Dawn slowly lightened the sky. It was a typical Southern California summer day, starting off with a grey, low coastal overcast almost chilly morning. [Of course, cold is relative to where one lives. In L.A. County sixty degrees Fahrenheit is almost cold; fifty six IS cold. But so what? We know we are spoiled.] Nathan stretched and thought about last evening. Damn, he loved it when Jim could be open and trusting with him. Life just couldn't get any better during those times.

After making out in the kitchen for nearly three-quarters of an hour, only to be interrupted by one ornery teenager coming in to find something to munch on, Nathan had kissed Jim one more time and fled for his own bed. It would have been easy to woo Jim into having sex. He thought that Jim had been on the verge last night. But until Jim asked for it Nathan had promised that he would wait...let Jim take the lead. Little did he know that by doing that he had played right into the mental problems Jim was having.

Nathan showered and shaved, then dressed casual. He had an appointment with a patient later, but for now Levi's and an old sleeveless sweatshirt and sandals were comfortable. He knew that in a couple of hours the cloud cover would burn off and the temperature would soar into the high eighties. He wandered over to Jim's, letting himself in with his own key.

When he stepped into the kitchen he was startled to see Jim hunkered in the built-in breakfast nook booth. His head rested on his knees which were pulled up to his chest with his arms wrapped around them. He was dressed in the same clothes he had on the previous evening.

"Jim, are you ill. My God, you haven't even been to bed. What's going on?"

Jim looked up as Nathan moved toward him. His eyes were red rimmed. He had dark circles under them. There was no greeting forthcoming. He started throwing accusations. "You lied to me. I knew you would. I wanted to believe you. You----"

"Slowdown, Jim. Jim, I haven't lied to you. Tell me what are you talking about?"

"You told me that you love me, that I'm the most important person in your life. You started making love to me and then you just jumped up and left. You didn't even care about how I was feeling.... you just left."

"Did you ask me to stay, Jim?" He sat down on the curved bench seat and scooted around to Jim. He took him into his arms.

"No, but I thought the way we were going that you would stay." Jim made a feeble attempt to push Nathan away.

"Jim, I wanted to stay." Nathan hugged him tight. "There was nothing I wanted more than to stay and make love to you, but our agreement was that we would go slow until you are ready to get into more than just making out. You have to tell me when you are ready."

Jim pushed back from Nathan and stared at him as he thought about that for a moment, and then dropped his head against Nathan's chest and whimpered.

"Oh God, Nathan, with Bobby coming into my life, it has really brought out all my old fucked up feelings and insecurities. I thought I had it so all together. I've been like a needle on a scratched record all night I couldn't get out of the groove I was stuck in, playing the same thoughts over and over." He rolled his head back and forth against Nathan's chest "Hold me, Nathan, make me think straight. I hate getting like this."

Nathan wrapped his arms around Jim. Jim moved his face into the crook of Nathan's neck, and let out a long ragged sigh. Nathan said nothing as he held Jim and caressed his back. Jim was quiet for so long that Nathan thought he had fallen asleep.

Eventually, Jim mumbled into Nathan's neck, "I'm going to have to get it back together if I'm going to be any help to the kid." There was another long pause while Jim was lost in thought. He raised his head and looked toward the ceiling "Shit, I think he's in much better condition than I am."

Nathan squeezed him in a tight bear hug. He knew from what Jim was saying that his thinking was back in line, and on a healthy track. He felt guilty that Jim had gotten his head screwed up by their heavy kissing last night. If he had just known how Jim was feeling, he could have prevented him from going through the anguish he had put himself through. Maybe he should take the lead and ask, since Jim wasn't telling him how he was feeling or saying what he was wanting from him.

He nudged him. "Let's go get you showered and then I'm going to tuck you into bed for a good sleep. You look as bad off as that poor little field mouse that I saved from Satty yesterday."

Once they were in the bedroom, Jim rested his head against Nathan's chest as he let him unbutton his shirt. Nathan then unbuttoned Jim's pants and let them fall to his ankles. Jim wasn't wearing any shoes, so he stepped right out of them. Nathan turned him around and lifted his shirt off his shoulders and let it slide down and off his arms. He then undressed himself and led Jim into the bathroom.

