Shes the one, p.32
She's the One, page 32
“Would it?”
“No.”
Deanna looked at him. “So what is it going to take for you to believe I mean it?”
He touched her mouth, stared into her eyes. “Mind saying it again?”
She kissed him instead.
It was enough.
Deanna led Jade by the hand down the long official corridor. She was looking for Room 319 and the chambers of Judge Simone Horton, who was to preside over the hearing requested by the ACS. The purpose of the hearing was to establish the custody and long-term care of Jade Taylor Lowell. It was also to hear a petition on behalf of Deanna Lindsay, who had applied for the right to adopt Jade.
She was aware that arriving ten minutes late might not help her case or give the judge a good impression of her. Marilyn Phillips had told her to be prompt, as if she didn’t already have enough to make her anxious. Deanna finally located the room and, as she expected, found the door closed.
“Where are we going?” Jade asked.
“Remember, I told you we’re going to a special meeting?”
“How come?”
“Because we have to talk with Marilyn Phillips and a very important judge.”
As Deanna reached for the door handle, Jade held back, pulling on her hand. “Jade, we’re late. What’s the matter?”
“Deanna, do you have to go to jail?”
Deanna stared at Jade. “Where did you get that idea?”
“That’s what the judge did to my daddy. I don’t want you to go,” Jade said fearfully.
Deanna hugged her, forgetting about the time. Forgetting about the proceeding … and the outcome. “Jade, I promise you I’m not going to jail.”
“You won’t leave me?”
The one thing Deanna had been fighting since she’d gotten up that morning was the urge to indulge in a desperate and prolonged fit of crying. Jade’s heartbreaking plea just about did her in. If being censored for inadequately caring for Jade weren’t a real possibility, she might have found Jade’s fear of her going to jail endearingly funny. She smiled brightly.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said, skating around the truth.
Marilyn Phillips was standing at the front of the chamber and addressing the small gathering when Deanna and Jade entered. Everyone turned to look at her.
“I apologize for being late,” Deanna said, quickly ushering Jade into a row of chairs at the back.
“Ms. Lindsay, would you mind coming forward with Jade?” Judge Horton directed.
Deanna’s stomach churned. She glanced at all the expectant faces around her for some indication as to what would happen next. Marilyn Phillips and Ida Levine appeared more confident than Deanna felt. Joy was looking officious and not giving anything away. Faith Lindsay was sitting in the front row, her expression watchful. Deanna knew that Patterson was finishing his last tour and would be late. Betts was not present.
At the front of the room the judge leaned forward and smiled down at Jade.
“Good morning.”
“Hi,” Jade murmured, sidling closer to Deanna.
“Jade, I’d like you to go into that next room with this man”—she pointed to a court officer—“while I have a talk with Ms. Lindsay. Can you do that for me?”
Jade hesitated, glancing at Deanna. “Please don’t put Deanna in jail.”
Deanna groaned and closed her eyes. Subdued laughter rippled through the small room.
The judge looked down at some papers and adjusted her glasses to hide her amusement. “Jade, I want you to know that you don’t have to worry about that at all. I’m not going to send Deanna away.”
Jade was escorted out by the judge’s clerk, and Deanna found herself standing alone in front of the judge.
“Sit down, Ms. Lindsay. Mrs. Phillips was just giving her official evaluation as to Jade’s development and adjustment to her mother’s death over the past three months.”
Deanna sat down next to her mother and was taken completely by surprise when Faith briefly squeezed her hands. Joy gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
As she listened to Marilyn Phillips’s comments, Deanna felt some of her anxiety lift. Marilyn had given her high praise. After Marilyn sat down, the judge read from another report.
“As was stated in official documents, the family of the deceased, Stacy Lowell, has been located. However, after a complete briefing about Ms. Lowell’s life for the past eight years, during which time the family has had no contact with her, the family has indicated no desire to assume any responsibility for Ms. Lowell’s daughter. They have further agreed to sign documents stating they permanently relinquish any claim to Jade and will not interfere in her placement with another caretaker.”
The judge looked up once more when the door opened.
