Page 116 of Campus Crush
“Yeah,” she said softly. “It really does.”
FIFTY-EIGHT
The fluorescent lights of the courthouse hallway buzzed overhead, making my already frayed nerves feel even more on edge. I smoothed the front of my navy blue blazer for the tenth time, checking that my blouse was still neatly tucked into my skirt.
“You look fine,” Foster whispered, his hand finding mine and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Better than fine. You look like a sexy librarian.”
I let out a shaky breath. “I need to look like someone who has her life together and can raise a teenager.”
Foster’s thumb traced small circles on the back of my hand, but it didn’t ease my anxiety.
My lawyer, Patricia Winters, approached us with a file folder tucked under her arm. She was a sturdy woman in her fifties with salt-and-pepper hair cut in a practical bob. Gram’s estate lawyer had recommended her, and she’d been giving me guidance on what I needed to show the judge to get guardianship of my brother.
“We’re up in fifteen minutes,” Patricia said. “Judge Harrison is fair but thorough. She’ll want to hear about yourliving arrangements, financial situation, and education plans for Mason.” She glanced at Foster. “It’s good you’re here. Shows family support structure. Did you bring the letters of support from your professors, coach, and past bosses like I requested?”
Foster held up the folder that had letters of support for both of us. Patricia had explained that the court would be most concerned about providing stability and financial support for Mason, so the letters of support were useful in speaking for our character.
I nodded, swallowing hard. “Will Mason need to speak?”
“The judge will likely ask him a few questions, but nothing too intense. His statement about wanting to live with you is already in the file.”
My brother sat across the hallway, looking uncomfortable in the button-up shirt and khakis I’d convinced him to wear. He kept pulling at his collar and checking his phone. When he caught me watching, he gave me a small nod that somehow contained both reassurance and teenage awkwardness.
The doors to the courthouse opened and my heart filled with warmth as Sam, Gordy, Drew, Liam, and Coach Maxwell all walked in.
“What are you guys doing here?”
“Moral support,” Sam said. “No matter what happens today, we’re here for you.”
I was beyond touched, but didn’t have much time to appreciate their presence.
“Case number 47329, Walker guardianship petition,” the bailiff called from the courtroom doorway.
My stomach dropped as Patricia gathered her things. “That’s us. Remember, honest and straightforward. Judge Harrison appreciates direct answers.”
Foster stood with me, giving me a quick kiss on the forehead. “I’ll be right beside you.”
As we filed into the courtroom, I tried to channel the confidence I felt in the tutoring center or when solving a complex engineering problem. This was just another challenge to overcome, another problem with a logical solution. Except it didn’t feel logical—it felt like my entire world and Mason’s future hung in the balance.
I didn’t want to be separated from my brother.
Judge Harrison was a Black woman with elegant silver-streaked dark hair pulled back into a bun. She wore reading glasses perched on the end of her nose as she reviewed the file in front of her. When she looked up, her expression was neutral but not unkind.
“Ms. Walker, I see you’re petitioning for guardianship of your brother, Mason Walker, following the death of your grandmother, Daniella Thomas, who was his legal guardian after your mother, Leila Walker’s passing two years ago.”
“Yes, Your Honor,” I replied, my voice steadier than I expected.
“And you’re twenty-one years old, currently enrolled at Clark Fork University?”
“Yes. I’m in my junior year, studying civil engineering.”
The judge nodded, making a note. “And you’re employed?”
“I work at the university tutoring center and have a paid internship at Holt & Associates Engineering firm in Missoula. My tuition is fully covered under my scholarship.”
Patricia had coached me to be thorough but concise.The judge didn’t need my life story, just the relevant facts to make her decision.
“And your living situation? I see from the file you recently moved Mason from your grandmother’s residence.”