With one arm around Jim's waist, Nathan adjusted the water temperature and then walked him into the stall and closed the door. He hooked the little stool in the corner with his foot and pulled it out. Jim just slumped onto it and relaxed back against Nathan's legs. Assured that he wasn't going to fall over, Nathan poured some shampoo into his palm and started washing Jim's hair.

"That feels so good, Nathe, don't stop." Jim said, enjoying the gentle massage of Nathan's fingers.

Jim's head lolled as it rested against Nathan's crotch. The soft sudsy hair brushing against his cock brought it to full rigidity and Nathan chuckled, "If you don't keep your head still, you're going to get an extra protein rinse. Here, turn and rest against the wall while I soap you down."

Nathan knelt and washed Jim's body. Jim was sleepy, but was still enjoying what Nathan was doing. He studied Nathan's intent expression. When Nathan looked up and saw that Jim was watching him, he grinned, and Jim grinned back.

"You like this, eh?"

"I wish I wasn't so tired; I'd really be enjoying it a lot more," Jim said with a big yawn.

"Hey, Babe, you can enjoy this any time you wish. All you have to do is tell me you want a bath."

"I love you, Nathan. As soon as I get back on track I want to make love to you."

"Stand up and rinse off. Do I get to make love to you, too?"

"You'd better. I don't put out if you don't reciprocate."

"Ah, you put out, do you?" Nathan turned off the water, opened the door and grabbed a big bath sheet. He wrapped it around Jim and started drying his hair. Jim didn't help; just standing was the most he could manage.

"I know you're making fun of me, but I'm just too sleepy to care."

"I'll have you into bed in just a minute, Babe. And I won't make fun of you. Although, I will kid you."

Nathan pulled the bed sheet up to Jim's chest. He sat down and brushed the hair out of his face, and then leaned down and kissed him.

"Get in bed with me and hold me, Nathe, until I fall asleep."

Nathan moved around the bed and slid in behind Jim. He molded his body to Jim's, who wiggled his butt against his hard cock. "I like the feel of that," he said and then yawned.

"Well, it's not going anywhere else until you've rested," Nathan assured him. Jim was already softly snoring.

Nathan's mind was busy thinking about all that had happened in the last couple of days while he held Jim as he slept. He considered what he was learning about Jim. He had apparently swept all the emotional garbage left from having been molested and raped as a juvenile into a closet and slammed the door shut rather than dealing with it, only to have the door flung open and all the garbage scattered when Bobby came into their lives. Well, this time he wasn't going to sweep it back into the closet. With Nathan's expert psychiatric help Jim would deal with it and get beyond it all. He knew that rape and molestation victims could easily drop into instant depression from just the simplest word or act, just as Jim had last night. It was going to take a lot of work and careful handling to get Jim back on track and keep him there. But with Nathan's love, Jim would be okay.

Nathan's thoughts drifted to tomorrow; they had to be in juvenile court for a custody hearing to make Bobby's custody legal. He had called Susan's father, George Merrill, the senior partner in the prestigious law firm of Merrill, Gladden and Finch, and asked him to recommend one of the lawyers in his firm to represent Bobby and Jim in the upcoming hearing.

After hearing Bobby's story, George had insisted that he himself would take the case. There would be no charge; he considered Nathan the son he never had, and although he had at one time hoped that Nathan and Susan would marry, he still loved him as if he were his own son. Bobby, Jim and he were to meet with George tomorrow morning before the hearing. Nathan caressed his beloved's soft silky hair as he, too, dozed off.

He awakened to the sound of a soft knock on the door. He raised his head to see Bobby peeking in. He put his finger to his lips and carefully extracted his arm out from under Jim's head. As Nathan slid out of bed, Bobby's eyes grew to saucers seeing him naked and half aroused. He quickly closed the door. Jim stirred and mumbled. Nathan bent down and kissed him, bidding him to go back to sleep. He put on his clothes and went in search of Bobby.

