The day of my court date arrived. I got dressed quickly. Devin and his grandmaw were going to attend the hearing. "Stop fussing with your hair, you look beautiful." Devin said. "I'm sorry i'm just so nervous." I said fussing with it more. "Look your lawyer said things looked good for you its going to be OK." I had failed to mention to Devin about them finding me another home in a different state. I didn't want to spoil things yet. We walked out to his grandmother's car. 

                                The drive to the court house was pretty quiet. Devin grabbed my hand. "It's going to be ok." He said reassuringly. We pulled in. My nerves were going a mile a minute. I walked inside and found Ms. Jean and Mr Grant sitting int the front row and i took a seat next to them to wait for the trial to began. 

                              My mom's lawyer called me to the stand first. "Jess, how was your mom when you were younger? Was she a good mom?" He asked. I nodded. "yea she was a pretty good mom." "Did she ever hit you?" He asked. I shook me head no. "I mean my mom maybe spanked me a time or to." I said. "Did you deserve it. "Sure." I said. "Ok so if your mom went through an intense bout of therapy and rehab. Do you not think your mom could've gotten better? Are you saying those people can't do there job?" He asked. "No not at all, i'm sure they are perfectly find. I just know my mom. And even if she is better i have a right to say no. I do not feel safe and you sir shouldn't force me..." The judge banged his gavel. "Sorry." I said. I guess i was kind of antagonizing the lawyer.

                   My lawyer got up on the stand next. "Can you tell us exactly what your mother did?" He asked. "Sure, my mother beat me. To many times to count. She married a guy who tried..who tried to rape me several times and she knew about it. She didn't kick him out." My voice quivered. I looked over at my mom and her face was expressionless. "So how long did this go on for?" He asked. "Three years." I said. "And how long did your mom go to rehab for?" He asked. "Six months." "Do you think six months is enough time to make up for three years?" He asked. "No i don't, it's hardly enough time for her to get better as she claims." "Ok, now your mom wants to get custody. Is that something you would like?" He asked. "Not in a million years.

             My mom's lawyer questioned my mother. "Can you please tell the courts, what did you do in therapy and rehab?" He asked. "Well  i had to go to therapy everyday. I worked on my anger issues. And i learned that i do not need a man to be happy. That having my baby girl back is all i need." She said. I snickered in my seat. She was so full of it. "Did they give you any medication?" He asked. "Yes, something for my anxiety. Something to help with anger..." "Right, and are you going to keep going to therapy?" He asked. "Yes, and i was hoping my beautiful daughter would come with me so we could keep working on our relationship." She said tearing up at jut the right moment.

                My lawyer was up. I hope he grilled her good. "Can you tell us what you did to your daughter?" He asked. "No more then she already did." She said. "Why won't you tell us?" He asked her. "Because it was a low point in my life and i am extremely embarrassed about how i reacted. I just want my baby back. Surely you can understand that." She said sniffling again. She even dabbed the corners of her eyes with a cloth. "Did you need medication while your first husband was still alive?" He asked. "No." "Then why do you need it now?" He asked. "Because i had a break." "Right and you're saying six months is enough time to be 'fixed'?" He asked. "Well yes, and if i keep going to therapy then i'll be even better." "So When exactly did you get released?" He asked. "Well a few months ago..." "When exactly?" He asked. "Three months ago." "OK so you've only been in rehab about three months total?" He asked. "Well yea i guess so." She said fumbling over her words. "And you feel that's enough time?" He asked. "Well they let me go didn't they?" She asked. "Yes but i don't think they knew you were planning on getting custody." He said.

                     Every body had a chance to speak. The jury deliberated and came back some time later with an answer. "Well from what I and the jury have seen you are an unfit mother." he said looking straight at my mom. "Objection." she said standing up. "You cant object me, i overrule you sit down, now as i was saying. Your unfit you hit your daughter. What is wrong with you?" "I am better now. I told you that." "Lady anybody here can see that you are clearly not better, and are nothing more then a good actress. " "I bed your pardon!" She said defending her self. "Honestly even if the jury had sided in your favor, your daughter gets the last word. And from the looks of it she really doesn't seem to want to live with you." He said. "I am a dang good mother." She said.  "If that were true this wouldn't even be an issue." "So your saying i cant have her back?" She asked still unsure. "I'm saying no, so even if she wanted to she wouldn't be allowed to come live with you. I hereby declare this court dismissed." He said banging his gavel one final time.

                          Ms. Jean gave me a hug. "See honey, it all worked out." My mother walked over. "Can i talk to you?" She asked. "I don't see why not." I said sighing to tired to argue with her. "You're making a big mistake." She said. "Ok." I said sarcastically rolling my eyes. "I mean it, you'll have nobody if you walk away." "Mom the courts already decided i'm not going with you, and by the time you try this little stunt again i'll be eighteen so you can forget about me ever seeing you again." I said. "You can't just shut me out." She said. "Watch me." My mother stormed off and i caught Devins eye. "Sorry." I mouthed. He walked over and wrapped me in a hug. "It's ok." He said. "Are you OK?" He asked. "Better now." I said nodding.

                 We all walked outside into the hot summer sun. "Jess have you given any thought about moving to Tennessee?" Ms Jean asked. I groaned. "Not really, do you need an answer right away?" I asked. "No dear, take your time." I looked at Devin and he looked hurt. Ms Jean waved good bye to all of us and said she be in contact with me soon.