We never had a formal guardianship because my dad and I had an understanding and we never had the money to file for things like that, nor could I probably ever get him to agree to it without paying him extra. Until now that Weston is helping.
“I see, and where is Sullivan Murphy?” she asks with her pen poised above the clipboard, waiting for my response.
“He doesn’t live here anymore. As I said, I have been Owen’s unofficial guardian since he wasa baby when our mother died. I’m not sure where he’s at but I’m in the process of working with an attorney to get full legal custody.”
Thank God for Weston Jessop. I send up a silent prayer for all of his help. And Ollie’s. Ugh. I wish he were here.
The woman steps inside and looks around, taking notes. She watches Mack work on the truck in the bay and looks back at Maggie. “Are you any relation to Owen Murphy?”
Maggie grins proudly and protectively. “Well, I’m his stand-in grandma. Been in both their lives since before Poppy here was born. Was good friends with her momma. Did you know Grace Murphy? The woman was an icon in Bridger Falls. She even has her own memorial park bench here on Main Street. Had cancer and died over eleven years ago. Poppy has raised Owen since then, even when she was a kid herself. She’s the hardest working woman I know. I can tell you that. There’s no child neglect here. We are all here for Poppy and Owen.”
“I didn’t know that about your mother,” the woman says softly, looking at me kindly. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” I say nervously. “I’m sorry, what is your name?”
“I’m Monica,” she says, reaching out to shake my hand with a gentle handshake. Nothing about this woman screams scary or aggressive. But just knowing that she could have the power to potentially take my little brother from me makes me practically feral. Owen means the world to me. So, I am keeping my distance just in case.
“Nice to meet you,” I say. “I’m sorry. I’m just so confused. Who would make a false report like this?”
“We can’t say who reported. There are concerns about stability with Owen,” she says. “Stable housing, financial support, and possible neglect.”
I open my mouth and literally have no words. First, a thought passes through me that maybe Iama neglectful sister.We have been struggling. Maybe this is warranted. Then I shake my head, exhale, and stand straighter. No. I have done my very best. This is bullshit. A lot of people struggle. But Owen is loved and he has everything he needs.
Maggie must sense I’m upset because she reaches out and squeezes my hand then she says what I’m holding back, saying, “Now, honey, you and I both can see that this is horse shit. Owen has everything he needs, wants, and more. Poppy works her butt off. And she has all of us, too. She has a huge support system. Walker and Violet, Jack and Cami, me, and of course, Ollie. You know the saying, ‘It takes a village?’ Well, Poppy’s village is mighty and strong.”
Monica glances at Maggie and nods while she writes down more notes.
I give Maggie a look, like ‘what do I do?’
Monica’s gaze meets mine. “The initial report also indicates your home is in foreclosure.”
I swallow. “It is, but that is my father’s home, and we’re in the middle of moving.”
“And where will you and your brother be living?”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Because I don’t have the answer to that. I have no clue. And this looks bad. Really bad.
I realize, in that moment, that I can’t do this alone. Pride does not protect kids. Paperwork does. I need a plan.
“With Ollie,” Maggie says confidently and squeezes my shoulder.
I give her a look, confused and she side eyes me like, ‘go along with this.’
“Yeah...yes. We are moving in with my fri...Ollie,” I say as Maggie smiles and nods, encouraging me.
Like he’s been summoned, footsteps sound on the stairs.
“I heard my name?” Ollie asks as he comes up beside me,eyes flicking between us and over to the worker. The tension in the room is thick, and he must suspect something is up.
The CPS worker turns and glances over at him. “And you are?”
“Ollie Kendrick,” he says, reaching to shake Monica’s hand. She looks at him in confusion and back at me. Then she makes a note on her clipboard.
Damn, I wish I could see those notes.
Maggie looks back and forth between us and blurts out, “Ollie and Poppy are engaged. They’ve practically raised Owen like their child since he was a baby.”
Ollie doesn’t even hesitate. A brief moment of surprise crosses his face but without missing a beat he says, “That’s right. We’re engaged.”