Bobby stood in the hall for a moment, feeling lost and very vulnerable. He hadn't expected to see Nathan that way. It brought back all the feelings and fears that he had experienced with Robert. He fled to his room and locked the door. He crawled into bed and burrowed under the covers. He lay there quaking, waiting for it all to happen to him again. There was a knock on his door. He held his breath praying that Nathan would go away and not hurt him. He heard the door knob jiggle, and his name called again.

"I'm sorry. Please don't hurt me. I'm sorry."

When Nathan heard the scared little boy sound in Bobby's voice he knew what had happened.

"Bobby, I have no intention of hurting you. Please open the door and let's talk."

There was only silence in response. Nathan assured him again that he wasn't going to hurt him. When there was no response, he decided not to push. "Bobby listen to me. I'm going to go down to the kitchen and make us some breakfast. Would you like a cup of hot chocolate with it?"

There again was no response. Nathan turned away from the door and went down to the kitchen where he set about heating milk for hot chocolate and put on some bacon to fry. After breaking four eggs into a bowl he added four tablespoons of water and a couple grinds of black pepper and then whipped them until they were a pale yellow. He put bread into the toaster ready to push down. After getting the coffee pot going he turned back to the bacon. As he put the crisp bacon strips on a paper towel to absorb the excess grease he heard the kitchen door open. He turned and smiled at Bobby as he meekly slid into the booth.

"Hungry?"

Bobby nodded.

"We're having Bacon and scrambled eggs. You like them soft or firm?"

"Soft, please."

"Coming right up."

Nathan pushed the toaster down, poured the fat out of the frying pan and the eggs into it. He gently lifted the edges as they cooked, moving them into a pile in the center of the pan. When all the liquid had solidified he turned them out onto two plates. He found a can of Ovaltine and stirred some into the hot milk. He set it all on the table.

"Would you get us some flatware and napkins, Bobby?" he asked. He turned to find the butter and some jam. He poured himself a cup of the fresh hot coffee and sat down across from Bobby. He picked up his knife and applied some butter to his toast. Bobby watched him for a moment and then followed his lead. Nathan waited until Bobby had finished his breakfast before he asked, "Would you like to tell me what just happened."

Bobby laid his fork down. And folded his hands in his lap. His eyes were downcast. "I'm sorry, Nathan, I didn't mean to."

"I don't understand. Have you done something you shouldn't have?"

"I saw you naked."

"And that was something you shouldn't have done?"

Bobby shrugged.

"What upset you about seeing me naked?"

Bobby took a moment before answering. Nathan waited.

"You were kinda..... you know....like..... ah.... hard."

"Jim does that to me. So seeing me that way upset you. Can you tell me why?"

Bobby nodded but didn't answer.

"It's okay Bobby. You can tell me."

Tears were running down Bobby's face when he looked up at Nathan. "My daddy would come into my room like that. He would do things to me that I didn't want him to do. He would hurt me."

"That will never happen to you again, Bobby. You are safe here. Neither Jim nor I will ever touch you that way. We love you, Bobby. Remember that. We love you. We will not harm you. You are safe here."

Bobby nodded, but didn't look at Nathan.

"Bobby, come around here."

Nathan turned on the bench so he could hold Bobby. Bobby moved to stand in front of him. He wrapped the boy in a hug and held him until he relaxed.

"I need a hug, too. Would you give me a big hug, Bobby?"

Bobby raised his arms and wrapped them around Nathan's neck. The kitchen door opened and a tussled Jim walked in rubbing his eyes. "Can I join you guys? I need a hug too." He knelt next to Bobby and they each wrapped an arm around him, bringing him into a group hug.

"I sure do love you guys" Bobby mumbled.

Nathan finally broke away and offered to make Jim some breakfast as he set a cup of steaming coffee in front of him.

"Thanks, Babe, but I just want this coffee and some toast and jam right now."

Nathan made him some toast while Bobby sat back in the booth and watched the two men that had taken him into their lives. Nathan set a plate with the hot toast on it in front of Jim, then he sat down next to Bobby. The two of them watched Jim as he meticulously spread butter and jam on both pieces of toast before taking a bite. He felt their stares and looked up. "What?"

