“Time to spill the tea, bestie. What’s going on?”
Sometimes Robbie regretted Eugene’s access to the internet.
But he couldn’t regret Eugene. He’d been nine when fifteen-year-old Robbie had moved into his family home. Eugene’s parents had been his billet family for three years while Robbie played OHL hockey and finished high school. Eugene had fast become the brother Robbie had always wanted and needed. The entire Wallace family had become the family he wanted and needed, actually, offering the unconditional love and support Robbie never had at home.
They kept in touch after Robbie left their home for AHL and NHL dreams, and by the time Eugene headed off to university for his first degree, Robbie had the funds to help support him. He also had the funds ten years ago to help Eugenesecure a business loan for his practice, but that was another story.
For twenty years Eugene had been Robbie’s confidant, and he wasn’t about to break the habit now.
So Robbie told Eugene everything in a soft voice while they waited. Sawyer might still be oblivious upstairs, but Robbie wasn’t risking shit.
By the time the social worker arrived, Eugene had soothed Robbie’s worst fears and was building up arguments in favour of keeping Sawyer right where he was.
Which, thank God, because Sawyer heard CAS knocking on the door and looked out the window to see the cop car, so he came flying down the stairs in a panic before Robbie could introduce himself.
Hugging Sawyer close and rubbing circles on his back while telling him his dad got arrested for being part of a car theft ring? Not a highlight in Robbie’s life.
“But Robbie, if Dad’s in jail, then what happens to me?”
“Why don’t we all sit down and talk about that?” Margaret the social worker cut in smoothly. She helped Robbie get Sawyer outside and settle everyone in with drinks before she started talking.
“Now, Sawyer—it’s Sawyer, right?”
“Yeah.” Sawyer eyed her suspiciously through his red-rimmed eyes.
“Your father tells us that you’ve been living here with your uncle pretty much full-time since you changed schools last year.” Robbie’s house was closer to the new one, and it made convincing the school board to let Sawyer switch all the easier.
“Yeah.”
“And he also tells us that your uncle has been helping raise you.”
Sawyer nodded again. “He basically pays for everything.”
“That’s good of him.” Robbie bit his tongue and didn’t snap at the nice lady for making it sound like loving Sawyer was charity work. “So you like living here?”
“Yeah.” Sawyer shot Robbie a look like,can you believe this?
Margaret cleared her throat. “Mr. Zeiger and Mr. Wallace, I think Sawyer could use something to eat.”
Robbie wasn’t fooled, but he wasn’t about to keep her from doing her job. He leaned forward and kissed the top of Sawyer’s head. “Yell if you need me.”
Sawyer rolled his eyes but didn’t flinch from the contact.
By the time Robbie and Eugene returned with apple slices and a few homemade cookies because fuck it, today deserved cookies, Sawyer and Margaret both looked more relaxed.
“Well, Sawyer’s father has already deemed you suitable for secondary care, and Sawyer tells me you’re a wonderful parent. I can’t see any sign of neglect, and the foster system is always overtaxed. I’m only filling in today, but my recommendation is to leave Sawyer with his family for now.” Robbie all but fell into the chair next to Sawyer. “Of course, this is a temporary measure, you understand. Since your father has been arrested, your care is now of interest to CAS, and things can’t go on as they have been. However, it sounds like you’ve got a decent case for custody, Mr. Zeiger.”
“Yeah?”
“If everything that Sawyer tells me is true—”
“It is!” Sawyer objected.
“—then you’ve been his parent for years, and his primary parent for several months. That’s not nothing in child custody hearings.”
Eugene nodded and tapped his fingers on the table. “And the court likes to grant custody to family where it can.”
“Exactly. So, we’ll fill out the paperwork to have you named as temporary guardian until the court makes an official decision. Or until a determination is made to rescind that.”
