Cabin Boys - 11. Chapter 11

Before we could discuss that bit of news a little further, we were called back to chambers. I noticed that the man wasn’t there. Our Child Service’s lady was present. The judge remarked on it being a smaller crowd. I sat back with the boys, I had one on each side of me. Sometimes it’s best to keep your mouth shut, this was one of those times. I had to whisper that to Pete several times. The lady from Child Service was quite enthusiastic in describing the bedroom visitation. I was glad we had the bunk beds. When she was finished, Lenny handed the judge and the lady a copy of the transcrip. Then he played it from his recorder. He next gave the judge photos of the room he had taken. The judge asked Child Services if the photos are what she had seen, she said yes. The judge asked her if she made the inspection alone, she said no she had a police officer with her. He asked where is the officer. She said she didn’t think he would be needed. The judge asked for his name, Lenny supplied it. The bailiff left to see if the officer could attend.

He then asked about the petition for custody. “The gentleman, Mr. Alex Mifford, came to my office and said he was the uncle of the children’s father. He had some papers, showing he was the brother of the boys' father. I told him about the hearing today and suggested he attend.”

“Do you know where he went and why he isn’t here?”

“No sir”

“Because of his absence, the court denies his petition. Now, about the guardianship of these boys, I would like to speak with them in my office.” I told the boys to go with the judge. “Answer all of his questions truthfully.”

Now I became nervous, not so much from what the boys would say but just sitting and wondering what they were talking about.

A half-hour later they came out, all smiles. “Mr. Randolf it’s my pleasure to grant your petition. Although the boys want you to adopt them, is that your wish.”

“Yes, your honor, but my attorney thought it best to gain guardianship will we petition for adoption.”

“Mr. Alderson is that your advice.”

“Yes, your honor, recognizing the time it would take to have Child Services to do a thorough investigation, it was my suggestion to proceed with a guardianship first.”

“Mr. Randolf are you ready to adopt these boys now?”

“Yes, your honor”

“Then I see no reason why we can’t do it now. I have spoken to the boys, they speak very highly of you, It’s my understanding one of them calls you dad now, is that correct?”

“Yes, sir”

“The boys have selected their names, so it’s with pleasure I approve of the adoption of Peter Adams Randolf and Joseph Adams Randolf. Mr. Alderson, you can pick up their birth certificates at the clerks' office in a week.”

Our Child Service’s lady wasn’t finished. “Your honor, we haven’t done a thorough investigation of Mr. Randolf. This is highly irregular.”

“Because of your report for guardianship, I think your report for adoption would be highly biased. The court stands adjourned.”

Leaving that courthouse, I was a very happy man. The boys were happy as well, even Pete. “Let’s go and celebrate at Marie’s Cafe.”

That is just what we did. Lenny called Lois and she met us. Marie asked what was the occasion, Joey said we are celebrating our new dad. “Well, in that case, your meal is on the house.” I watched the boys eat, I knew I better learn how to cook Italian style.

My life took on a new experience. Although the boys had been with me several months, there was always that barrier that I felt. Without some sort of legal recognition, I couldn’t always act in the boys' best interest. At least in my mind, they could leave anytime they wanted and I felt I had no legal means to stop them. Now I had a family, the love I felt for these boys told me we were in a special bond.

Joey started school, he slipped in right where he left off from living on the farm. Pete needed to catch up. I hired a tutor to help him. The school recommended a retired teacher who was a substitute for them. It worked out perfectly, she would visit three times a week and Pete could communicate with her over the internet. By the end of the first semester, he was ready to attend his age-appropriate class. One change, Pete wanted to be called Peter, and Joey following wanted to be called Joseph. I assumed this was a result of the names they were called in school.

In the Spring, we went to the cabin to open it for the summer. Jeff and his son went with us, he was three now. Peter wanted to see his shack, so we stopped on the way out. I looked at Peter, there were tears in his eyes. The shack had collapsed and it looked like someone or something went through it. I think he realized he couldn’t have lived there in the winter. I put my arm around his shoulders. “You know we own the woods at the back of our property.” He looked at me and smiled. The farm was still there, and it looked like a couple of boys were working in a garden. The county settled for a lump sum. Lenny suggested we take it, so I did. Riding home, I remembered that first time I took the boys home. I wasn’t sure what would happen, but I knew I couldn’t let the boys stay in that shack. Jeff said it was providence that made me go back that time I found the boys. Maybe it was, I won’t deny it.