Nathan grinned at him. He turned and winked at Bobby, and then raised his eyebrows at Jim. "Nothing. We just like watching you." He smiled at him and kissed him on his forehead.

"Well, I love you guys, too." Jim mumbled through a mouth full of toast.

George Merrill was a tall man with wide muscular shoulders and narrow hips. His immaculate expensive suit fit him like it had been custom made expressly for him, which of course it had been. He wore Cowboy boots that gave him even more height than was needed to tower over most other men. His head was crowned by a mane of steel grey hair. His piercing blue eyes missed nothing when he looked at a person.

He sat at the long table on the left side of the court room. Bobby sat between him and Jim. There was a smaller table with a single chair front and center and an exact mate of the long one on the other side of the room. The two long tables were angled so everyone could see everyone else.

At the other table sat Mrs. Sharpe from Child Services. She had two assistants with her. Nathan also sat at that table. There were a few chairs lined up behind them against the wall.

The court clerk came in exactly at two o'clock.

"Please rise for the honorable Judge Gonzales."

They all rose as Judge Gloria Gonzales came through the door in front of them. She was a diminutive lady in her late forties, with a pile of shiny black hair, touched with a sparkle of white, piled on top of her head. She wore a smart taupe skirt and matching jacket with a deep purple silk blouse. Around her neck, she wore an invisible sign that clearly stated: "Don't mess with me."

"Please be seated," she said, as she sat behind the small table in front of them. "This is a formal hearing to establish legal custody of Robert Dwayne Baxter Jr." She looked at Mr. Merrill. "George, it's a pleasure to see you, although I'm surprised that you are in my lowly courtroom."

"It is my pleasure to be in your court, Ma'am. I am representing these young men because I feel they are part of my extended family. Nathan," he nodded toward him at the other table, "and my daughter grew up together. Now that he has taken Jim as his partner, I've adopted him, too. I guess that will make Bobby my son, too, if Jim is given custody of him."

Bobby grinned. It felt good to know that he was loved and accepted by yet another person. Nathan and Jim both blushed a dark red. Jim looked at Nathan with accusation blazing in his eyes. Nathan knew Jim was thinking that he had outed them to George. He shook his head and mouthed, "Later." Nathan, like Jim, couldn't believe that George had just outed them to the court. As he looked around no one looked shocked or even surprised and as he thought about it, it made him feel good to be accepted like this.

"Well, it looks like we won't be worrying about financial support, however, Mr. Baxter, I do require your financial statement for the records."

"Yes, Ma'am, I have it here." Jim stepped around the table and handed it to her.

Her eyes widened as she glanced over it. She looked at the social worker and then back at Jim and the occupants of his table. "Mrs. Sharpe has already given me your histories, and your statements to her have been corroborated. She and I have already conferred on this matter. I also have before me psychological profiles on both Robert and James Baxter from Mr. Taylor who works with Child Services. I have studied both of these thoroughly. I would like to visit with Bobby before making my final decision. So, while Bobby and I go into my---"

At that moment the double doors at the back of the room burst open. Everyone turned to see who had interrupted the proceedings. Bobby gasped, "Mother!"

Martina Baxter, Bobby's mother, swept into the room. Marti, as she liked to be called, stood five feet ten inches tall in her three inch heels. The short red skirt that she wore stretched tightly over her ample ass; it missed covering her knees by a good four inches. A frilly sheer white blouse barely contained her voluptuous bosom. Her long curly bleached blonde hair was beginning to show black roots at the part on the top of her head. An overweight perspiring man who looked like he'd slept in his suit, carrying a beat-up briefcase, followed her into the room, looking like he wanted to be somewhere else.

Marti's gaze swept over everyone in the room. It landed on Jim. She headed towards him. "You goddam queer faggot, how dare you try to take my son away from me and turn him into a queer cocksucker like you." Her voice dripped with venom. Bobby dropped his head to the table and covered it in embarrassment. Jim blanched at the vituperation.

