Jigsaw

With seven passengers crowding Maureen's Camry and five in the EMT mobile unit, the party proceeded up State Route 4 to Arkham, and to Maureen's home. 'Bastian and Eli emerged from the right front door of the car, went to the rear of the EMT, where Bobby opened the door and Eli began floating Mickey out.

Harry drew Skipper to one side. "Listen, we need to prevail on you for two more things. First, can you take little Raffy over tonight to the McKendrick home, and help him to get clothes for the three of them? Then, can you and Bobby be available to transport Mickey and Jared back to Farmington to court tomorrow?"

"No problem with taking Raffy on the clothes run. Bobby's got school tomorrow, but I'll be available."

'Bastian walked up to them. "Bobby needs to be in court with you guys tomorrow. Trust me on that one, please."

"His mother isn't going to like it."

"Well, it's everyone's job to make sure justice is done and kids don't get short shrift just for being kids. And that includes even kids like us," the slight 10-year-old blond boy told the tall, muscular 20-year-old EMT.

Skipper nodded. "I'll let her know."

'Bastian took Skipper's hand and then Bobby's as well, as he came walking up. He appeared to 'zone out' for a second, then said, "Make sure he's there. Harry, I need your backup on this."

"Done," Harry said. "Bobby, 'Bastian said you need to be in court tomorrow, and when we talked about you needing to be in school, he got emphatic. From what I know of Clan Intelligence methods, he absolutely needs you there or he'd have found a way to work around it. That means if you don't show up voluntarily, Judge Josiah will probably have to subpoena you, so make it easy on everyone and be there."

"I don't have a problem with it," said Bobby. "'Bastian, can you tell me...." But 'Bastian had walked over to Maureen, and was asking permission to use her computer.

Eli was floating Jared into the house, with Jed dancing attendance on him. Jonas carried a very tired Peter in. Harry called Raffy over. "Hey, little dude, are you up to riding over to your old house and getting changes of clothes for yourself, Mickey, and Jared? Get something dressy to wear to court, plus some casual stuff."

"Sure," Raffy said. "We're spending the night here?"

"That's right," Jonas said, coming up behind them.

"I suppose I'd better head for home," Harry said.

"Um, no," Maureen said, yawning. "I called Abbie while you were talking to that insufferable bureaucrat. We both figured you would want to put together your plan for tomorrow, and then spend the night with Jonas."

"Well, uh..." Harry was blushing.

"Harry Bertram, don't you try to pull the wool over my eyes," Maureen said smiling. "The only question I have is if you two are going to be honest enough about it that we can bed someone down in the other twin bed."

Harry was completely nonplussed. Jonas grinned. "There are certain disadvantages to having an investigative reporter for a mother! Hmmm... I doubt Mickey is going to want to share a room with us, under the circumstances. Why not put Jared and Jed there?"

"Sounds fine by me," Maureen said. "I'm off to bed - get everyone settled and we'll sort things out in the morning."

---

"Okay, guys, listen up," said Jonas as the boys arrayed themselves around the living room. "There's a lot of ground to cover, the guys up from Charleston need to go back, and we're all tired. Harry, will you go call Teri as we discussed, please?

"The basic plan is, tomorrow we all go back to Farmington, to appear in court. Josiah will preside, but will call me up to sit with him in behalf of the Clan. That gives us room to get things done in accordance with the Safe Haven Act and other Federation law.

"First item tonight is, Mickey, have you got past the 'I can't walk so I'm no good to anybody' pity party yet?" Jonas’s tone was compassionate but no-nonsense, as he looked his longtime friend in the eyes.

"Well, yeah, but..."

"No buts about it, dude. Half the jobs in America today don't require being able to walk, even if Federation medicine can't restore your legs to use - and I'll bet they can."

Eli piped up, "Look, dude, I expected to be the crippled freak the rest of my life. Give me a week, and I'll have two working arms and two working legs again - never mind that they're android parts. If they can do that for me, they can for you. Or do I have to send my leg over to kick your butt again?" He grinned.

Mickey laughed. "I get your point, but what about my brothers? They've still got to go into foster homes, and there’s nothing I can do about that."

Harry came walking back in, and over to Mickey with a sheaf of paperwork. "This is the Safe Haven Act, dude. Jed, Jonas, and I are all able to invoke it, even over Judge Josiah's objections if he had any - and he doesn't; he was the one that got us involved. Look here." Mickey's eyes got large as he read the passage Harry pointed to and realized the implications.

"Pete, the same goes for you, too," Jonas said. "I don't know what they'll be able to do for you, but you'll get the best of Federation medical skills."

"Oh, I'm ready to die," the nine-year-old said stoically with an earnest air. "They were good enough to tell me that I was terminal, and then help me go through the stuff that you feel when you find out you're dying. My dream is to actually be able to help someone before I go. If I can't have that, then I just want to be with other kids, and be able to have a little fun."

"Don't give up," said Jed abruptly. "I was ready to - so afraid I couldn't tell good guys from bad. And if I had, I'd have lost every chance for the future, and Jared."

