Thank you. I will, I wrote back.
I put my phone on silent when they called our case. My heart beat in my throat. As soon as I walked into the courtroom, I saw Eloise and Callie. I burst out crying, unable to help myself, and ran to them. They started crying when they saw me too and ran up to me. I hugged them both around the neck and kissed their cheeks.
“I have missed you both so much,” I whispered in their ears.
I let them go to get a better look at them. Their hair was shorter, well groomed, something I don’t think they’d ever really had before. They both had headbands in their hair and sweet dresses on as well as new shoes. They looked healthier than I’d ever seen them.
“You look beautiful, girls.” They smiled through their tears and I did the same. “How are you both feeling?”
Eloise looked at Callie. “We’re okay,” she said.
Callie smiled at me. “We miss Mama.”
I burst into tears but stifled it. “I know, baby, so do I.”
“But Hollie and Matt and are really sweet to us, Lily,” Eloise said, pointing behind her.
Two admittedly sweet-looking people, people I’d not really gotten a good look at during my mother’s funeral, stood behind them. They both waved at me.
“Come meet them!” Callie said. Both girls dragged me by the hand over to their foster parents.
“Lily,” Hollie greeted me and picked my hand up, holding it between her own, “I’m so happy to meet you. The girls have told me so much about you,” she said, her eyes glassy, as if she was fighting back tears.
“Have they?” I whispered, barely able to talk.
“They have,” the man added in. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Matthew and this is my wife, Hollie.”
“Nice to meet you both,” I could barely voice.
“We’re so sorry for the loss of your mother,” Hollie told me.
“Thank you,” I told her, wiping an errant tear away.
“Your sisters are very sweet girls,” she added, changing the subject. I thought for my benefit, but I wasn’t sure.
“They’re wonderful,” I agreed.
I stared down at Callie’s hand in Hollie’s and felt a little overwhelmed. Callie swung their hands together like it was something she did all the time, like it was something with which she was familiar. I didn’t know what to think of that. A feeling of sorrow is the only way I could describe it.
Hollie was dressed impeccably as was her husband. They were moneyed, that was apparent, which made me feel a little better just because I’d known so many foster kids whose foster parents were in it for the government check. These people obviously were not.
“Thank you for taking such good care of them,” I told them. “They seem so happy and healthy.” My bottom lip shook at my last statement. I was grateful to them, but it was hard to see them doing so well without me as selfish as that sounds.
“Happiness is their natural state,” Matthew told me, making me laugh a little. Ironic.
“Yes,” I agreed, unable to say anything else.
The bailiff entered the courtroom and we all turned their direction.
“Court is now in session, the Honorable Samuel McFadden presiding,” he announced to the room.
I nodded to the girls and took my place next to Sylvia.
“Thank you,” the judge said. He looked up from underneath his reading glasses. “If you’ll be seated.”
We all sat.
“Court calls number four on the docket, the city of Smithfield Child Protective Services vs. Lily Hahn,” the bailiff announced.
“Good morning,” the judge said.
“Good morning, Judge,” we said.
“This court has been assigned as to the visitation rights of Miss Lily Hahn, sister of Eloise and Callie Bodine. This is a show cause hearing requested by plaintiff Lily Hahn as to an order entered by this court. The record should reflect that the previous ruling found Miss Hahn to be of unfit status and denied visitation. It is my understanding that Miss Hahn has entered a complaint and would like to revisit this previous ruling. Is that correct, Counselor Spears?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Sylvia replied.
“So at this time, I ask if you are ready to proceed on your show cause motion?”
“We are, Your Honor,” Sylvia replied.
“Proceed.”
Sylvia stood and gathered all the documents I’d brought with me. “At this time, I would like to present to the court weekly drug tests voluntarily taken by Miss Hahn proving she has remained sober since her mother’s demise. We would also like to show that Miss Hahn has made drastic physical improvements to her property in order to make it fit for children to live.”
“Bring these documents to me,” the judge replied.
Sylvia approached the bench and handed the judge the documents.
He perused them for easily five minutes, paying close attention to the drug tests, then moved on to the photos of the property.
“And has the plaintiff kept employment?”
“Yes, sir,” she said, approaching the bench once more. “Here is a letter from her employer, Casey Goodwin, showing the date she started work and her current employment status.”
“Very good,” he said, and Sylvia joined my side once more.
The judge addressed me directly. “And Miss Hahn, I understand it is your wish to regain full custody of your sisters? Is that correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
He nodded.
“The court finds plaintiff Lily Hahn fit for supervised visitation once a week on a day to be worked out by the parties involved and only under the condition that Miss Hahn provides and passes weekly drug tests. Is this satisfactory for your plaintiff, Counselor Spears?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Miss Briar?” he asked Faye from Child Protective Services.
“We agree.”
“Good. Court is adjourned.” Judge McFadden looked at me as he stood. “Miss Hahn, keep up the good work.”
“Yes, sir,” I replied, overwhelmed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
I’D GAINED VISITATION RIGHTS with my sisters. I’d done it. I sat in the lobby outside the courtroom and waited for Sylvia. Hollie, Matthew, and my sisters came out of the courtroom and approached me.
“I did it, girls!”
“Yes!” Wheezy squealed.
Callie looked up at me, her eyes excited. “Does this mean you come to live with us and Matt and Hollie’s house now?”
I furrowed my brows and swallowed nothing. “No, baby, it just means you can come visit me once a week.”
“Cool!” Cal exclaimed, but instead of hugging me as I’d expected, she hugged Hollie, and my stomach sank to the ground.
Hollie, not realizing my turmoil, hugged her tightly back. Eloise hugged Matt around the waist. I watched them live out this intimate moment with people who were strangers to me.
“So what days work best for you for visitation?” I asked them. “I work nights, so my days are free.”
Matt looked over at Hollie. “That’s all you, babe.”
Hollie smiled at me. “I think Sundays would be best. What do you think?”
“Sundays are great,” I told her.
Hollie took her phone out of her purse. “Let me have your number,” she said.
I recited it to her and she sent a text letting me know her own number.
“Whenever you need to get in touch with us, just call or text,” she offered.
“I will, thank you.”
“We should go,” Matt said to Hollie, tapping his watch. “The girls have swim practice in an hour.”
Hollie glanced at the time on her phone. “Whoa! Cutting it close.” She looked at me. “If you’ll excuse us, the girls have practice in an hour and a meet right after. We need to run home and get their stuff.”
The girls squealed then bounced on their heels and spun the bells of their dresses excitedly.
“Oh, of course,” I said, watching my sisters play.
“Girls,” Hollie said, catching their attention. “Tell your sister goodbye and let’s jet.”
Callie and Eloise both hugged me hard and I kissed the tops of their heads. “I’ll see you next week, girls.”
“See you next week, Lily!” Eloise said, and started running toward the doors.
“Wait!” Matt called after her.
Callie chased after Eloise and Matt started after both. “Nice to meet you!” he called back.