With the first words out of Marti's mouth, Judge Gonzales was pounding her gavel calling for order in her court. Marti ignored her. Finally the judge stood up and yelled."Madam! Shut up!"

Marti looked surprised that anyone would speak to her in such a manner.

"Now that I've got your attention, identify yourself to this court and explain your purpose and your right to be here." The judge sat down settling her ruffled feathers.

Marti looked disdainfully at the Judge. "I am Martina Mendoza Baxter. Bobby is my son and I've come to take him home with me before you give him to this queer bastard."

"Mrs. Baxter, I am warning you one time ...and one time only. You will not use any more foul language in my court room. Nor will I abide your..... attitude. You will sit down and keep your homophobic mouth closed until you are asked to speak. If you disobey me, you will be immediately escorted out of my courtroom and directly to jail. Am I understood?"

Marti stared at the judge before she nodded.

Judge Gonzales stared back at her. "Mrs. Baxter, you will answer me verbally and show the proper respect."

"Yes, your honor, I understand." Her words were clipped.

"Good. Now sit down, and we will continue." She paused a moment gathering her thoughts, as Marti scurried to sit in a chair against the back wall.

"Mr. Baxter," The judge looked at Jim. "Do you wish to file suit against Mrs. Martina Baxter for the vicious verbal assault that we all just witnessed?"

Jim considered the question as he turned and looked back at Marti. She had the look of a cornered feral cat. He had never liked her. He felt the only reason she had married Robert was for the social status. He looked back at the judge.

"Ma'am, at this time I don't think I will, however, if she attacks me again, or Bobby, I won't hesitate to file suit."

Judge Gonzales nodded, then searched through the papers on her desk before turning to the social worker. "Mrs. Sharpe, have you or your staff interviewed Bobby's mother in this matter?"

"No, Ma'am, however we did make three attempts to make an appointment for an interview, but each attempt was thwarted."

"Mrs. Baxter, if you want any consideration in this hearing you will stay and answer any and all of Mrs. Sharpe's questions while this court is in recess. In view of the animosity you have shown in the last few minutes, I don't want you within fifty feet of James Baxter. Bobby, while your mother is being interviewed I would like to visit with you in my chambers, please. All others please leave the room and be back here in exactly forty-five minutes."

She stood and motioned for Bobby to accompany her. Jim ruffled his hair and gently pushed him towards the Judge. "She's on your side, Bobby, relax and be open with her."

Jim turned and followed George as they filed past Marti without looking at her. Marti's eyes traveled up and down George Merrill with unconcealed lust. He ignored her. Her look turned to hatred and disgust as she glared at Jim. Nathan watched Marti. He wanted to jump up and go with Jim, but he was required to stay and listen to this interview.

Judge Gonzales led Bobby to her chambers. The guard followed them into the room and stood at attention just inside the door. The judge motioned toward a big high-backed club chair. "Sit down, Bobby, make yourself comfortable." She turned to the guard, who was required by law to be in the chamber since Bobby was a minor. "Bill, sit down and relax, we're going to be here a while."

She sat opposite Bobby in an identical chair. She studied the young man for a moment before she spoke. "Bobby, I want you to know that I am on your side. I want to do what is best for you. I've studied Mrs. Sharpe and Nathan's record thoroughly. I admire you, Bobby. You're a strong young man and you deserve better than you've gotten in the past. Tell me, do you like living with Jim? Does he treat you well?"

Bobby in turn studied her. He decided that he liked her and that he could trust her. "Yes, Ma'am. I really like living with Jim. He and Nathan talk to me like I'm a grownup, and still let me be a kid."

"Would you describe your experience living there?"

"Sure. It's grand. Jim has this great big old house with four bedrooms. Jim's is right at the top of the stairs. My room is at the far end of the hall and I have my own bathroom, so I have plenty of privacy. I can play my music loud and he doesn't hear it too much. At least, he hasn't complained. First thing Jim did when I went to live with him was to take me shopping for furniture and stuff. I even have my own computer and Gameboy. And bunches of games to play on it. Jim told me that even if I don't get to stay with him that they are mine to keep."

"I understand that you see Nathan everyday. How are you doing with that?"