"Speaking of which," Jonas said with a blush, "do you and Jared mind sharing the other bed in my room? With as many people as are here, I can't give you privacy, but at least you'll have some time together, and, uh, Harry and I will be otherwise occupied."

Jed blushed deeply but met Jonas’s eyes. "That suits me, thanks. Jare', I've learned a lot about showing your feelings since I've been in Orlando, and I did hear you praying. So it's time to say what I never got the balls to while we were best buddies living in the same town: I love you. Will you be my boyfriend?"

Jared's face registered shock. "Everybody will call us names, Jed!"

Mickey spoke up. "Jare', I was gonna tell you that I knew how you felt, and that I stood by you. Just as soon as we got home from the camping trip." He winced. "Anyone calling you names has to answer to me - maybe I can run over them in my wheelchair." He tried to smile.

Jonas added, "It's not just Mickey, Jare'. First, they'll have to explain themselves to me - and my boyfriend." Harry lit up at this first public acknowledgement of their relationship. "And I know a group of guys who are almost all gay, and will bring a lot of power to bear if need be."

"Yeah," said Jed. "One of them shot a cop right here in this room, and his boyfriend shot old man Scordo at my parents' funeral. You think they'll let mouthy kids get away with harassing you?"

Eli added, "And between me and *my* boyfriend, we'll know just what they're thinking and can stop 'em from doing anything."

Jared’s smile lit up the room. "You guys are serious?"

"Believe it, dude!"

"Then yes, yes, I love you, Jed!" He melted into Jed's side.

"Okay, then, sleeping rooms. Jed and Jared take the other bed in my room," Jonas said. "Mickey, I can either get you laid out on the couch or the recliner, or take the guest bed. I'd suggest the latter, and let Raffy cuddle with you. He's been through a lot."

"Can I, too?" asked Peter.

"Sure, little guy," said Mickey.

A thumping at the door turned out to be Raffy and Bobby with the McKendrick boys' clothes. "We'll be over in the morning," Bobby said. Harry gave him a thumbs-up as he turned to leave.

'Bastian came out of Maureen’s study with three PADDs, and silently handed one to Jonas and one to Harry. Jed motioned for the third one, and 'Bastian handed it to him. "That one was for the judge, actually," he said.

"I kind of figured that," Jed answered. "But I need to be able to back my brothers up, so I need to know what's going on, right?"

"True," said 'Bastian. "You're doing just fine!"

Eli looked at Jonas and Harry. "Look, if I get Mickey and Jared upstairs, will you be able to carry them back down in the morning? We're going to need to beam back to Charleston tonight."

"I think we can manage," Jonas said. "And we'll have Skipper here before we have to leave if worse comes to worst. I've seen him carry an unconscious 220 pound man when I was riding with Mom covering stories."

"Okay, then," Eli said. "You guys ready to fly upstairs? Second star to the right, and all that stuff." He grinned.

"You do the least convincing Peter Pan imitation I've ever seen," giggled Jed. Eli's 'pet leg' attempted to sneak around behind Jed, who said, "Oh, no, you don't!"

With Harry helping steer Mickey and Jed helping steer Jared, Eli then levitated both boys upstairs and into the appropriate bedrooms, while 'Bastian quickly went over the PADDs with Jonas. Then Eli strapped his leg on again, called the Lafayette on his communicator, and he and 'Bastian beamed out en route back to Charleston.

Harry shooed the two youngest, who were both dragging from fatigue, upstairs and in with Mickey, where they promptly cuddled up to him and fell asleep. "Just holler if you need anything," Harry told Mickey. "We're right next door."

He proceeded into Jonas's bedroom, where Jared, still in his hospital gown and cast, was lying on the spare bed, with Jed sitting on the foot of that bed. Jonas was just walking across from having helped Jared get positioned.

Jonas began to strip for bed. Harry looked over at the younger couple. "Hey, dude, looks like we've still got a bit of talking to do," he said.

Jonas followed his gaze. "Um, guys, maybe we're pushing you into something too fast...?" he began.

Jed and Jared both quickly said, "No!" and then both blushed deeply.

Jonas finished stripping. Harry pulled off shoes, socks, and shirt, and drew a breath. "Look, guys, you've camped out together; I'll bet you've slept together at camp, right?"

"Yep," Jed said. "Remember, I spent a couple of nights nesting with the Clan. I'm just terribly worried that I'll say or do the wrong thing with Jared."

"That's what I was going to get at," Harry said. "Just climb into bed together like you would have done when you were sharing a sleeping bag, and then relax and enjoy each other's nearness. The rest'll come naturally, and you don't need to worry about us. Although actually, this will be the first time we've slept together in front of anyone else."

"Really?" said Jed. "I know you were in Orlando this weekend, but Rina took Ceej and me shopping, so we didn't get over to see you."

"We took a private room the two nights we were there," Jonas said. "Now, go ahead and strip down, Jed, and then get that stupid gown off Jared. 'Bastian clued me in on how he feels, and you really don't need to worry. C'mon, Har', hop in here and let's do our best to give them some privacy and claim some for ourselves."

"You comfortable with this, Jare'?" Jed asked.

