Chapter 16

***Tina***

It has been a very emotional two months for us, but more so for Renee. The police arrested her mother and the boyfriend. Renee spent one night at a shelter and then was given to Bette and I during the two-month trial period. When the trial was over they sentenced her mother for two years in a correctional facility with mandatory therapy sessions for drug and alcohol abuse, and anger management. The boyfriend got up to five years for the attempted rape of Renee.

After the sentence the judge asked us to his chambers.

Please, have a seat.

Thank you. We said as we sat. Renee, Angelica and Aiden took the seat at the back of the office.

I know these past months have been trying for you and I know that you all only want whats best for Renee. I must say I applaud your efforts but I must ask you this.

Whats that? Bette asked.

What makes you think that your family will be the best thing for her?

Because we love Renee and we can make her happy. I answered.

And I know that we can give her a good quality of life. Bette continued.

But your lifestyle is unorthodox.

Excuse me? I dont see how that.

See Bette, may I call you Bette? He interjected.

Yes sure your honour.

I am *****. And I am also a father and as of 5:15 this morning, a very proud grandfather.

Congratulations. We said in unison.

Thank you. Anyway, I met my partner with a five-year-old son. I was young, he was a little older but we loved each other and like you we believed that we could be the best of parents to him. But unfortunately we were from a time when bigotry and acceptance and tolerance for something that is not the norn were very low. He would come home many evenings beaten because he was defending his fathers relationship as he put it. A child shouldnt have to defend anything.

But the times are different. People are more accepting now. Bette interrupted.

Yes, but there are still those who believe in tradition. And I am not saying that it will happen, but if Renee is placed under your care she has to understand what it means to be a part of that. He sighed and paused for a moment. Look I am not saying that you arent good parents, nor that you arent capable of giving Renee the best, Angelica and Aiden are prime examples of what great parents you are, all I am saying is that, as noble a jester this is I have only Renees best interest at heart.