May 15th...

Chole's POV:

  I get up and get ready. It is today, the big court date. I am nervous. I am not sure why. 

  I  already called my father and he is on the way to pick up Sarah. I thought it best she did not tag along. It was adult stuff was all I had told her.

   I was scared to say more because anything could happen.

   I wore the Bee necklace under my outfit. I smiled. Nathaniel, is one great guy.

   I grab my purse and as soon as my father picks up Sarah, I go to the courthouse.

    Once inside, the place, I go through the checkpoint. I am given the all-clear.  I enter the courtroom. I sit in the defendant's chair. I wait for the others to arrive.

   I  see the judge arrive, and then my lawyer, the lawyer for the man who claims to be Sarah's uncle, her alleged uncle, and a few others enter the courtroom. 

 I listen to what the judge has to say. I do not say a word to interrupt him. I have every intention to be respectful of the courtroom officials.

   "We must argue that the child could use both a stable home with a mother and a father to support her and meet her every need,"  The lawyer for the alleged uncle claims.

     My lawyer argues, "That may be true and good, but what about the best interest of the orphanage girl?  Sarah Jane Phillips is the one who is being brought up. My client is a decent citizen and a prime candidate for Sarah's mother. I see no reason to keep her from caring for Sarah."

   I am relieved. I listen to the arguing back and forth. I admit I am a bit worried. All the people sound like they make some valid points. I can not think of a reason to say otherwise.

      I  struggle with not running out of there, waiting, for the court's decision.

   "We the court find Chole Bougerious capable of maintaining a more than adequate home for the child. We believe it would be best if she had someone equally capable to help her with the child's upbringing.  So, we award the guardianship of Sarah Jane Phillips to Chole Bougerious from this day forth, but should she fail to find a proper helper by the next court date then it shall be terminated," The judge said.

  I left feeling half-defeated. I have to find someone suitable to help me raise her. Like who?

  I am not married. I have no idea who they think would count as a suitable helper.  I sigh as I  pick Sarah up from my father's place. I do not say a word to her about the outcome. I see no sense in troubling her.

  Once home, I  hand Sarah her coloring book and crayons. She starts to color a unicorn. I smile as I watch her and take her picture with the camera on my phone.

      Nathaniel's text..."Chole, how is everything going?"

   My text..."The trial was crazy.  I was given temporary custody of  Sarah. I was told I must find suitable help by the next trial date, or I could lose guardianship."

       Nathaniel's text... "What? It sounds like they threatened you. That is not good. How dare they blackmail you?" 

        My text..."I am not sure who a suitable helper is. They did not explain that too well."

        Nathaniel's text..."I am sorry, Chole."

        My text..."For what?"

     Nathaniel's text..."Everything, but especially for this, the court should have threatened to take her from you. Let alone insisted you find a helper."

      My text..."I know, but they did. Also, they called the helper, 'someone equally capable' to help with the upbringing."  

       Nathaniel's text..." Bee, I will be right over."

            I did not argue with him. I knew he was right. How could I get the court to agree? The next trial was not that far away either. It was only six months away. How could anyone expect me to find a helper by then?   I gasp. Wait, the court doesn't want me to find any helper, they want me to find a mate. Oh, my goodness, they want to force me to marry someone.

      But I can't. I do not love anyone that way. Not romantically anyway.  What do I do?

          I   stand by the door trying not to let on that anything is wrong.  The bell rings, and I see it is him. I open it.  I pull him inside before he changes his mind about coming. I close the door, locking it afterward.

             "Chole, I  came as soon as I could, darling,  Nathaniel says.

               "Nath, oh, Nath," I say. I sob as he holds me. The tears soaking his shirt.  

       Nathaniel grabs my hand and takes me to the guest room.  Sarah is busy reading a book and does not look up even once.

         "Nath," I whisper.

      "Chole, I am sorry," He says. He holds me close.

     I continue to sob. His shirt getting most of the tears. 

     I look at him seeing the pain and love in his eyes. "N-Nath?" 

    "Bee, I love you.  I am here for you. I can't force you to accept me," Nathaniel says. He looks into my eyes.

      I find I can't look away. I kiss him. He kisses me. He pulls away. "D-don't, I know you are not interested in me." He says sadly.

 I feel so confused. I thought he wanted me to kiss him. Why is he upset? Did I do it wrong? 

  I should have known. I never was good at relationships.  

   "Nath, please, I have a proposition," I tell him.  I see his eyes widen. I explain what I think might work. I suggest he marry me and let me take his name so that he can help me raise Sarah.

     "I could not possibly, " He says.

  "Why not? You are my best friend, you have got to help me. You can't let them take Sarah from me." I plead with him.

   "I know, but I do not want to marry you because some court says you need a suitable and equally capable person to raise Sarah," He says.

        "I -I don't understand," I tell him.

"Chole, I love you. If I marry you, I want it to be because you love me. It must not be because of a forced arrangement brought on by the court system," Nathaniel answers.

      I look away as more tears fall. I am going to lose them both. Sarah will be taken from me and he will leave me too. All the good ones always find an excuse to leave.

      Nathaniel wraps his arms around me. "Chole, don't cry. I hate to see you cry." He kisses the back of my neck.   

     I am not sure why, but I like it. I never did with anyone else. 

I close my eyes. I feel him spin me around in his arms.

 "Chole?" He whispers my name.  "y-yes?" I mutter.  He kisses my cheek.

     "I will text you later, Good night Bee." He says. Then, he leaves.

    I stood there blushing. I  should have called after him. I did not.

   Why?  I am not sure. I suppose I am a loser.

I went downstairs and fixed Sarah and me some food.

  After the meal, I hugged her.  Sarah hugged me. "Mom, that was the best spaghetti," She says. I smile. 

    "Glad, you liked it," I say.

    "Did you and Mr. Nathaniel, fight?" Sarah asks.

    "No, we didn't fight," I assure her. "Good, because he loves us both so much," Sarah says.

       Sarah sees my tears. "Mom, why are you sad?"  She asks. "It is nothing," I say. 

          "I am sorry," Sarah says. She takes a hand and slowly rubs my back gently.

             "You don't have to be sorry," I say.

       "Mom, I know you went to court for me. I shouldn't have listened, but when you called Grandpa I did. I am sorry.  You must be upset because I was not good and now..." Sarah starts to sob too.

      "Shh, Sarah, you are a good girl, and it is not your fault," I say.

   "You sure?" She asks.

"Yes, I am sure. I just had a bad day that is all," I remark.

    Sarah stops crying. "I am glad you want me to be your daughter, Mom." 

      "I am glad you want to be my child," I say.

   The story continues in Chapter 20

Until then,

bye-bye,

little owlets!

Summer out!

Author's note:  Sarah, the poor child is caught up in all the chaos. Chole is sad because she does not have a man to help her raise Sarah, and she worries the law will take her from her in six months.

        What do you think happens next?