"Embarrassed, eager, nervous, you name it, I feel it," Jared said. "You really love me?"

"Naah, I just transported up here and got into fights with nurses and security men at the hospital for the fun of it. What do you think?" Jed's sarcasm was tempered by a broad and loving grin. "Of course I do. I've missed you, even with all the strange stuff that’s been going on. You know, the last thing I thought about before finding my parents dead was going camping with you - which would have been last weekend." He stripped as he spoke, and paused with only tented boxers on. "Ya ready for this?"

Jared grinned. "Drop 'em!" he said.

Jed slipped his boxers off. "No pubes yet," he said, blushing.

"That's good - means they won't get caught in my teeth," Jared said with a wink.

Jed's eyes lit up. He pulled off Jared's hospital gown and slid in beside him. "Hold still," he said, and kissed him.

"Woah!" Jared said, and kissed back, more passionately. As they continued to kiss, the boys' bodies seemed to be choreographed, moving into alignment and then rhythmically thrusting together.

---

Jared awoke to a state of contentment. Although the cast on his leg was a dead weight, he felt light and happy. Draped half over him was Jed's sleeping nude body. He looked around, and saw Jonas grinning at him from the other bed. "Good morning," he said with a happy note. "Looks like you had a good night!"

Jared turned bright red. "Well, yeah," he said embarrassedly.

"Don't sweat it, man!" Jonas said. "You know, this is getting to be a habit. It was the day after Jed went to Orlando I had to tell Harry the same thing, and he was panicking about being in bed with me with morning wood. Speaking of which, do you need a bedpan or something?"

"Um, yeah," Jared said. "Um, how do I...."

"Tell you what, dude," Jonas said. "Let's wake up these two, and get showers in. We can walk you to the bathroom, and balance you in front of the toilet. Then we'll get you sitting on a chair there, and you can give yourself a sponge bath - or Jed can give you one, which I'll bet he'll be enthusiastic about doing. Just let me make sure Mother's downstairs already, before we have nude boys running around the upstairs."

"You're so cool about this stuff," Jared said. "I figured it would be all kinds of embarrassing and tough to come out."

"You'll still get more than a little of that in Arkham, I'm sorry to say," Jonas answered. "But I'm only a week or two ahead of you on this. We're pretty much in exactly the same boat this morning, you know."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Well, we're both waking up in bed with our best friend, who just recently became sex partner and probable lifelong mate - I assume you feel that way about Jed? It was the same thing for me just twelve days back as it is for you this morning. But you wanna know the trick?"

"Sure do!"

"It's one you learned from your parents or Pastor Tucker, really: the Golden Rule. Just treat someone else exactly the same way as you'd want to be treated if you were in their shoes - or in their bed, in your case." Jonas grinned. "I'm not yet altogether comfortable with being 'out' as Harry’s boyfriend - and I still have some issues about what's going to happen long-range to iron out inside myself. But when I saw you looking kind of embarrassed this morning, I just figured how I'd want to be treated if someone found me waking up next to my boyfriend. Admittedly, it was easy enough to do, because that's just where I was." He chuckled. "But honestly, that's the trick. You'd think in a country where that's taught to everyone from childhood on, it'd be easy for people to pick up on, and start doing. But you know what happens."

Jonas got up, stuck his head out the door. "Coast is clear; Mom's downstairs. Wake up that boyfriend of yours. Harry! Rise and shine. Hurry up, or your grandmother'll see your boner!"

Jared was giggling at the last thing Jonas had said. "It's back from when we were kids; I won't tell the story unless he says it's OK," Jonas explained. "Hey, Jed, quit playing with Jared's wiener and go wake up your brothers and Peter!"

After showers and in two cases sponge baths, which produced a bunch of giggling among the younger contingent, the group moved downstairs. Jared discovered that he could manage stairs with Jed helping him balance, holding the railing on one side, Jed on the other, and hopping on his good leg. Harry and Jonas were about to move Mickey downstairs on the one-grabs-shoulders-and-the-other-legs method when Skipper and Bobby arrived. "Let me get him," Skipper said firmly, bounced up the stairs, and put Mickey into fireman's carry, bringing him down smoothly.

Maureen had three plates of pancakes ready and more cooking as they moved everyone into the dining room. After a filling breakfast, they made ready for the trip to Farmington. With Jed again riding with Jared and Mickey in Skipper and Bobby’s mobile unit, Maureen had only Jonas, Harry, Raffy, and Peter to transport.

---

As they arrived at court, Jonas slipped away from the group and went to Josiah's chambers with one of the PADDs. He returned a few minutes later carrying a black robe, and motioned to the bailiff, pointing to Josiah's chambers. The bailiff went in, came out two minutes later and motioned three of the retired sheriff's deputies who served as court security over to him, handing them folded forms. They nodded and strode briskly out the exit. Jonas sat down with the others awaiting the start of court.

A few minutes later, one of the deputies returned, accompanied by a sour-faced woman and three boys, one a husky 14-year-old and the other two apparently twins about 7 years old. Another deputy came in a few minutes later, escorting by the arm a pinched-faced businessman and leading a mousy-looking woman.

