releases.” She gave the judge a knowing look. “Maeve’s an ologist.”
His eyebrows pulled together.
“Really, she’s an archeologist, but Donovan’s mam calls Maeve an ologist because she’s so smart.”
“Do you see a lot of Donovan’s mother?” the judge asked.
“Yeah,” Gabby confirmed. “She taught me how to make Irish soda bread. She’s a great cook, and she’s so funny. I love her Irish accent; it’s so cool.”
“What about your grandparents?” he inquired. “The ones on your dad’s side?”
“We don’t see them much,” she murmured, her eyes flicking toward them as they sat stoically. “They go on vacation a lot.”
“Do you get along with them?” he asked.
Gabby nodded. “They’re great. I wish we could see them more.”
The judge sat forward. “And what about your dad?”
Gabby straightened her back and tilted her chin up, just like her mom. “I love my dad, Your Honor, but right now, I don’t like him very much.”
