“Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“We didn’t know.”
“You were his family.”
“Yes.”
“And you didn’t know.”
“No.”
Sky laughed once.
No humor.
“Everybody keeps secrets and then kids get punished for them.”
Gregory had no defense.
“You’re right.”
That answer disarmed her.
She wiped her eyes angrily.
“So what happens?”
“We meet Martha.”
“And then?”
“She files what she thinks is appropriate.”
“And then?”
“A judge decides.”
Sky stood.
“So I still have no control.”
Gregory looked at her.
“You tell the judge what you want.”
“And if nobody cares?”
“Then they’ll have to not care while I’m standing there too.”
That evening Sky returned to the mural.
The unfinished rider behind Luther gained a face.
Her face.
Martha Clark met them at a diner the following afternoon.
She arrived carrying an old leather briefcase and wearing a navy blazer with one button missing.
She ordered coffee.
No sugar.
Then she read.
Everything.
Luther’s petitions.
Placement histories.
Group-home reports.
School records.
Statements Lucy had helped Sky prepare.
Information about North Creek.
The private investigator.
The Ventry connection.
Martha occasionally made notes.
Mostly she stayed silent.
When she finished, she looked directly at Sky.
“Do you want to live with Gregory?”
Sky glanced at Gregory.
Then Terry.
Then Lucy.
“I want to stay with them.”
Martha shook her head.
“That isn’t my question.”
Sky understood.
She studied Gregory.
His house was separate from the garage.
A modest place outside town with two spare bedrooms and an old dog named Chester.
She had visited once with Lucy.
“Yeah.”
“You trust him?”
“Yes.”
“You feel safe around him?”
“Yes.”
“Do you understand he’s sixty-three and grumpy?”
Gregory frowned.
Sky almost smiled.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Martha turned to Gregory.
“Being her brother’s friend does not automatically give you standing.”
“I know.”
“Your club does not get guardianship.”
“I know.”
“The court will inspect your home.”
“Fine.”
“They will look at your criminal record.”
Gregory paused.
“How far back?”
Martha stared.
“Exactly.”
Terry covered a laugh.
Martha continued.
“They’ll interview you.”
“Fine.”
“Lucy.”
Lucy looked up.
“They may interview you because you are involved in Sky’s daily support.”
“Fine.”
“They may inspect the garage if you claim she spends meaningful time there.”
“That’s fine.”
“They’ll ask about weapons, substances, people coming and going.”
The room became quieter.
Gregory nodded.
“We make whatever lawful changes are needed.”
Martha looked surprised.
“That sentence may save us three weeks.”
Sky asked:
“Can they send me back to North Creek before the hearing?”
“They can seek temporary placement.”
Sky’s fingers tightened.
Martha leaned forward.
“My job is to ask the court for an emergency order before that happens.”
“Will you win?”
“I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”
Sky appreciated the answer.
Martha continued.