“If I were you, I’d go in with my head up and smile as if nothing were wrong.”
It had been good advice that day. She would follow it again. Putting her shoulders back, she pasted a smile on her face and nodded. “It is in God’s hands.”
“Indeed it is. I will do most of the talking. You may answer any questions the judge directs at you. Have him repeat it if you don’t understand.”
“Will Kyle be here?”
“He won’t be in the courtroom, but it’s my understanding that he will be nearby.”
“Will I be able to see him if the judge rules against me?”
“Let’s cross that bridge if we come to it. Are you ready to go in?”
Fear closed her throat. All she could do was nod.
Mr. Reid held the door open. The room beyond was paneled from floor to ceiling in rich dark wood. At the front, the judge’s bench stood on a raised platform. A large round seal was centered on the wall behind it. Flanking the seal were two flags, the United States flag and the Ohio State flag.
It wasn’t until she took a step inside the room that she realized she wasn’t alone. The few dark wooden benches were filled with Amish elders. Around the outside of the room, three deep, stood more Amish men and women waiting quietly, some with small children at their sides or in their arms.
Many of the faces she knew from her own church district, but there were many people who were unknown to her. Faith stood rooted to the spot. What were they all doing here? As she gazed about, one man stepped forward from the group and walked toward her.
Adrian.
Her heart turned over in her chest. Tears blurred her vision. When he said he wouldn’t help she had been crushed. Why was he here now? Had these people come to denounce her?
She stiffened her spine. “Adrian, what are you doing here? Who are all these people?”
“These are your friends and your neighbors and the people you will do business with in the years to come. We are here to speak for you and for our way of life. The Amish way is a goot way for Kyle to grow up. He may have been Englisch when he came among us, but he is Amish in his heart and so are you. The judge must understand this. You do not have to face this alone, Faith. We stand with you.”
In that moment, Faith could not have loved him more. He had done this for her, gathered together people to speak on her behalf. “Danki.”
“You are welcome, liebschen.”
The heat of a blush crept up her neck. “How can you call me dearest when you know I was ready to turn my back on our faith?”
He took her hand. “Because I must speak what is in my heart. Listen to God, Faith, and then speak what your heart says is right.”
Mr. Reid spoke in Faith’s ear. “We should take our places. It’s almost time to begin.”
Letting go of Adrian’s hand was one of the hardest things she’d ever done in her life. He gave her fingers one last squeeze and then went back to his place beside Elam Sutter and Eli Imhoff.
Her attorney led her to a small table just behind the railing that separated the judge’s bench from the rest of the courtroom. Caroline Watkins sat at an identical table on the opposite side of the aisle. She nodded politely to Mr. Reid but didn’t speak as she opened her briefcase and pulled out several files.
Faith sank gratefully onto the chair Mr. Reid held out for her but had no time to gather her thoughts. The bailiff at the side of the bench called out, “All rise for the Honorable Judge Randolph Harbin presiding.”
A small man with silver hair entered from the door behind the bench. He wore a dark suit and a bright green striped tie.
He paused for a second to survey the packed room in surprise before stepping up and taking a seat behind the bench. He beckoned to the bailiff, and the two men shared a brief whispered conversation.
When the judge was ready, he spoke to the entire room. “This is a hearing on the petition of Faith Martin to adopt the minor child, Kyle King. Is Mrs. Martin here?”
Her attorney rose to his feet. “She is, Your Honor.”
“Very good. Miss Watkins, I understand you represent the child for the State of Ohio.”
She rose also. “I do, Your Honor.”
“Good, then let us proceed.” The judge leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands together. “Mrs. Martin, it is my understanding that you wish to adopt Kyle King and that you are his only living relative. Tell me a little bit about your circumstances and your wish to adopt Kyle.”
Faith’s pulse hammered like a drum in her ears. She expected it to leap from her chest at any second. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Adrian standing with his arms crossed over his chest, just the way he had been standing the first time she’d seen him outside her door. He nodded once and lifted his thumb. He believed she could do this. She believed because he did.