"Nathan's the coolest. He lives right next door. And he comes over for coffee every morning. He and Jim spend a lot of time together. But when I'm there, they always include me in their conversations. They make me feel that I am really part of a family."

"Bobby, I know you've seen and done a lot of things that most kids your age don't ever have to go through. Do you understand the relationship between Jim and Nathan?"

"They are gay. They really love each other. You know Jim went through the same things I did, with my dad. He still has problems dealing with it, too. Nathan is working with him just like he does me."

"Have they made any sexual advances to you?"

"No way. I would've already run away again if they'd done that."

"But they do show affection."

"Sure, they both give me lots of love. I wish my dad could have given me hugs like they do. I almost call them Dad sometimes."

"Do they show affection to each other in front of you?"

"They're always hugging and kissing, but not like sexual. I walked in on them in the kitchen one night when they thought I was watching TV. They were smooching. They got real embarrassed and Nathan went home. I felt ashamed that I had interrupted. Jim spent the night sitting in the kitchen. I know it was because of the shit that my dad did to him. Oops. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to use that word."

"It's okay, Bobby. That's a very good word to describe the things you dad did to you two."

"Well, it took a lot of talking with Nathan to get Jim back on track."

"Bobby, tell me about your mother."

Bobby hung his head for a minute. When he looked up at the Judge there were tears running down his cheeks.

"I don't remember her ever hugging me. She always patted me on the head, like I was a pet or something. She has never said that she loves me. I don't think that she really knows how to love anyone. She seems to hate everyone. I think she even hates herself."

Judge Gonzales nodded. "So, I assume you want to stay with Jim?"

"Please, Ma'am. I want to stay there more than anything. My grandparents are too old to take care of me. Besides, they blame me for the things my dad did to me. They hate Jim, too. Jim's the only one that has ever loved me....him and Nathan. Please, let me live with them."

"Bobby, I won't promise, but it looks very promising that you will. Are you ready to go back into the courtroom and finish this?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I'm ready."

One of Mrs. Sharpe's assistants placed a chair on the opposite side of the table. Mrs. Sharpe asked Marti to please be seated in the chair. Marti walked over to the table and looked at the single chair and then at her lawyer.

"Your gentleman friend is free to go get a cup of coffee." Mrs. Sharpe said.

"He is my legal representative." Marti chopped the words out.

"He will not be needed here. You may dismiss him, Mrs. Baxter."

Marti motioned with her chin for him to leave, then sat down. The man looked relieved to go. Marti glared belligerently at Mrs. Sharpe, who ignored her as she perused the papers in front of her. After a couple of minutes, Marti gave up her attempt to intimidate and looked at the other people seated at the table. The two assistants she found uninteresting, but the big blonde man sitting at the end of the table quietly observing her, disturbed her. She found him very attractive, but he made her feel uneasy. Her glance kept going back to him. His expression didn't change. He just impassively looked at her as if she were a specimen on a tray waiting to be dissected. She squirmed under his gaze.

Finally, Mrs. Sharpe, cleared her throat. Marti turned her attention back to her no longer feeling belligerent and defiant. Mrs. Sharpe gave her a tight little smile.

"Mrs. Baxter, when was the last time you saw your son?" Mrs. Sharpe asked.

Marti mentally cringed. This was not going to go well for her.

As the doors to the court room closed behind them George slowed his stride to allow Jim to walk beside him down the wide corridor. "May I buy you a cup of coffee, Jim?"

"That would be good, thanks." Jim thought that a shot of hard liquor was more what he wanted just then.

When they had their coffee sitting in front of them at a table in the cafeteria, George looked at Jim who was studying the texture of the Formica tabletop. "I guess I kind of outed you boys a while ago, didn't I?"

Jim glanced up at him and back at the table. "Yes, Sir, you did. I can't believe that Nathan told you about us without first discussing it with me."

"He didn't tell me, Jim." Jim looked up with raised eyebrows. "Actually you both did. Actions speak louder than words. The way you two look and act toward each other makes it very obvious to me that you are in love."

