With me.
Nothing’s ever been more clear.
“This is Cole’s room,”I say, pushing open the door for Dave.
He walks in, scanning the room. His eyes land on the new PlayStation. “He likes video games?”
“Very much,” Jordan says with a grin.
“What kid doesn’t these days?” I add.
Dave nods and writes in his notebook, causing a brief surge of panic. He’s been taking notes through the whole tour. But video games… people have strong opinions about them and the amount of time kids are allowed to spend on them.
“How often does he play?” Dave asks, and it’s impressive, how he can casually drop a loaded question like it’s nothing.
“He’d play all day if we let him,” I answer truthfully. “But he usually has a time limit. About an hour a day.”
Except for the time he came to New York for spring break and we spent an entire day playing GoldenEye on a Nintendo 64 I found on eBay.
Dave doesn’t need to knoweverything.
“And what does bedtime look like on a school night?”
Shit.
“Honestly, I’ve never had Cole during school time.” Here it is. The moment that may cost me guardianship. The moment Dave realizes that while I have a great relationship with Cole, I’ve only ever beenfun Uncle Matt.
“He’s stayed with me in New York for weeks at a time in the summer and spring break. Some holidays. It’s mostly been fun-uncle time.”
I check my posture and tone, making sure I’m not fidgeting. I’ve been nervous before. I know how to look confident when I’m anything but. “And now I have him on the weekends.”
Dave just nods again and writes something down.
“But structure isn’t foreign to me,” I add, glancing at Jordan. “We’dbuild a routine that works for him. Homework. Dinner. Bedtime. And if work ever conflicts, one of us is always available.”
“Matt’s his own boss,” Jordan says, jumping in. “He can make himself available whenever necessary. And my boss is pretty lenient. I’m able to work remotely some of the time, and if not, I’m usually home by five.” She smiles. “We’d start simple. Dinner together. Homework at the table. We’ll adjust as we learn what he needs. What’s working. What’s not.”
Dave hums, then looks up. “Well, I think I have everything I need.”
Thank fuck.
We’ve been grilled with one question after another. And after he talked to both of us together, he talked to us separately. A full-on interrogation.
Dave was great. Kind and respectful. And he stayed neutral the whole time. Never gave anything away. He’s damn good at what he does, I’ll give him that.
But I’ve been sweating bullets for the past ninety minutes, and I’m more than ready for him to leave.
He heads for the front door, then turns. “Thank you. I’ll be compiling my report and submitting my recommendation to the court. If I need anything further, I’ll be in touch.”
“Thank you,” Jordan says, politely. “We really appreciate your time.”
She’s such a sweet talker. I could never do what Dave does. One look at Jordan and I’d give her whatever she wanted. But then add her personality and the answers she gave?
Yeah. I’d be fucked.
I hear myself say goodbye to Dave, but it barely registers. I’m too busy staring at this incredible woman as she closes the door.
Jordan turns, leans against the door, and blows out a breath. “I think we did good,” she says softly.