She rose to her feet and faced the judge. “Your Honor, I am Kyle’s aunt. His father was my only brother. I can’t tell you how much Kyle reminds me of him. Every day he says something or does something, and I see my brother all over again. I loved my brother and I love his child. I love Kyle’s smile and his sense of humor. I love the feel of his hand in mine when we cross the street together. I know he loves me, too. I would do anything for him.”
“I see that you are Amish, as are the many people you have brought to support you.”
Faith heard a voice say, “If I may speak, Your Honor?”
She turned to see Bishop Zook rise from a seat behind her.
The judge arched an eyebrow. “And you are?”
“I am Bishop Joseph Zook. Mrs. Martin did not ask us to come today. We heard that this good woman might lose custody of her nephew because she holds to our ways. We wish only the chance to say that our ways are not simple and backward as some may think.”
“I am very familiar with the Amish and their ways. My grandfather was Amish but left the church. Had he not, chances are I would be a farmer or furniture maker and not a judge. You’ll have your chance to speak after I’ve heard from everyone else. Thank you.”
The bishop resumed his seat. Judge Harbin said, “Miss Watkins, you’ve investigated this case. I have read your report, but would you summarize your findings for the court, please?”
She looked at Faith sadly. “No matter how much I wish I could say having Kyle stay with his aunt would be in his best interest, I simply can’t do it. Kyle’s father left the Amish faith and chose to raise his son in the modern world. He had money put aside for his son’s college education. If Kyle were to grow up with his aunt, he would only receive an eighth grade education.”
The judge turned his pen end over end. “The ability of a parent to provide higher education is not a prerequisite for adoption. Are you sure you’re not letting your personal feelings on the subject influence you?”
“I don’t believe I am, Your Honor. My job is to do what’s best for him. Kyle has had significant difficulty adjusting to an Amish home. They live without electricity, something he’s never done before. He has run away at least three times that I know of. The last time put him in great danger. I feel an Amish farm environment is simply too dangerous for this young boy who has grown up without any experience around machinery and animals. Now, if Mrs. Martin would agree to move into town and enroll Kyle in the public school, I think he would be much happier. I also think it would make his adjustment to living with his aunt much easier. I would agree to a new trial period of six months if this were the case.”
“I see. Mrs. Martin, would you be agreeable to such a move?”
These were the words Faith dreaded hearing. She could keep Kyle if she gave up her faith, or she could stay true to her faith and perhaps lose the child she loved.
Please, God, let this be the right decision.
She shook her head. “Nee, I would not. She wishes me to raise Kyle in an Englisch home with electricity so that he might have television and video games to play with. Yes, he is used to such things, but they do not make a home. A home is a place where a chi
ld is loved and raised to know and love God.”
She studied the judge’s face, but she could not tell what he was thinking. He began reading the documents before him, turning each page slowly. After a few minutes, he looked toward Bishop Zook. “Bishop, what is it that you would like to say to this court today?”
The bishop rose to his feet again. “I would ask that Adrian Lapp speak for us today.”
Adrian came forward and stood beside the bishop. “I have come to know both Faith Martin and her nephew, Kyle. It is true that Kyle has had a hard time adjusting, but it is not because he can’t watch television. It’s because he is afraid to love his aunt. He’s afraid God will take her away as He did his parents.”
Miss Watkins spoke up. “Your Honor, this man is not a child psychologist.”
“But I am a man who knows about loss and about the fear of losing someone if I allowed myself to love again. I lost my wife and then my son when he was only five years old. But I lost more than my family. I lost my faith. I no longer trusted God. I was afraid to love again just as Kyle is afraid. But God brought Kyle into my life to show me how wrong I’ve been.”
Adrian turned to Faith. “I see now that loving someone is never wrong, be it for a little while or for a lifetime.”
She bit her lip to keep from crying.