The bailiff went back into Josiah's chambers, came out, and announced, "Hear ye, hear ye, the Family Court of the County of Franklin and State of Maine is now in session, the honorable Josiah Brewster presiding. Let all who need justice done draw nigh. All rise!"

Josiah motioned everyone to their seats. "I need to make a preliminary announcement," he said. "As those of you who are regulars in this courtroom know, I am a firm believer in following proper procedure, and guidelines for Family Courts in this state are laid down in statute. However, not only those statutes but also the basic principles on which this court exists are intended to do justice to and for the families and young people of this county. When empty adherence to the minutiae of the law substitutes for the doing of justice, the people lose their respect for the courts, *and well they should.* To give you an example, if someone raised the objection that a given statute law affecting a child before this court violated that child's rights under the Constitution, I would adjourn that case, study the objection thoroughly and carefully, and if I agreed with that objection, I would not think twice about ruling in accord with the Constitution instead of as called for by statute law.

"Today much of what comes before this court will be governed, not by procedures set down by the State of Maine, but by those of the United Federation of Planets, and that aspect of Vulcan planetary law that has been made binding throughout the Federation, including in this state, by act of the Federation High Council. So some things that are highly unusual for this court will be occurring. I want it to be placed on formal record that as the judge presiding, I have researched carefully the relevant laws and precedents, and what happens will be completely legal and binding in this state, which is of course part of the United States and therefore of the Federation as well.

"Let me start with this," Josiah continued, holding up the PADD. "This contains electronic testimony sealed against tampering regarding several cases that will be heard today. There are two additional copies present in court; I intend to ask that one be handed to the court recorder for the official record at the conclusion of this court session. The data it contains was obtained telepathically by a family member of a regional Commander in Starfleet Security who has been trained in Vulcan evidence techniques. By act of law and dozens of precedents, it is deemed acceptable evidence in any American court. Since, thank God, there are no delinquency cases against children or marital conflicts coming before the court today, we will be proceeding ex parte in each case, with anyone having business to bring before the court related to each child's needs and welfare able to speak up as needed, and no adversarial attorney clashes needed."

At that point the third deputy entered, escorting Elvira Oakridge, who had a look of anger on her face. "Good morning, Ms. Oakridge," Josiah said with a crocodile smile. "I trust you're doing well this fine Monday morning."

"No thanks to you, Josiah Brewster," Elvira responded. "I was just getting ready to go escort three orphaned boys to their new homes when your deputy showed up with a summons. I trust you have good reason for disturbing my routine like this?"

"I certainly do, Elvira," Josiah answered her. "Some public-spirited citizens have saved you a great deal of wasted effort. Have a seat."

"Hmmmph," she sniffed. Harry, who loved 'The Wizard of Oz,' stifled a giggle; Elvira sounded precisely like Margaret Hamilton's bicycle-riding spinster character from the pre-tornado Kansas sequence.

"First item of business before the court are petitions from the Town of Arkham Welfare Office for the placement of three boys. First, I have here a petition to commit one Michael Harmon McKendrick to the Franklin County Extended Care Facility as a disabled youth. If *Michael Harmon McKendrick* is present," Josiah said, stressing the 'Michael,' "would he please approach the bench?" Mickey leaned forward angrily; Josiah motioned him back, with a wink.

"That's him over there, in the wheelchair," Elvira said.

"I told you that's not my name," Mickey said to her heatedly.

"Michael Harmon McKendrick not being present in this court, and diligent research by our deputies having not located a person with that name within this county, I must deny this petition as being irrelevant to any pending case before this court," Josiah said, and banged his gavel.

"That's the boy right over there, I tell you," Elvira said, rising to her feet.

"Why, Ms. Oakridge!" Maureen said sweetly, "Sure, an' I'd've thought you were such a stickler for making paperwork out perfectly. I'm nae a lawyer nor a social worker, but even I would be knowin' that a commitment order, of all things, must be made out with complete accuracy, since it trounces on the rights of the person committed, like a Black and Tan over some poor crofter."

"Give me that paperwork, and I'll make out fresh forms reading 'Mickey' if everyone is so all-fired insistent on using a nickname," Elvira said angrily.

"Oh, I think not," Josiah said from the bench. "It would seem that your decisions in this case and those of his brothers caused other parties to intervene.

"Which brings me to my next departure from standard operating procedure," Josiah continued. "Jonas, would you slip on that robe and come up here, please?"

Jonas did so; a stir of whispering went through the courtroom.

"That's just that reporter woman's son," Elvira said.

"I'm proud to be 'that reporter woman's son,'" Jonas said to her, "but I'm here in another capacity altogether."

"For the court record, Jonas, would you be so kind as to state aloud your *full* identity and the grounds on which you join me on the bench today?" Josiah addressed the 15-year-old formally, as if welcoming a colleague.

