Twenty-Six
Ryder
Madison and I are standing in a room on the opposite side of the two-way mirror, watching Judge Weaver speak to Aiden. We’re joined by a child psychologist and Madison’s lawyer. The judge interrupted the custody hearing and asked to speak to Aiden alone. As far as he knows, no one else is listening to their conversation. Judge Weaver notified us she’d be doing this in order to get honest answers from Aiden to determine who he’d be happiest living with full-time. Mitch of course, filed for an emergency hearing, accusing me of being a threat to the boys. So, here we are, listening like spies to a conversation that could change our lives forever.
Judge Weaver slides her chair in front of Aiden so they’re almost knee to knee. “I hear you spend a lot of time with Ryder.” He nods. “Do you have a lot of fun?”
Aiden straightens in his chair, a broad smile splayed across his face. “Yeah, he’s so cool.”
The judge smiles. “Is he? What makes him cool?”
“He has lots of tattoos and he takes me to really cool places.”
“What kind of places does he take you?”
“He takes me to the zoo and the park. We have a special bench to sit on at the park and we talk a lot.”
“Oh really? What kind of things do you talk about?”
“Lots of stuff. My mom, my brother, and sometimes Mitch.”
“Why do you call your father Mitch Aiden?”
“Because Ryder is my dad. He makes me and Caleb breakfast in the morning, he plays games with us, and watches T.V. with us too.”
“Ryder does sound really cool. Aiden, when you and Ryder talk about Mitch, does he say anything bad about him?”
“No. He tells me Mitch loves me a lot, but I don’t believe him.”
“Why?”
“Mitch is mean. He yells at me and my brother a whole lot and sometimes he never comes to pick us up to have a sleepover at his house.”
“Can I tell you a secret?” Aiden nods and she leans closer to whisper. “My dad was really mean too.”
Aiden’s eyebrows shoot up. “He was?”
“Yep he was.”
“Did your mom find another dad for you?”
“No, it was just me and my mom until I went to college. So, you know what?”
“What?”
“I think you’re lucky to have Ryder as a dad. I think he loves you very much.”
Aiden grins. “He does.”
The judge laughs and stands, holding out her hand for him to take. “C’mon, let’s go find your mom.”
When the proceedings are over Mitch bursts through the courtroom door, leaving less than happy when the judge orders full custody of the boys to Madison and he can only have supervised visitation because of his threats to kidnap the boys and take them out of the country. Madison walks ahead of me with Tyler carrying Caleb in her arms as I stay behind to help Aiden tie his shoe. I stand from my kneeling position and take Aiden’s hand when the judge calls my name.
“Mr. Storm?”
“Yes ma’am?”
“I want to commend you for all you’ve done for those boys. I don’t get a lot of men that come through here who are as special as you are. Can I ask what you do for a living?”
“I’m a delivery driver.”
“Have you ever considered being a youth counselor or something along those lines? I think you’d be able to help so many other kids. Especially those in the system.”
“No. I don’t have the right education for that.”
“Then go back to school. It’s never too late to earn a college degree.”
I huff out a dismal breath. If only I were smart enough to do something like that. If only my learning disability didn’t hold me back. “I can’t go back to school your honor.”
“Why not?”
“I…” I don’t want to tell her about my disorder, but if I’ve learned anything by being with Madison, it’s not to be ashamed of something I have no control over. “I’m dyslexic.”
“So am I.” She stands and proceeds back to her chamber. “Don’t ever let it stop you from doing the things you love or from learning new things. If you ever change your mind, you know where to find me.”
Before I can reply, she’s gone. I’m too shocked to think straight, my brain still processing what she just said. If a person in her position could become a judge and overcome her struggles with the same learning disorder that I have, then maybe I’m not applying myself as I should be. Madison was right. I was scared to put myself out there because I didn’t want to be embarrassed in front of others. Hell, I was embarrassed around my own family. I think it’s time to put my insecurities behind me and do something I’ve always wanted to do. From this moment on I am making a commitment to do my best to succeed in a career that suits me. I want Madison and the boys to be proud of me as much as I am of them. I know they’d love me no matter what I decide. If I continue to be a delivery driver or want to open my own restaurant, I know they’ll stand by me every step of the way and support me with everything they have.
Aiden tugs on my hand, pulling me forward to exit the courtroom. “C’mon Ryder, let’s go home.”