He faced Miss Watkins. “By taking Kyle away from Faith, you are proving him right. Don’t take away the person he is afraid to love. Let him come to know God’s goodness and mercy. Let him find the strength to love again.”
The judge laid his papers aside and rubbed his chin. “You speak very eloquently, Mr. Lapp. I appreciate your in-sight. Miss Watkins, would you have the boy brought to my chambers?”
She objected. “Your Honor, the child is barely six years old. He’s far too young to know what is in his best interest.”
“That’s true, but that’s not what I’m going to ask him about. Mrs. Martin, will you and your attorney join me in my chambers? Mr. Lapp, I’d like you there, as well.”
“Yes, Your Honor.” Mr. Reid gathered his papers together and closed his briefcase.
The bailiff called out, “All rise.”
When the judge left the room, Faith turned to look at her attorney. “Is this a good thing?”
“I’m not sure, but let’s not keep him waiting.” Mr. Reid held out his hand, indicating Faith should precede him.
Chapter Seventeen
Together, Faith, Adrian and her attorney entered a spacious office situated just beyond the courtroom. The same dark paneling lined the walls except where floor-to-ceiling bookcases jutted out. They held hundreds of thick books bound in dark red, green and gray.
“I’ll have you three sit over there.” Judge Harbin indicated a group of brown leather chairs near the windows. He then proceeded to make himself comfortable on a matching leather sofa in the middle of the room. Before it sat a low coffee table. It held an elaborate chess set with figures carved from dark and light woods.
The door to the outside hallway opened, and Miss Watkins came in holding Kyle by the hand. Faith’s heart contracted with joy at the sight of Kyle’s face. She longed to race across the room and snatch him up in a fierce hug. She made herself sit still. When Kyle saw her, he tore away from Miss Watkins and launched himself into Faith’s arms.
Tears blurred her vision. She whispered, “I have missed you terribly.”
His voice shook as he said, “I’m sorry I ran away. I won’t do it again.”
Adrian laid a hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “You are forgiven.”
Faith stroked his hair. “I’m just happy you are safe.”
Miss Watkins took the child by the hand and said, “Kyle, I have someone you need to meet. This is Judge Harbin and he has a few questions for you.”
Faith and Kyle reluctantly released each other. She said, “Go and talk to the judge. I’ll be right here.”
“Promise?” There was such pleading in his eyes that it broke Faith’s heart.
“I promise,” she managed to whisper past the lump in her throat.”
Kyle allowed Miss Watkins to lead him away. Adrian took Faith’s hand and held it between his strong, warm fingers.
The judge patted the cushion beside him. “Have a seat, young man.”
Kyle glanced at Faith. She nodded to tell him it was okay. The boy climbed on the sofa and propped his hands on his thighs. Miss Watkins took a seat near Faith.
The judge leaned toward Kyle. “My name is Randolph Harbin. These people have to call me Your Honor, but you can call me Randy. Kyle, do you know what a judge is?”
He pondered a second or two, then said, “A guy who sends people to jail?”
“Some judges do send people to jail, but I’m not that kind of judge. I’m the kind of judge who decides what’s best for kids like you. Do you know how to play chess?”
Kyle shook his head.
“I guess you’re a little young for that. How about checkers?”
The boy’s eyes lit up as he nodded quickly and pointed toward the windows. “Adrian has been teaching me.”
The judge swept the chess pieces from the board and set it between him and Kyle. From a drawer beneath the coffee table, he pulled out a stack of red and white disks and offered them both to the boy. “Tell me how you know Adrian.”
After choosing the red pieces, Kyle began placing them on the board. “He’s our neighbor. He’s helping me become Amish so the boys at school will stop teasing me.”
Judge Harbin slowly laid out his pieces. “Do they tease you a lot?”
“Not as much as they first did. Anna Imhoff gets mad at them if they do.”
“And who is Anna?”