"I am Jonas Patrick McConnaghay. As an American citizen, I am a resident of the Town of Arkham in this county. But the reason I have the privilege and responsibility of joining Judge Brewster on today's cases is that I am a member of Clan Short of the Family of Sarek of the House of Surok of the Planet Vulcan, and I have been delegated by our Clan Patriarch to preside over a Clan Tribunal sitting jointly with the Franklin County Family Court. To be legal, my actions here must be taken in conformity with the Safe Haven Act of the United Federation of Planets and/or the Clan Short Charter."

Josiah prompted, "And that Charter is effective...."

Jonas caught the point. "The Clan is authorized under Vulcan law and treaty and the Safe Haven Act to intervene on any of seven planets, including Earth, whenever a child is not provided with a safe, happy, nurturing living environment and other authorities cannot or will not act to correct the problem."

"And you have grounds to feel that local authorities cannot or will not take needed action here?" Josiah asked.

"Begging your pardon, your honor, but yes, we do." Jonas’s tone was respectful but firm, as he and Josiah had agreed was needed at this point. "Material from this PADD will be read into the record to give complete legal substantiation, but in quick summary, Sebastian J. Martin, a fully trained and Vulcan certified telepath, affirms here that Ms. Elvira Oakridge took the quickest possible means to dispose of three orphaned boys, without making any determination of the appropriateness of the placements and without consultation with the boys. When Clan Short heard of this, we consulted with you, judge, and discovered you were not empowered to overturn her placements in the absence of a clear violation of law. We then intervened and assumed custody of the boys. Today's hearing will be to determine placements for them that will meet with the Clan's standards for placements."

"Just to back up young Mr. Martin's testimony with the boys' own words," Josiah said, "let us ask them individually. Mickey Harmon McKendrick, were you consulted by Elvira Oakridge or any other person prior to her informing you that you were to be committed to the Franklin County Extended Care Facility?"

"No sir, your honor. I was not. She came into my hospital room and told me that I was going to that nursing home."

"Jared Scott McKendrick, did Ms. Oakridge or anyone else consult with you prior to your placement with the Eccles family?"

"No, your honor. She just came in and told me I was going there. And they threatened to beat on me when they came to see me."

"She didn't ask me, either, Judge," piped up Raffy.

Josiah smiled indulgently. "Let the record show that Raphael Erskine McKendrick volunteered the answer prior to my asking."

Jonas then stood and said, "For the information of all whom it may concern, this Clan Tribunal, sitting with this Family Court just as at the present time, identified these facts last night while in emergency session at the Regional Hospital, and superseded State of Maine law to assume temporary custody of Mickey, Jared, and Raffy. The formal transcript of that sitting is being prepared by hospital staff and will be forwarded to Family Court records here. It now remains to determine what appropriate permanent custody should be for them."

Josiah picked up at that point. "The proposed placement of Raphael Erskine McKendrick with Barry and Ingrid Samuelson is not in and of itself a bad placement; the Samuelsons have been caring and skilled foster parents in the past and will, I hope, be again. But in this particular case, separating Raphael from his brothers with no agemates available, would constitute Mental Abuse under Sections 12.2 and 12.3 of the Safe Haven Act, and would further violate the provisions of Section 135.2, relating to keeping a family together if possible."

Harry spoke up from the audience, "Your honor, Section 138.8 (e) is also relevant."

"And that says what, Mr. Johnson?" Josiah asked.

"It calls for taking into consideration the wishes of the minor who is being considered for placement. This being a joint session of Family Court and Clan Tribunal, I felt that it was appropriate for me to ensure that Ms. Oakridge's failure to consult with any of the McKendrick brothers should be clearly on record as being in violation of that Section."

"Your correction of the record is duly noted, Harry, with the thanks of the court," Jonas said. "The proposed placement of Raphael with the Samuelsons therefore falls short of justice on three grounds: inadequate interaction with peers, unnecessary separation from siblings, and failure to take the wishes of the minor subject to placement into consideration. Jonas?"

"As Judge Brewster has outlined to me, a State of Maine Family Court may not overturn the placement proposed by a Town Welfare Officer unless such placement violates State of Maine law. Clan Short is under no such limitation, but is authorized and required to act in accordance with Federation law and Vulcan justice. This Clan Tribunal therefore voids and makes of no effect the proposed placement of Raphael Erskine McKendrick as being in violation of the Safe Haven Act and as falling short of justice as defined by either Earth or Vulcan standards. It is so ordered."

Elvira was on her feet. "You are nothing but a teenage brat too big for your britches, and you have no right to interfere with my authority!"

"Sit down, Elvira!" Josiah’s voice was firm and cold.

"Well, I never!" Elvira said huffily.

"Maybe you oughta; it might make you less bitchy," Jared piped up. A ripple of laughter ran through the onlookers. Josiah hid a smile.

"I won’t let you make a mockery of this state's courts and welfare system by allowing some young imposter to sit there with you as if he were a judge, Josiah Brewster!"

"Bailiff, take her and subdue her. Gag her if she won't stay quiet voluntarily." Josiah's voice would have cut steel. "I had hoped to deal with this next part privately and not put you through public obloquy, Ms. Oakridge. But your conduct forces me to deal with it in open court.

