If this story is prohibited in your area, you are underage or gay sex offends you, then please leave. If you are looking for hard core sex, you won't find it here. This story is fictional and so are the characters. However, the setting is a real and is located in Central Oregon. It does sit on the edge of the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. Please feel free to email me and be sure to include the title in the subject line.
Now just sit back and enjoy!
The Cabin by the Lake part II
Chapter 3
After a very restless night, it was time to go to court. Every member of the group was tied in knots and couldn't eat any breakfast. Joel and Jeremy grabbed Kyle and Dennis and would not let go of them.
Mom came to the rescue and started singing `Whistle a happy tune'. "Now I'll sing it again and listen to the words carefully. Then I'll teach it to the rest of you and it will chase all your fears away."
"Mom, we saw the film `The King and I' and grandma taught us the song already. If you help us, we can sing it with you," said Joel. Soon every one it the car was singing loud and clear. The song actually soothed away a lot of the anxiety.
Dennis pulled into the parking lot and started singing again. Along with all of his passengers, he could just barely get the words out. However, they did and walked up the steps hand in hand, singing.
Larry and Jim walked up behind them. "Good morning, everyone. Hey, just relax and if it gets too bad, just sing the song in your head but not out loud. Together we will get through this," said Jim.
The judge entered the room. "Please be seated. I would like to remind you this is just a hearing and not a trial. You must tell the truth. Every one will be given an opportunity to speak or respond to another's comments. I would like to have the clerk read the petition and then we can begin."
"Mr. Lewis, you are hear representing the petitioners. Mr. Barkley you are representing Mrs. Clara Johns. Mr. McKay and Mrs. Clark, you are here to represent the juveniles involved in this case. I'll start with Mr. Lewis."
Mr. Lewis rose to his feet. "Have you had a chance to study the brief that was given to you when the petition was filed ?" The judge nodded his head yes. "I will briefly outline the contents for those who have not received a copy," Mr. Lewis proceeded to tell the judge and members of the audience what his clients were asking. He outlined their relationship to the two children. However, he just said cousins to the boys' mother. He said that his clients wanted custody of the two boys, along with any money that they would inherit from their parents and grandparents. The two cousins sat very ridged and continue to stare straight ahead.
"Mr. Barkley, you're next. So when you're ready."
"Thank you. First off I'd like to present to you, Your Honor, a signed document by probate Judge Jones stating that my Client, Mrs. Clara Johns, is the sole living heir of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Walker. Mrs. Johns is here today and has a family Bible and other documents to support this. The Walker estate has now been moved into probate. Therefore, I request that the part of the of finical inheritance be stricken from the petition."
Larry then walked to the Judge's bench and presented him with all the evidence from the probate court. "Mrs. Johns, would you please explain how you are related to the Walkers, and to the petitioners?"
"Your Honor, Mr. and Mrs. Walker were my parents. My sister, the mother of Joel and Jeremy, and I were their only children. Of course all three were killed in the accident. Bernice and Faye are my grandfather's nieces. As you can see from the entries in the Bible, Dad was an only child. My grandfather had two brothers. Bernice and Fay were their daughters. Each brother had one daughter. Both brothers are dead. So actually, they were not cousins to my dad but 1st cousins once remove or second cousins or whatever."
"May I see the entries in the family bible. Thank you, Mrs. Johns, you may be seated."
Mr. Lewis, I would like to see you and your clients in my chambers." The three of them and the Judge left the room.
Larry walked over to Clara. "Hey, woman, you did it. I think the inheritance is now out but we'll have to wait until the judge returns and makes his ruling.
Mr. Lewis and his clients returned to the court room. The two women crying and Mr. Lewis had a beet red face. The three of them did not look at anyone in the audience but was staring at their feet. It was plain to see that things were not going their way.
The judge appeared and asked the clerk to bring the petition into his chambers. After about 10 minutes the two of them came back into the courtroom.
"Mr. Barkley and Mrs. Johns, I have completely removed any mention of the inheritance of the Walker estate from the petition. However, since there was no will, you will still have to go through probate. I know that Mrs. Johns has already started the process."
"Mr. McKay, I have done the same with any reference to boy's inheritance from their father and his parents. Since Joel and Jeremy are the only heirs of their father and the petitioners are no blood relation to Mr. Snyder and his parents."
"Thank you, Your Honor!" said Mr. McKay.
"Mrs. Clark, I know that you have lots to say. So it your turn."
"Mr. Lewis, I have a question for you. Did you know that this case has already been assigned to Judge Riley when you were able to get this hearing date?"
Mr. Lewis did a lot of double talk and was beating around the bush. "Mr. Lewis, just a simple yes or no will be sufficient ," said Judge Alison.
"Yes, Your Honor."