“I’m sorry I’m late, everybody.”
Deanna heard Betts’s slightly winded voice behind her, but she didn’t turn around.
“I can only go as fast as these ol’ legs will move me.”
“And you are?” the judge asked patiently.
“I’m Mrs. Bettina Butler, Your Honor. I’m a friend of Deanna’s … and I just adore Jade.”
Laughter broke out again.
“Who’s that?” Faith whispered to Deanna.
It occurred to Deanna that her mother didn’t know half of what had gone on in the past twelve weeks. “That’s the woman who used to baby-sit Jade—she’s almost like a surrogate grandmother. She’s Patterson’s grandmother.”
“And who’s Patterson?”
Deanna grinned. “He’s the man I’m in love with.”
“What!” Faith exclaimed, drawing the judge’s attention.
“Ssshhh,” Deanna cautioned her mother. “I’ll tell you later.”
“Let’s see if we can finish this proceeding sometime today,” the judge said, continuing with her recitation. “Second, there is the question of the parental rights of Jade’s natural father, Marcus Lowell. Mr. Lowell has recently been released from jail …”
The judge was interrupted by the court clerk, who handed her a folder. She took a moment to peruse the top sheet.
“However, I have just been handed a police report stating that Mr. Lowell is once again in police custody for a variety of crimes, including the suspected kidnapping of his own daughter.”
“Lord, have mercy,” Betts sighed from the back of the room.
“It has been recommended, and will likely be upheld by state court, that Mr. Lowell be denied parental custody and all future contact with his daughter.” She put the papers down. “That leaves me with the decision as to what to do with Jade.”
“Your Honor,” Joy called out, standing up. “I represent Deanna Lindsay in a petition to request permanent custody of Jade. You’ve heard from Jade’s caseworker that Deanna has not only done a wonderful job of taking care of Jade, but she has also come to love Jade very much.”
“It’s true, Your Honor. She even told me so.” Betts spoke up again.
“Who is that woman?” Faith demanded of Deanna, sotto voce.
“Isn’t she wonderful?” Deanna said.
“Yes, I have the petition,” the judge said. “I see no problem with it, but of course it’s subject to a state review and judgment. A final decision will most likely be made by the end of June.”
“I object!” Faith said, jumping to her feet. “It’s ridiculous to keep a six-year-old child waiting that long to find out where she’s going to live and who’s going to care for her.”
The judge sighed. “I take it you’re a friend of Ms. Lindsay and you love Jade, too?”
“I’m Deanna’s mother,” Faith demurred, preening at the implied compliment that she was not old enough to be Deanna’s mother. “And I’ve watched that child blossom in her care.”
“I can certainly attest to that, Judge Horton,” Mrs. Levine said.
“Me, too,” a deep male voice chimed in.
Now Deanna did turn around. It was Patterson, who quietly entered the chamber and took a seat next to Betts. He looked quasi-formal in slacks and a sports jacket, and so handsome that Deanna felt pride and joy bring a smile to her lips. He winked at her, and her smile broadened.
“Okay, I get the picture,” Judge Horton said with a chuckle. She closed the folder and turned to Faith. “Mrs. Lindsay … everyone … I appreciate your obvious concern and support for Ms. Lindsay and Jade. It’s admirable. You all feel that Jade should stay with Ms. Lindsay, and you support her petition. I’m inclined to agree.”
A collective sigh swept the room.
“As I said, however, there is still the state court’s decision to be heard. But until then, I am ordering that Jade Taylor Lowell remain in the care of her court-appointed guardian, Deanna Lindsay, with the recommendation that Ms. Lindsay be granted permanent guardianship through adoption.”
Outside the judge’s chambers laughter, hugs, and kisses were abundant. Jade, in particular, loved the attention she was getting, and Deanna enjoyed seeing her so happy.
Marilyn Phillips and Ida Levine were genuinely pleased with the way the hearing had gone.
“This is one of our happier outcomes,” Mrs. Levine confessed.
