Episode 61: Scene Five
Christian's knees wobbled under him as he rose. The judge was making her way back into the courthouse to deliver the final verdict in the case that had taken up the greater part of Christian's life over the past couple of months. He was thrilled at the fact that it would finally be over, but part of him didn't want to hear the ruling...his final judgement.
"You may be seated."
Christian sat and put his chin on top of his clasped hands. He felt like he was going to vomit all over the tiled floor in front of everybody, but by some force he was able to keep his anxiety within the confines of his stomach.
"Before I issue my ruling, I'd like to say a couple of things," the judge said, her eyes serious and forbidding. "First, I hate custody cases. I find it hard to comprehend that two people cannot be mature enough to work out their differences for the sake of their children. It is quite obvious that these children are dealing with emotions that they shouldn't have to deal with in relation to their family.
"Christian's testimony and outburst only confirmed my suspicions that life in the Harris home has been less than desirable. It pains me to think that these poor children have to suffer the consequences of their parents' faults," the woman paused. She placed the tips of her fingers together in a pyramid and shook her head. "With that said, I will now deliver my verdict."
Christian had been touched by the tough woman's words. He believed wholeheartedly everything that she had said, and wished that his parents could only see that they were hurting their children more than helping them. His stomach knotted up as the judge opened her mouth to issue her ruling.
"I find that Christian and Sandi Harris be placed in the custody of," the woman paused before proceeding. "Sarah Harris."
"Oh my God!" Sarah shrieked, springing to her feet. "Thank you! Thank you!"
"However," the judge interrupted Sarah's rejoicing, "Nelson Harris will have visitation rights which are to be determined by both parents. If you two cannot work it out, then I will do it for you, and you don't want me to do that."
"Yes, thank you. Thank you so much," Sarah was so excited she nearly blew kisses at the gray-haired woman.
"This court is adjourned."
The realization of what had been going on for months as well as the realization that he wasn't going to live with his father anymore struck Christian down hard. Christian flew to his father's side and threw his arms around his waist. "I'm so sorry, Dad. I'm so sorry," he said, tears falling freely from his eyes. "God, this is all my fault!"
Nelson took Christian by his shoulders and pulled his son away from him. "I don't ever want to hear you say that again. This is not your fault, and you know that."
"Yes it is," Chris sniffled. "I was the one who pushed you to into getting a divorce, I was the one that never took the time to find out what was really going on, and I never even tried to care. I...I don't want to lose you, Dad."
"You won't lose me, son. I'll still be here whenever you need me. I'm just right down the street, so you can visit me whenever you want to. Your mother and I will work something out...somehow," Nelson's eyes took on a faraway, glazed look.
Sarah tapped on Christian's shoulder. "It's time to go, sweetie."
"I don't want to go!" Christian snapped. "I want to stay here and talk to Dad!"
"You can do that whenever you want to, hon. But right now we need to go home and get everything together. It's time to start moving on."
"I don't to move on!"
"Go on, Chris. Just do as your mother says," Nelson said, his voice taking on its paternal tone.
Christian hung his head. "Okay. But this isn't over. Some kind of way we'll make it together. Me, you, Mom, and Sandi. All of us. Together."