“All right, everybody take a deep breath.” I looked at Violet. “No matter what happens today, the adoption will go through. It could be postponed because the judge can take all the time in the world to make sure this is a good placement.”
She tugged nervously on her ear. “But he could decide yes today, right?”
“I have the paperwork for him. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
“I talked to the guy for two hours earlier,” she said.
The judge had agreed to an ex parte meeting with Violet earlier today, where they had tea in his chambers. It wasn’t common, but it wasn’t completely unheard of, either. When children were involved, a judge could meet with them and make sure they knew exactly what was happening. I liked that Judge Grizzio had taken the time to speak with Violet personally. He was a good man. Yet I also knew he would make his decision based on caution, which I understood.
Bailiff Frederickson emerged from the side door, and his beard looked even fuller than usual. I didn’t know how he did it. Maybe he used some special beard cream. “All rise,” he said.
We were already standing, but nobody said anything. Judge Grizzio walked in, his blue eyes intelligent and a pink tie peeking above his dark robe.
“Sit down,” he said. “Everybody relax.”
Yeah, right. Nobody was going to relax. We all sat, and Violet reached over to hold my hand. My heart turned over. This was so important to her—and to all of us.
The judge tugged a pair of reading glasses from somewhere in his robe and perched them on his nose. “Ms. Albertini, I reviewed all the paperwork, and everything’s in good order.” He shuffled several papers. “The counselors and teachers from both the high school in Timber City and out in Silverville speak highly of you, Violet. They say you’re intelligent, thoughtful, and mature. I have the psychiatrist’s report claiming that you understand the proceedings and know what you want, as well as several letters from friends and other teachers. I also very much enjoyed our talk today.”
“So did I, Your Honor,” Violet said. “And I will give basketball a thought. I’m not really tall, but I could probably learn the game.”
“You should. It has excellent cardiovascular benefits,” the judge said.
I started to relax a little bit.
“However, as you know, I am very concerned that your first response to being faced with danger this weekend was to run,” the judge said.
“Don’t forget the home study. Please, Judge,” she said. “It went well, too.”
He smiled, looking more approachable. “I understand that, Violet. I’ve read through the home study, but your reaction still concerns me.”
She started to stand.
He shook his head. “You’re fine sitting. You don’t need to stand. Just relax. We’re only talking here.”
“Okay.” She stared down at the table. “I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t know you were supposed to go to family instead of trying to protect them.” She looked over at Buddy. “Buddy explained it to me.”
“What did Buddy say?” the judge asked.
Violet cleared her throat. “That a dad’s job is to take care of problems, and it’s a one-way street—at least until I’m older, and until he’s way, way, way older because he’s not old at all.” She smiled. “That’s what he said.”
“I see, and what do you think about that?” the judge asked.
She nodded. “I think I understand it. At least, I do better than I did the other day.”
He studied her. “What if you were in that situation again? What if somebody threatened you now?”
“I’d go to family,” she said instantly and without thought. “I have a lot of them I could go to. Even if you don’t sign the papers today, that won’t change.” Her voice was sure.
I had to swallow over the lump in my throat.
The back door opened, and the bailiff moved closer to us. “This is a closed hearing,” Judge Grizzio said.
“We’re part of it,” Rory Albertini returned.
I turned to see Yara and Buddy’s six sons walk into the room. They ranged from their mid-twenties to early thirties and were all tall, broad, and very Italian-looking. Three of them held hands with the loves they’d recently found, and I nodded at Heather, Serenity, and Marlie.
Bosco, the youngest of the brothers, stepped up. “We’re Violet’s brothers.”