"According to the testimony recorded by young Mr. Martin on this PADD, it appears that state aid and tax levy funds entrusted to the Town of Arkham Welfare Office for the care and support of the poor, the orphaned, the elderly, and so on, were laundered through the Western Maine State Bank, and large unexplained sums paid out to Randall Scordo, to Elvira Oakridge, and to the First Fundamentalist Church of Christ, the latter payable to one Jordan Eccles. The laundering scheme involved several accounts managed by Mr. Eccles. Mrs. Dupré, do you have the records I requested?"

The mousy-looking woman who had accompanied the second deputy into court earlier spoke up. "Yes, I do, your honor."

"And do they bear out Sebastian Martin's testimony?"

"Yes, they do."

"Then in accordance with the Combined Court Procedures Act of the State of Maine, I, Josiah Brewster, Judge of the Family Court of the County of Franklin, do hereby remand Elvira Oakridge and Jordan Eccles to the custody of the Sheriff for the felony crimes of welfare fraud, grand theft, and money laundering. I further order that if they should post bail, they shall not enter into their previous places of employment, that is, the Town of Arkham Welfare Office and the Western Maine State Bank, in order to assure that no obfuscation of the record or further financial crime is committed. This order shall stand until confirmed or superseded by order of a judge of the Superior Criminal Court after review of the relevant record. Take them away! Mrs. Dupré, please take the subpoenaed records to the State Attorney's office here in the courthouse, and entrust them to one of the prosecutors there."

Jonas rose. "On the basis of the testimony found in this PADD, I also find Elvira Oakridge to be guilty of malfeasance in a public trust, that is, her employment by the Town of Arkham, in violation of Section 81.2 of the Safe Haven Act. I suspend imposition of a sentence until the Superior Criminal Court has heard and rendered judgment in the other crimes for which she is being held."

The deputy who had escorted the businessman into court earlier that day now walked over, grabbed his arms, and handcuffed him. "Mr. Eccles, you have the right to remain silent. If you give up that right, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to counsel and if you cannot afford counsel, the court will appoint counsel for you. Do you understand these rights?"

"The Lord will not let them go unpunished who condemn his righteous servants!" Eccles cried out.

"This court is not the proper place to bandy theology," Josiah said calmly. "But I cannot resist the opportunity to observe that according to the Bible, the job of the righteous is to do justice and love mercy, and to feed and clothe widows and orphans - not to steal from them to line your own pockets and to abuse them for your own sadistic pleasure. Just because we don't cloak it in holier-than-thou language does not mean that the rest of us are not committed to doing what He commands. Get him out of here."

While this was going on, another deputy had handcuffed Elvira. The two deputies now escorted their detainees out of the court. Josiah looked up. "Philip Wayne Eccles!"

The husky fourteen-year-old looked up startled. "Yes, sir?"

Josiah drew a deep breath. "The testimony placed before this court by young Mr. Martin which I have here" (he held up the PADD) "states that you and your foster brothers have been beaten with leather straps by Mr. and Mrs. Eccles. Have they in fact abused you in this manner?"

Philip stood silent. "Please answer my question," Josiah said patiently.

"It's not fair," Philip said with a look that mixed anger and despair.

"What's not fair, son?" Josiah asked compassionately.

"Well, sir, if I lie to you, God'll send me to Hell. If I tell the truth, they'll whale on me some more - and they told me if I said anything, they'd take it out on the twins. I can't let that happen to them. So find me in contempt. Better that than going to Hell or letting them beat those kids."

"I believe I have my answer already, Philip; thank you," Josiah said.

Jonas rose. "Mary Eccles, based on the evidence before this Tribunal, as recorded in this PADD and the statements of Jared McKendrick and Philip Eccles, I find you guilty of Physical and Mental Abuse in violation of Articles 11 and 12 of the Safe Haven Act. I make the same finding as regards Jordan Eccles, now in the custody of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. I sentence each of you to exile on a Federation prison planet, to be selected by Starfleet officials according to their needs, for a term which shall be no less than five years and may continue for the rest of your natural lives. At the end of five years, you shall have the option to be examined by Vulcan mind-meld when it is convenient for Starfleet to have a trained Vulcan telepath present at your planet of exile, to determine if you are truly contrite of your crimes and prepared to make amends. The execution of this sentence is suspended as a compassionate move until the conclusion of the charges brought earlier today against Jordan Eccles, so that you may serve your exile together, and you are remanded to the custody of the Sheriff of Franklin County until such time as the County releases Mr. Eccles to Federation custody."

"Can he *do* that?" asked a wide-eyed Philip.

"He not only can do that, but I'm pleasantly surprised at his ability to balance justice and mercy in his first sentencing," said Josiah. "Under certain circumstances, which I'm pleased did not prevail today, he could have ordered their immediate execution, and been within the powers vested in his Clan."

"What happens to us now?" asked one of the twins in a quavering voice.

"You're under the protection of Clan Short now," Jonas responded, "and we'll make sure that you get a home that *you* want and can be happy in. Hmmm... Harry, you want to take them into a conference room and talk with them?"

"Sure thing, Jonas," Harry responded, escorting the boys out a door at a far corner of the courtroom.