"Thank you. Your Honor, I would like to ask you to postpone this hearing for two weeks. I already have a court date scheduled to determine the adoption of Joel and Jeremy Snyder. I can see no reason for this hearing to continue. It would save the county a ton of money, if the two hearing were combined. If a decision is rendered today, I will certainly appeal it. Since the boys are under my jurisdiction, it is my responsibility to interview the prospective parents, run background cheeks, look out the welfare of my clients and to make recommendations to the court. I haven't done any of this for the petitioners. If you decide to continue this hearing, I would like to have this taken into consideration. One more thing, it is my understanding that the boys will be split, one going to each of the two ladies. We at Children services try to leave siblings together. Only in extreme case do we consider splitting them. Given the ages of these two women, I would be very hesitant to recommend awarding them custody. Do you have any questions for me, your honor?"
"No, I think not. I am going to call a 15 recess and will give my reply when we're back in session."
"That won't be necessary, you honor. My clients are requesting that we drop our request for custody of the two children. We will be in court in two weeks to present our original petition to Judge Riley. We would like to request Mrs. Clark to conduct her investigation and interviews of my clients. We are leaving now. Thank you."
"Mr. Lewis, I have already issued a change in your petition regarding the money. Therefore, It will have to go to an appeals court and not to the judge handling the adoption case. In fact, I am ready to render my decision on the rest of the petition. However, that won't be necessary, since your clients have withdrawn their petition."
"Mr. Lewis, I would like to see you in my chambers before you leave. This session is adjourned and will restart again 15 minutes at which time I will see you in my chamber."
"Hey, it looks like we have jumped two hurdles. I don't know how many more we have to jump but they are getting easier to clear. I just wonder what is going on behind the closed doors," Jim said. "I bet we will find out in a few minutes.
"I have to go to the bathroom, bad!" exclaimed Jeremy.
"Come on, Jeremy. I'll take you. I have to go myself." said Dennis.
"I need to go, also." said Joel.
"That is the reason the judge calls a break. I bet he had to go, also," Chuckle Dennis.
Judge Allison came back into the room and invited Mr. Lewis into his chambers. They were gone about 10 minutes and returned to the courtroom. Mr. Lewis and his clients left in a hurry.
"I must apologize for all the stress and inconvenience that Mr. Lewis and his clients have caused all of you. They have agreed not to continue with their original plan. However, I don't know if I completely trust them. I'd say be prepared just in case. I'll be writing a evaluation letter to the California State Bar. He certainly tried to pull a fast one and almost got away with it. Thanks to all of you for stopping him. I just wish I knew who his contacts are. I am sure that someone with a little power gave him inside information." ***** "Aunt Clara, you were the supper hero of the day. I want to take every one to dinner at one of Bends fanciest restaurants. So you get to choose where you want to go," said Dennis.
"I would be happy to choose a restaurant. Now, where do I want to go. Let me see. I know I want to go to Pappy's!" said Aunt Clara. "Yea! Hooray! Aunt Clara you are the bestest!" shouted Joel.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" chanted Jeremy.
Dennis exclaimed, "Oh, dear! I forgot to put some restrictions on you choice!"
"I choose Pappy's for a purpose. You have not meet my children. I will go and pick them up and meet you there about 5:00. Joel and Jeremy, do you want to go with me? Pat, I would invite you to go along but my van will be full, if the boys decide to go."
"Not a problem, Clara. I don't have my earplugs. I hope you have a good set because with 8 kids all talking at once, you need them."
"I have what they call selective hearing. I will just tune them out and let them have at it," said Aunt Clara.
"I'm glad that I gave you a choice without any restrictions. I am looking forward to meeting your family. If they are anything like you, I know I will love them to pieces," said Dennis. ***** "Kids, I'm going to give each of you enough quarters for two games each. Then you have to come back in here and get some pizza and go through the salad bar. All you have to do is take a little salad. It's not poison and you might even like it! Then I'll give you some more quarters and turn you loose again in the game room. Deal?" Said Kyle.
"Yes," said all eight kids.
Finally all the kids disappeared into the game room with the older ones supervising the younger ones. The adults were now free just to visit and enjoy coffee and dessert.
"Aunt Clara, Do you and all the kids have sleeping bags and air mattresses? After the adoption hearing, we will have four days before we have to take a group into the wilderness. We would like to make it a family trip and spend three days camping. I think the kids would really like it. I know we would enjoy having them," said Kyle. "Also, do they all have good hiking boots?"
"No, We have never had a reason to get any," said Aunt Clara.
"Here is a pre-paid gift card from Big Five Sports. Take it and go in and get some 3 pound bags, mattresses, and some good boots. I assume that everyone has some sweat shirts with hoods. You will also need some nice warm pjs. If don't have every thing, go ahead and get whatever you need," said Kyle. "It gets real cool high up in the mountains even in the summer.
"You know all of that is going to cost a fortune." said Aunt Clara.
"No, It won't. This is only plastic and no money will be involved!" laughed Kyle.
TBC