Chapter 7 -- A Shotgun Wedding
Thankfully, no shotgun was necessary. Please consider supporting Nifty so that we may continue to enjoy these stories: https://donate.nifty.org/
Spring quickly turned into summer. Steve graduated from high school, Rick and I were both proud of him, and we hosted a big celebration for him at a nice restaurant in the next town over. The owner talked Rick into working for him, telling him he could teach him the `tricks of the trade'. We could tell Steve was a bit relieved at that, he wanted to stay with us and his brother and sister, at least for now. Rick had cleaned out his and Ellen's house, taking most of it to the dump. He put it on the market; the real estate market was hot and the house sold quickly.
One day I came home from work to find two sheriff's deputies SUVs in the driveway, and several obvious state vehicles, including a van. "Oh crap!" I muttered, "what drama am I getting myself into now?". As I approached the front door I could hear some loud voices, it sounded like an argument was going on. I decided caution was in order. I knocked on the front door, and then cracked the door open. Hello? I'm David Parsons, owner of this property. May I come in?" I pushed the door open more widely. I could see officer Rodriguez standing in the kitchen with several other people. "Ah, Alex! Is it Ok if I come in?" He nodded. I walked toward the kitchen. A young lady was standing at the kitchen island, with a bunch paperwork spread out. Rick was seated at the chair by the back door. His arms were restrained behind his back with a zip tie. The 3 children were sitting on the sofa in the family room, 2 men standing over them.
"Ok, so what's going on here?" Alex nodded toward the young lady. "This is Irene Inez, with the Arizona Department of Child Safety". I nodded in greeting to her. "Yes, Mr. . . . Parsons, I believe you said?" I nodded. "Well, we're here to take formal custody of the three minor children". "Uh-huh. In why in the world would you be doing that?" It was Rick who spoke up. "Dave, the letter with the divorce decree came in the mail several months ago. I never paid attention to the date, it turns out our divorce was granted and recorded the day before she died. I gave Ellen sole custody of the children.". I turned toward Ms. Inez. "Ok. But as the surviving biological parent, doesn't custody revert back to Rick?" She nodded. "Under normal circumstances, yes". "Normal circumstances?" I repeated. "Yes. But it's come to our attention that Mr. Richardson has sold the house he owned jointly with the late Mrs. Richardson, and the children have been living here since the time of her untimely demise?" I nodded. "Yes. But, I have to ask: Just how did that `come to your attention'?". She gave me a puzzled look. "Well," I continued, "I would think your department responds most often to reports of child endangerment, neglect or abuse? Reports of frequent or extended absence from school, or injuries to a child, that sort of thing?". Ms Inez nodded. "Well, did you receive any reports to that effect?" "No". "Well then, I repeat my question: How did this come to your attention?"
Ms. Inez sighed, and began to search through her stack of papers. "Ah, here it is", and handed a report to me. I began to read it. "Investigator Thomas received a call from a person who identified themselves as {name redacted}. The caller claimed the children of Mrs. Richardson, who is deceased, live with their father. The father sold their house and he and the children live at a man's house with whom he is in a homosexual relationship, and that the father is a suspect in his wife's murder". My anger rose quickly. Vanderyackt! It had to be Vanderyackt, the son of a bitch! I struggled to control my anger, and continued reading. My eyes widened and my mouth opened in shock as I read further. I looked up at Ms. Inez. "Have you read this report?" I asked sternly. She looked down at the floor and back up to me. "Well, no, actually. My position is called a `Custody Coordinator'. My job is to take protective custody of the children. The actual decision to place the children in protective custody was made by those higher up in the department, based on this report. Why?". "Well, let me read it to you" I began slowly and deliberately. "The first paragraph states your investigator received a call from someone who claimed the father of the children was a suspect in his wife's murder, and that he and the children were living in a house with a man -- me -- with whom he was in a homosexual relationship. So, your inspector called him back, and here's what he told them":
"Investigator Thomas called [name redacted] back on July 6. He told [name redacted] that the department had confirmed with the Sherriff's office that the father was not a suspect in the murder of Mrs. Richardson. Mr. Richardson's whereabouts had been confirmed by the three children and a Mr. David Parsons at the time of the murder. Investigator Thomas also informed {name redacted] that a same sex relationship of the father by itself was not grounds for the department to take protective custody of the minor children. That there has to be evidence that the safety and welfare of the children is endangered. Inspector Thomas then asked {name redacted] that if he believed the safety and welfare of the children was endangered. {name redacted] replied yes that he believed that was the situation. Accordingly, we further pursued our investigation".