"As I noted at the beginning of today's sessions," Josiah said, "I have been obliged by circumstances to act in manners which are unquestionably legal but which are not a commonplace of State of Maine jurisprudence. Already I have accepted into evidence the electronic transcript of an affidavit of telepathic evidence," he said, holding up the PADD "and the seating of a teenaged member of Clan Short as my colleague on the bench" (and here he gestured at Jonas). "Now I must invoke a third innovation in court procedure, and I wish to reiterate that I do not gladly violate time-honored tradition, but I *will* do it when it is necessary to advance the cause of justice. The first and foremost duty of this and every court must be to do justice to and for those whom it serves, and no adherence to traditional ways of doing things should be allowed to interfere with that.

"This court, on its own motion, therefore takes notice of the binding precedent set by the Supreme Court of the United States, and confirmed by the Federation High Council, earlier this year in the case of Sumpter vs. Jeremy Sumpter Inc. For those not familiar with the facts of the case, the unscrupulous manager of young actor Jeremy Sumpter had formed a corporation to which the boy was legally contracted as the exclusive agent for his acting roles, public appearances, and similar income-gaining actions. Although young Mr. Sumpter had not agreed to this, since he was a minor, those with the right to act in his name had been inveigled into doing so. The Court's ruling and opinion was written by the judge from our neighboring state of New Hampshire, Justice David Souter, and an excerpt from it is very relevant to further actions before this court.

"The concept of a legal fiction," Josiah read from the opinion, "is one with a time-honored history. Presuming a limited-liability corporation to be a separate person from the flesh-and-blood individuals who comprise and own it, had the laudable effect of protecting their property and savings from the risks inherent in running a business, and therefore was a beneficial adjunct to increased commerce and financial health in the nation. Setting a minimum age when an individual may act in his own behalf, and make adult decisions, had the laudable effect of protecting the young from the unscrupulous and from their own youth and lack of experience.

"But when such legal fictions begin to act to the detriment of those they were created to protect, justice not only allows but demands that we name them for the fictions they are and give them no credence before the law. The presumptions that plaintiff may be bilked of his substance and compelled to work for only such income as his so-called agent chooses to render him, and that a corporation created as the beneficiary of the fruits of plaintiff's labor is a distinct person from himself, are contrary to the principles of justice."

Josiah drew a breath. "Although Justice Souter goes on to hedge his ruling in such a way that it does not overturn hundreds of years of commercial and child protection law, the essence of it is clear: when the concept of a minimum age to be able to make decisions, a so-called 'legal age,' is one that operates to the detriment of the child it is supposed to protect, it becomes contrary to the doing of justice to continue using it as a binding legal fiction in that particular case."

Jonas added, "The concept of legal age is one foreign to Vulcan law. When a young person demonstrates to his elders that he is capable of acting in an adult manner in some particular area of conduct, he is considered to be an adult as regards that area of conduct. When Judge Brewster and I conferred earlier, we agreed that it was in conformity with accepted practice and the just and logical thing to do, for the judge to rule under Maine and U.S. law in accordance with the Sumpter case. But I want it placed on record that this Tribunal was prepared to act under Vulcan diplomatic rights and the Clan Short Charter, separately from the judge, if necessary, to ensure that justice is done."

"This Court will now proceed to the matter of the custody of Mickey Harmon McKendrick," Josiah announced. "Mickey, I telephoned the principal of the high school. He called me back just before court. He contacted three of your teachers and both he and they confirm what I have been given to understand: that you are a very mature young man, calm and judicious in your actions."

"Your honor, may I interrupt for a moment?" The bailiff’s words startled Josiah, who gestured his consent. "As you may know, I gave up being Scoutmaster last year, when my youngest boy went away to college. But I still help out with the troop. And I'd like to have it placed on record that Mickey has been a mature, responsible leader among the boys ever since he made Second Class Scout five years back, and this past year has moved from Senior Patrol Leader to Junior Scoutmaster. If there was one boy in Arkham that I considered was the most mature and responsible - beggin' your pardon, Jonas, your honor --" Jonas giggled "it would be Mickey McKendrick."

"Thank you, Mike; that was very useful," Josiah said, smiling. "You figured out where I was going with this, didn't you?"

The bailiff nodded. "That I did, judge. You don't serve in court alongside you these twenty years without picking up a sense of what you're up to."

Jonas was grinning. He leaned over and prison-whispered, "Busted, Judge!" Josiah blushed.

"This court has received evidence of the maturity and responsibility of Mickey Harmon McKendrick, a minor of the age of sixteen years," Josiah cleared his throat and announced. "It therefore rules as follows: To continue Mr. McKendrick in the state of minor child for another two years to conform to the legal fiction of an age of maturity would be an injustice. This court therefore recognizes him as having achieved his legal majority, having no need for another adult person to have custody of him, in conformity with the Sumpter doctrine. Welcome to adulthood, son." He smiled broadly.