Jim frowned. "Are you saying we are acting like a couple of fags?"

"Far from it, Jim. You are both very masculine men. Nobody would ever know if they weren't aware of what to look for. I had actually been told by my daughter a couple of weeks ago, right after she met you, that Nathan had finally found his man."

Jim Blushed again. "He told Susan that?"

"No. She surmised it by the subtle interaction between you two."

"I guess we'd better be more careful around other people."

"No need for that. Ninety-nine out of a hundred people would never see it."

Jim sipped his coffee and thought about Nathan. George brought him back to the moment.

"I think Bobby is very lucky. He will benefit greatly by your and Nathan's guidance. He needs it. He needs lots of love, too."

"Do you really think that Judge Gonzales will give me custody?"

"I don't think there is any doubt. His father is in jail waiting trial. His mother basically abandoned him three years ago. The last thing the Court wants to do, if it can be helped, is to put a child into the foster home program."

"What about Marti showing up? She is his mother."

"She has already diminished what slim chance she had by antagonizing the judge."

George looked at his watch. "It's time to go back in."

When Jim entered the courtroom, he immediately noticed that another table had been brought into the room. The three longer tables were placed in a semi-circle facing the smaller table at which Judge Gonzales had sat. Marti sat at the new table between the other two so that she directly faced the judge. Jim said a silent thanks when he saw that Marti was not seated where she would look directly at him.

Nathan and Mrs. Sharpe and her assistants were already in their seats. As Jim and George pulled their chairs back, the small door behind the judge's table opened and the deputy escorted Bobby to his seat between George and Jim. Bobby kept his eyes away from where his mother sat staring at him. If he had looked at her, he would have seen her open hostility and hatred.

Judge Gonzales stood in the open doorway watching the woman before she entered and everybody stood up. She noticed that Marti only half rose from her seat and sat back down before she, the Judge, sat. Judge Gonzales arranged the papers on her desk, then she looked at Mrs. Sharpe and asked, "May I have your records of the interview with Mrs. Baxter, please?"

An assistant rose and handed them to her. The judge glanced up at Nathan. "Mr. Taylor may I read your notes also?"

He handed them to her. She read for several minutes as everybody sat and watched. She eventually raised her eyes to study Marti. "Mrs. Baxter," she paused, "are you aware that your ex-husband, Bobby's father, repeatedly sexually molested Bobby?"

Marti blanched. She looked at the judge, and then glanced around the room wishing her lawyer was beside her. She looked back at the judge who was intently staring at her.

"Answer my question, Mrs. Baxter. And remember this is a court of law."

"I-I--Bobby told me one time that his father had hurt him. I thought he meant that he had been spanked--or something. I can't imagine Robert doing something like that."

"You never thought to ask how he had been hurt?"

"Aaaaaaaa---- No ma'am. He was holding his rear end. Like I said, I thought he had been spanked."

"I see." She studied the papers in front of her. She looked back at Marti.

"I suppose you never thought to question why his attitude and behavior toward you changed so radically?"

"I just put it to his becoming a rebellious teenager."

"When you decided to send Bobby to live with his father, after your divorce, what was Bobby's reaction."

"He refused to go. He ran away."

"And you never questioned why your son was acting like this?"

"I just figured he was being rebellious. I was trying to get my career on track and he was distracting me."

"Are you telling me that your career was more important than your son?"

"No, Ma'am, but I had to make a living for us since Robert had left."

The judge started searching through the documents in front of her. Selecting one, she perused it and then looked up at Marti.

"This document indicates that after your divorce, Robert not only paid you a generous alimony and child support, he also continued to make your car and house payments." She looked up at Marti.

"Yes, Ma'am." Marti looked nervous as she confirmed what the judge said, but offered no comment. The judge waited a moment to see if anything more was forth coming.

"Mrs. Baxter, your lifestyle wasn't diminished. Why did you decide to seek a career other than staying home and caring for your son?"

"I am still young. I couldn't just sit at home and go to seed."

The judge stared at her a moment. "I see." She paused. The seconds passed into a minute and the minute snailed by. "Mrs. Baxter, if I allow you custody of Bobby what are your plans for him?"