She and Marilyn offered congratulations all around before returning to their offices. Marilyn had already indicated that she would continue as Jade’s caseworker until the state decision was handed down. Joy hugged Deanna, promising to share all her notes on how to raise a child in ten easy lessons. She even gave Patterson a surprise peck on the cheek, leaving him dumbfounded.
Faith, with her usual presumption, introduced herself to Patterson, studying him closely.
“Deanna never told me about you.”
“Well, she never told me about you, either.”
“I’m not surprised,” Faith said dryly. “Did I hear right? She told me she’s in love with you.”
Patterson did an admirable job of keeping his cool. “I’m in love with her, too. Do I have your permission to court her?”
Faith broke out in surprised and delighted laughter. She patted his arm. “Oh, I like you.”
Deanna bent and kissed Betts’s soft cheek. “Thanks for coming today. It means so much to me and Jade.”
“Well, I told Pat that even if he had to carry me on his back, I wasn’t goin’ to miss this hearing. I want to see that child in a good home, and I know you can give her one.”
“And I promise I’ll learn to cook.”
Betts laughed and turned her attention to Jade, who wanted to know if she could wear the necklace that Betts had on. Betts promptly took it off and, winding it into a double strand, placed it over her head.
Over the noise and exuberance Deanna and Patterson exchanged a look. They walked toward each other slowly, stopping within a mere foot of one another.
“Still afraid of me?” Deanna asked softly.
He grinned, reaching for her hand. Boldly he leaned close to kiss her on the lips. Behind them, Jade giggled.
“I’m getting over it,” he admitted.
“I think we should do something about it.”
He arched a brow. “When?”
“Whenever.”
“Tonight?”
“I’ll arrange for a baby-sitter.”
He stepped closer and kissed her again.
“And then what?” Patterson asked, enjoying the sparring.
“And then I’m all yours.”
“Ms. Lindsay, before you leave, the judge needs to have you sign something,” the clerk called out from the chamber door.
“Coming,” Deanna said. She smiled warmly at Patterson, released his hand, and hurried away down the hall.
Patterson watched her walk away, still feeling a bit dazed at how things had developed and where they seemed to be headed. All in all, it was pretty amazing.
He was going to be best man at the wedding of his eighty-two-year-old grandmother.
He had a son he was going to spend time with in August.
He waited patiently for Deanna to return. He knew now without a doubt.
She was the one.
Acknowledgments
MY SINCERE THANKS to the following people, who were generous with both their time and expertise:
Diane Gilroy, of the Association of Children’s Services in New York City, who navigated me through the myriad of details about this agency created for the care and protection of children.
Laura Kapnick, Director of Library Services at CBS Network offices in New York. I appreciated the tour and the sharing of perspective from one of my professional colleagues.
Kenneth M. Stanley for his insights on jazz.
Captain Don Ubell of Engine Company 52 in Riverdale, where I live. I not only had a chance to interview Captain Ubell but watched him with his team in action as they left me in mid-question to respond to a real alarm!
Daniel Keane, Ladder 1, New York City Fire Department, for providing me with the inside details and many terrific anecdotes about being a fireman. His E-mails were great!
Lorinda Klein, Director of Public Affairs at Bellevue Hospital, who arranged for me to tour the City Morgue with morgue manager Felix Velazquez.
And finally, to Chief Fire Marshall Louis F. Garcia, who brought the heroism to life with stories from his career with the Fire Department.
You all made the research not only informative, but fun.
About the Author
Sandra Kitt is the author of more than twenty novels, including The Color of Love, Significant Others, and Close Encounters, as well as numerous short stories. Her work has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award and has appeared on the Essence and Blackboard bestseller lists. She is the recipient of the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. A native New Yorker, Kitt previously worked as a graphic designer, creating cards for UNICEF, illustrating books, and exhibiting her own work, which is included in the collection of the Museum of African American Art in Los Angeles. She formerly served as the managing director of the Richard S. Perkin Collection in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.
All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2001 by Sandra Kitt
Cover design by Mumtaz Mustafa
ISBN: 978-1-4804-3881-1
This edition published in 2013 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
180 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
www.openroadmedia.com
SANDRA KITT
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