“She’s my friend. She doesn’t make fun of me because I can’t speak Pennsylvania Dutch. She says her friend, Jonathan, can’t speak it either and he’s a grown-up. She’s giving us both lessons. I can say a few things. Do you want to hear?”
“Sure.”
“Mamm means mother. Dat means dad. Grossmammi is grandmother. Velkumm is welcome.”
“I’m impressed with what you’ve learned so far. Has your aunt been helping you?”
“Lots.”
“I imagine she’s a very good cook. What kind of things do you like to eat?”
“Have you ever had shoofly pie? It’s the best. Aunt Faith makes it for me twice a week.”
“I like mine with a tall glass of milk.”
“Me, too!” Faith smiled at the amazement in Kyle’s voice. She squeezed Adrian’s hand.
“Do you have a pet at your aunt’s house?” the judge asked.
Kyle grinned and folded his arms over his chest. “Yes, but it’s not a cat and it’s not a dog. I bet you can’t guess what it is.”
“Is it a horse or a baby calf?”
“Nope. It’s a baby alpaca. I bet you never would have guessed that.”
“Never in a million years.”
“A baby alpaca is called a cria. Mine is black. Aunt Faith let me name him Shadow. When we sell his fleece, I get to keep all the money.”
“You sound as if you really love your aunt.”
Kyle’s shoulders slumped. He glanced from the judge to Faith, then down at his feet. In a tiny voice he said, “Not too much.”
Faith pressed her fingers to her lips. Her heart ached for Kyle.
The judge moved a checker. “How much would be too much?”
“I don’t know.” His voice got smaller.
“You don’t know or you don’t want to tell me?”
“I don’t want to tell you.”
“Why not?”
“’Cause I don’t want God to hear.”
“You don’t want God to hear that you love your aunt?”
Kyle held a finger to his lips. “Shh! If God thinks I love her, something bad will happen.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because I told Mommy and Daddy I loved them when they left me at school and then God took them away. God wanted them in heaven instea
d of with me. He’s very mean.”
“I’m sure it must seem that way to you, but He isn’t.”
“He’s not?”
“No. In this job, I talk to God all the time.”
“You do?”
“Absolutely. I need His help to make good decisions. Sometimes those decisions are very hard, but I believe His will guides me.”
“Would you ask him to bring my parents back? I really miss them.”
Faith squeezed Adrian’s hand. Poor Kyle. He had suffered so much. She only wanted to hold him and make the hurt go away.
The judge shook his head. “I know you miss them, but they can’t come back. They are watching over you. Right this very minute. God is watching over you, too.”
“That’s what Aunt Faith says.”
“Kyle, God has His own way of arranging our lives. Things happen that we don’t like, that frighten us and make us sad, but He loves us, just as your parents loved you. Now, since I talk to God all the time, is there anything you’d like me to tell Him?”
Kyle glanced toward Faith. She read the indecision and the longing in his eyes. He turned back to the judge. “Tell God I want to stay with Aunt Faith and not to take her away to heaven.”
Judge Harbin patted Kyle’s head, then said, “Miss Watkins, would you take Kyle out to the courtroom and wait for me there? Counselor, you and Mrs. Martin may return to the courtroom, too.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“What does this mean?” Faith glanced at her attorney, but he simply shrugged.
Adrian helped her to her feet. “Be brave. It is in God’s hands.”
When everyone was assembled in the courtroom again, Judge Harbin motioned to Kyle. “Come up here, young man.”
Hesitantly, Kyle walked up and stood beside the bench. Judge Harbin picked up his gavel. “Kyle, do you know what this is?”
“A hammer.”
“It’s called a gavel. It’s a very powerful tool. If I say, ‘order in the court’ and bang this gavel, everyone has to be silent.”
“Cool.”
“It is way cool. Today, I’m going to let you use my gavel because this is a very special day. It’s a day you will always remember. Today, we are going to change your name to Kyle King Martin. Do you know why?”
The Farmer Next Door Page 18