Marti glanced at Bobby and saw that Jim and Bobby's handsome lawyer each had a hand on his shoulders. She sneered and then looked blandly at the judge. "Now that I am working, I can afford to send him to a nice private school in Sacramento."

"Tell me about this school."

"It is an all boys school that promotes discipline and academics."

"This is a military school?"

"Yes. Yes, it is."

"Is it you opinion that Bobby needs the strict discipline that this school would provide?"

Marti stared at the judge.

"Is this your opinion?"

"When Bobby lived with me he was unruly and rebelled all the time. Now, when I try to talk to him he ignores me." Marti was actually whining. "I am his mother and he acts like I don't even exist. And-- and he had terrible grades, too."

"Why do you think this is?"

"He needs to be taught to be obedient and to show respect for his elders."

"I see. Mrs. Baxter, I see many children and young people every day. I found Bobby to be one of the most mature polite young men I have ever met. As to his grades, he was at the top of his class before his father started abusing him. I am sure that in the right atmosphere he will excel again. I do not agree with you that a military school is the thing for Bobby. He needs to be in a nurturing loving home where the adults will give him the love and guidance he needs. Mrs. Baxter, I want you to think about this next question. I want you to be honest with yourself. I don't want an answer. Do you love your son?"

Marti paled. Judge Gonzales nodded to herself as she noted Marti's reaction.

The Judge bowed her head as she paused again in thought. She raised her head and studied the three primaries before her. She bowed her ahead again and closed her eyes as though she were praying. Gloria Gonzales was praying, as she did each time she had to make a decision about a child's life. She raised her head and looked at Bobby.

"Bobby, I think you are a very admirable young man. You have experienced crimes against you that no one should ever have to experience, and even though you do have emotional scars, they will eventually heal, you are level headed and quite mature mentally and emotionally. I am giving James Baxter legal custody of you until your eighteenth birthday."

Bobby grinned, and hugged Jim. Jim, too, was all smiles as he hugged Bobby and kissed the top of his head. Marti turned a dark red in her fury at this decision.

"I want you to show me that I am right in doing this," Judge Gonzales continued. "I understand you are already registered for school. Montelinda High School is one of the best academic centers in this state. I think you will do well in meeting the challenges it will present. Make the best of it, Bobby."

She turned to Marti. "Mrs. Baxter, as I see it, you basically abandoned Bobby three years ago ......to pursue a career. Bobby would certainly not get the care and nurturing or the psychological counseling that he will need in a military school. I grant you visitation rights with the stipulation that Bobby agrees to see you. Bobby is fifteen. I think he is old enough and mature enough to make that decision. The visits will be conducted under the guidance of Bobby's psychiatrist, Mr. Taylor. Good luck with your career."

The judge turned to Jim. "Jim, you have been handed a huge responsibility. You and you solely are responsible for Bobby's welfare for the next three years. With Nathan's help I am certain that Bobby is in the best of hands. May God bless and assist you."

And then she turned to address the social workers. "Mrs. Sharpe, may I commend you and your group for doing an excellent job once again. This hearing is adjourned."

Nathan stood up. "Excuse me, Judge Gonzales, may I have a word with you before Mrs. Baxter leaves the room?"

Marti was just pushing back her chair to stand. She froze on hearing her name.

"Of course, Nathan, how may I help you?"

Nathan approach and spoke to her in a low voice. Marti stood up clutching her purse, looking impatient. The Judge studied at her as Nathan spoke. She nodded when he finished.

She turned to Marti. "Mrs. Baxter, Mr. Taylor has reminded me of your continued antagonism and prejudice towards Jim Baxter. I am issuing an order that you are not to come within five hundred feet of him. You are to have no communication with him at all. There are dire penalties if you disobey this court order. If and when you visit your son it will be under the watchful eyes of Mr. Taylor, who is Bobby's court appointed psychiatrist. Am I understood?"

Marti glowered and nodded. "Yes Ma'am, you are understood." She turned and marched out of the court room. There was an audible sigh of relief as the doors whooshed closed.