I looked up at Ms. Inez, with a incredulous look on my face. "Your Inspector Thomas clearly coached name redacted' exactly what to say. He told him that a same sex relationship alone was not sufficient grounds for you to take custody of the children, that there has to be something else. And then he told him exactly what that was". I held up my hands outstretched. "What the hell did he expect him to say? Oops!, my bad, so sorry! Just forget the whole thing!' Hell no! All he had to do was tell your inspector yes, the safety and welfare of the children is endangered". Ms. Inez's face took on a look of concern. "May I see that report?". Her eyebrows furrowed as she read it. She looked back up at me, shaking her head. "You're absolutely correct. The investigator led the complainant on, telling him exactly what he needed to say. I don't see how the department approved taking protective custody based on this". "Oh, I'll tell you exactly how they approved it" I assured her, "anti-gay bias, plain and simple. The complainant' started out by saying the father -- Rick -- was in a `homosexual relationship' with the owner of the house where the children live. That would be me. And that's what stuck". "Oh, those poor children! They're living with two homosexuals! We have to save them! And then your inspector did what he needed to do to get that protective custody order. And your supervisors blindly - or most likely, purposely - signed off on that order". Ms. Inez shook her head. "Well, I prefer to believe there is no anti-gay bias in our department. But I don't personally know them, that inspector and those who signed off on the protective custody order are in our Phoenix headquarters, I'm with our Tucson field office. But you're certainly entitled to appeal the decision. The appeal process is detailed in those papers I'm going to leave with you". I sighed in exasperation, and then skimmed through the rest of the report. "Ah! Here is more bullshit your inspector pulled:
"Investigator Thomas then reviewed publicly available records. The children's school records list Mr. Parsons' address as their place of residence. We then reviewed public records of property title and taxes, and Mr. Parsons' is listed as the sole owner. Accordingly, the three minor children have no legal right to reside at Mr. Parsons' residence".
Ms. Inez looked at me with a puzzled expression. "Yes?". "Well, `publicly available records' are fine, but they don't tell you everything. What if I told you that I have a written and signed rental agreement specifying that Rick and the children have the right to live here?". Ms. Inez looked at me curiously. "And you have a rental agreement to that effect?". "Yes" I lied. "Would you like me to get it for you?" I bluffed. "No, that won't be necessary, you can include it with your appeal. But I'm very sorry, but once a protective custody order has been issued I have no choice but to execute it. The children must come with me this evening".
I shook my head in exasperation. "So look, I know exactly who filed that complaint with you, his name is Carl Vanderyackt. This is a small rural community. We knew Ellen -- the late Mrs. Richardson -- had begun to see Vanderyackt after she and Rick separated. We suggested Officer Rodriguez here interview him as a possible suspect in Ellen's murder, which he did. Vanderyackt claimed he was never at her house the evening of her murder, and had an alibi, a suspect alibi, but an alibi nonetheless. And Officer Rodriguez told us that Vanderyackt was certain that it was Rick and I who pointed the blame at him, and to be careful of him. So, this bullshit is his payback to us, and probably not the last of it". I looked over at Alex, and he nodded.
Ms. Inez sighed. "Well, this is certainly all very interesting. File an appeal, and my personal opinion is that you have an excellent chance of winning". "How long does the appeal process take?" I questioned. "Well, to be honest, I'm afraid an appeal process can take three to six months to complete". "Up to six months? That's insane. Steve turns 18 in a few months, in September". "Yes, well at that time he will be released from our care, and free to make his own decisions. But the minor children will continue to be under our protective custody. They'll be placed in foster homes". "Foster homes?" I repeated in despair. I needed more time to think of a way out of this. I turned to officer Rodriguez. "Alex? Why is Rick under restraint?". Rick spoke up. "I was really stupid. When they told me they were taking my children away from me I naturally got pretty upset. I tried to push the guys away from my children. One of them bumped into Ms. Inez and almost knocked her over". "I see. Rick, will you please apologize to Ms. Inez and her associates. And please tell them you will comply fully with their instructions". Rick apologized. I turned to Alex. "Can Rick be released now?" Alex looked at Ms. Inez, she nodded. "Release Mr. Richardson from his restraints". Rick stood up, rubbing his wrists. He was so tall, so handsome, it reminded me why I loved him so much. And then it hit me, straight out the blue. "Ms. Inez? What if Rick and I were married?" Her mouth opened in surprise. "Well, that would change the situation completely, with rather immediate effect. The protective custody order was issued with Mr. Richardson being a single, unmarried person. His marriage would immediately nullify that order, and require a new investigation. We would have to investigate further, to ensure the children are in a safe and secure environment. And I will personally state that as a result of my inspection I believe the children are in a safe, secure environment. Further investigation will just be a formality". "Ms. Inez?" Alex spoke up. "I know both Mr. Richardson and Mr. Parsons and the children very well. As a Sherriff's Deputy I will also state that I know that the children are in a safe and secure environment". Ms. Inez smiled and nodded.