"Now," Jonas said, "Section 135.2 of the Federation's Safe Haven Act provides that 'Every conceivable effort shall be made that siblings are not separated and deprived of their shared familial comfort.' Subsection (a) specifies that: 'If an existing elder sibling wishes to obtain or retain custody of said minor family members, and said minor family members along with F.Y.S. agree that such placement is to the benefit of all parties, then such placement shall be made.' I therefore am obliged to ask you, Mickey, as your first decision as an adult, if you are prepared to accept custody of your brothers Jared Scott and Raphael Erskine."

"I'll probably never walk again, and I don't have any income to support them," Mickey said.

"I didn't ask about that," Jonas said. "Assume you have the income: are you prepared to be the custodial parent for your brothers, so as to not break up the family?"

"Well, yes, of course," Mickey said. "But I don't know how I’m going to support them."

"Let me handle this one step at a time," Jonas said. "We’ll get to that."

Maureen stood up. "Jonas, I'm very proud of you. But I cannot help but say that I'm finally getting revenge for all the times you ran ahead of me on something!" The whole courtroom laughed, including the man and boy sitting behind the judge's bench.

Josiah leaned over to Jonas. In the same prison whisper Jonas had used, he said, "Now who's busted?"

Jonas blushed and cleared his throat. "Jared, Raffy, are you prepared to accept Mickey as your custodial parent?"

"Absolutely," said Jared.

"Really?" said Raffy. "We can live with Mickey?"

"Really," said Jonas.

"Kewl," said Raffy.

"That is perhaps the first time that 'kewl' has been a formal response in this court, but I recognize it as responsive to the question asked," Josiah said. "In accordance with the custody laws of the State of Maine and the Safe Haven Act of the United Federation of Planets, I therefore rule that Mickey Harmon McKendrick shall assume custody of his minor brothers Jared Scott McKendrick and Raphael Erskine McKendrick, until they shall come of age. This is a permanent placement with no recourse."

"Now," said Jonas, "to deal with Mickey's concerns about money. First, there are state and federal programs providing income for disabled persons. Under the provisions of Article 9 of the Safe Haven Act, this Clan Tribunal has authority to supersede any local, state, or federal court or administrative agency within the scope of its applicability. I therefore make the determination that Mickey Harmon McKendrick is disabled within the scope and meaning of such laws and regulations, and further that he is entitled to coverage under the programs established under them. This court takes judicial notice of the delays and objections sometimes raised by bureaucrats in such agencies, and formally overrules such stumbling blocks in advance. In addition, the Safe Haven Act provides that 'if the elder sibling is unable due to financial status to provide appropriate accommodations, F.Y.S. shall provide such assistance as necessary to provide appropriate accommodations.' Ms. Kayla York of Federation Youth Services will be prepared to assist, both with emergency funds until you begin drawing disability stipends, and supplemental income as may be needed."

"Second," Josiah said, "your parents will have left a significant estate. Although you're entitled to retain any lawyer you prefer, I will make my services available to settle their estate and provide you three with the proceeds. I am already doing that for the Templeton boys, so it will be no problem to handle it for you as well."

"Does that resolve your concerns, Mickey?" Jonas asked.

"Oh, completely," Mickey answered, smiling from ear to ear.

"When we finally get everything resolved," Jonas said, "I want to take you, Jared, and Peter down to the FYS Hospital in Charleston, or up to the Lafayette, and see what Federation medical services can do for you."

"Robert Strong Martin, please come forward," Josiah said.

"ME?!" Bobby said. "I haven't done anything wrong. I'm just here to provide Mickey and Jared transport and because the telepath kid said I was gonna be needed in court, I thought it was to testify."

Jonas took the lead. "You're in no trouble, Bobby. Did you follow the logic behind the Sumpter decision earlier?"

"Sort of. The Supreme Court got rid of the corporation that was stealing his money, and said he could act as a grownup professionally, is that right?"

"Close enough. Now, how that applies to you: Is it correct that you go along on every EMT run that you're not in school for?"

"Yessir."

"And is it correct that you have completed all the training, both textbook and applied techniques, required for a First Response EMT certification in this state?"

"Yes."

Jonas continued. "It would be inappropriate to ask Mr. Martin whether he has in fact acted to save lives using his EMT training in ways that are not legally permissible for those on EMT runs who are not certified EMTs. Now, the most important question: Why have you not in fact been certified as an EMT?"

"You know the answer to that, Jonas: because you have to be at least sixteen years old to be certified in this state." Bobby was angry.

"Yes, I did know that, Bobby. I was putting it formally on the court record by asking you."

"Mr. Hamilton," Jonas continued. A pause. "Skipper!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Jonas. I was just remembering what Bobby did on the run to save Mickey and his brothers."

"So, for the record, would you say that Bobby is adequately trained to function as an EMT?"

"No question about it, Jonas."

"Now, for a couple of tougher questions: In your honest opinion as his mentor and partner, does he have the mature judgment to function as an EMT?"

"Nearly always, Jonas. And what he has that is as good, is the sense to ask for help instead of doing something on impulse, when lives are in the balance and he's not sure of what to do." Skipper looked proudly at Bobby. "Also, unlike many 14-year-olds, he thinks well on his feet in an emergency, which is absolutely needed from an EMT."

"Bobby," