Shelia would be able to move for emergency placement on the grounds that it would cause Curtis severe emotional distress to be removed from his normal environment and only source of moral support in his time of bereavement. The Guardian Ad Litem that’d been appointed by her to protect Curtis’ best interests was backing up that statement. Most of the department seemed satisfied that everything would work out in their favor. Everything else had taken a backseat while they focused on getting their Curtis back. While no one was saying it, they all knew what a boys’ group home could be like. It wasn’t a place Curtis could handle. He was small, sweet, and despite the hardships he’d faced, he generally believed there was good in everything, good in people. So innocent and naïve to the harsh cruelties of the world.
Green couldn’t help but notice Day’s frustration as he waited to hear back from one of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judges. They would need the order signed as soon as it was drafted. Unfortunately getting in front of a judge at J&DR was like trying to cut in line at the DMV. It was damn near impossible. Ruxs sat beside him, making suggestions and answering questions Green didn’t know the answer to. Especially when it came to Curtis’ schooling and what Green envisioned for Curtis’ future. As soon as Green finished a section, Shelia would take it and immediately enter it into their system, speeding things along exponentially.
His leg bounced nervously under his desk. It was after eight o’clock. He’d promised Curtis he’d be back in the morning to check on him. He felt Ruxs’ hand on his knee holding it still.
“Babe, relax. Come on concentrate. We still got a bit more to go,” Ruxs said flipping over to the next sheet. Fuck. They wanted to know everything from his goddamn blood type, to his favorite food, to his fucking childhood pet.
Green ran his hand through his hair for the hundredth time. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “What if they don’t give him to me? What if they say my job is too dangerous? Or I don’t have a wife. Shit! What if they say I can’t have him because I don’t have any parenting skills?”
Ruxs dropped his pen and cupped Green’s jaw. Heads were turning, watching them and so were Shelia and the appointed Guardian Ad Litem. Green needed to get a grip. He couldn’t let them see him freaking out. How could he handle a teenage, almost grown young man, if he couldn’t handle filling out some forms. Green stared into Ruxs’ beautiful eyes, trying to focus on what he was saying.
“Babe. Calm down. You’ll get him. It’s practically a done deal. We got two children’s services specialists ready to stand up for you in court and say that you are the best thing for Curtis right now. No judge will argue against it. You’re not some Joe Shmoe walkin’ in off the street requesting a kid. You’ve practically been Curtis’ caregiver and guardian for three years. This is just making it official. All you have to do is finish the papers, okay. This is all just a formality. Curtis is coming home soon,” Ruxs said softly, picking up the pen and putting it back in his hand. “As soon as you clam down and finish this.”
Ruxs leaned in and kissed his temple when he got back to writing. They didn’t worry about anyone seeing their affection. Green had been honest about his sexual orientation, refusing to get caught in any deceit. But thankfully, Shelia informed them that factor was not going to be a hindrance in any way.
When they’d finished all the forms, the stack looked like the damn yellow pages. Everything was entered and being processed. “Now, I’m going to check on the status of your home visit. Something should be scheduled by now. If they couldn’t get someone that fast then I’ll do it myself.”
God nodded his approval and sat back in his chair watching Shelia work. Day was still on the phone with the courts. Green gnawed his fingernails down to the nubs as he paced back and forth in their large office. He glanced up at the clock again. It was a quarter past ten. Shit. I need to go see him now! He’s probably watching out the window for me. Green’s heart raced, worrying that he was letting Curtis down.
He texted his mom to see where she was on getting his house situated. She and his stepdad were setting up Curtis a room fit for a teenager. Equipped with a new bed, not a futon. New dressers already filled with his clothes and personal items that Ro, Furi and several other members of their team had helped to get over there from his house. A brand new television and Bose stereo system. There were pictures and posters pinned up on the walls of things Curtis loved. Ruxs said he was going overboard but he ignored him… as usual when it came to Curtis. Everyone on their team had also chipped in financially.