I looked around. At the end of the counter I kept a plate for car keys and loose change. I grabbed an empty key chain, walked over to Rick, knelt down my knees, and looked up at him, and held the keyring up. "Rick, will you marry me? Please?". "WHAT? Are you serious?" "Never been more serious in my life". "But it's so sudden, that never crossed my mind, we being married to each other. And under these circumstances, it kinda feels like it would be a forced marriage, like some kind of shotgun wedding I've heard about". I laughed. "My family is originally from West Virginia, I know all about shotgun weddings. That's when a very pregnant young lady is standing at the alter, the young man responsible for her condition standing next to her. And a very angry father standing behind him, with a shotgun". Rick laughed. "Yeah, well whatever. I just think it's too sudden. It's something we need to talk about, talk over together. My marriage to Ellen was such as disaster, I think we need to consider the ramifications. And we can fight this thing". I stood up. "I understand", I said, my disappointment obvious.
Ms. Inez spoke up. "Well, we'll be taking custody of the children now". I walked into the family room. "Kids? No matter how unfair this may seem, it's the law and we must respect that. Please cooperate with them and follow their instructions". They nodded in agreement. "But Dave" Steve spoke up, "are you really going to marry my old man?" I shrugged. "Well, he hasn't said yes', yet". "Dad! Please tell him yes! But don't say yes for our sake, say yes for your sake, and Dave's sake. You two so deserve one another! Say yes, please!". "Thanks, Steve. Paul? What do you think?" "Duh! Say yes dad, say yes! I think it'll be kinda cool having two dads". "Sarah?" "Dad? If you don't say yes right this minute I'm going to be very disappointed and angry with you!" Rick threw his hands up. "Ok, Ok, I give up. Yes! Yes, I will marry you!" "Tomorrow?" "Tomorrow? You want to get married tomorrow?" I shrugged. "The sooner we get married, the sooner we get our children back. We can get our marriage license at the county courthouse, and then find a chapel to get married in". Ms. Inez walked over to me. "Here's my business card. That's my direct phone line if you have any questions, and that's my direct email address. Email me copies of your marriage license and your marriage certificate and I'll expedite this as quickly as possible". "Thank you". She smiled. "You know, when we remove children from a home it's quite often a very . . . uncomfortable situation. That you and Mr. Richardson are getting married for your children to be able to remain with you, and your children are completely with you? I think that is very special. "I'll push hard on this, and I'll point out that you feel Inspector Thomas provided the complainant with too much information to pursue his complaint -- and that I agree with you. And that you believe the complainant made his complaint as retribution for you naming him as a murder suspect? And that you believe anti-gay bias was involved in pursuing the complaint?". She laughed. "I'm sure the supervisors in Phoenix will want to wash their hands of this as quickly as possible. I think we can have your children back here home with you and your husband by this weekend". Thank you. My husband'? That's the first time someone has said that to me. I like the sound of that, I could get used to hearing that". She smiled. "Well, congratulations. Now children, please come along with me. Just for a few days".
Rick and I gave the kids hugs. Steve gave me an especially hard hug. "Steve, just think of this as a little vacation". Steve cocked his eye at me. "A vacation, huh? Just get my old man to say I do' tomorrow, so we can get back home, together, and be a family. Dad". I put my hand on his shoulder. "Count on it, Son". Officer Rodriguez was lingering in the kitchen, he stepped forward to give us each a hug. "You know, Rick and Dave? I consider myself to be a pretty traditional' Catholic, my family and I attend Mass every Sunday. But I want to tell both of you: Congratulations! I'm very happy for both of you, and wish you all the very best".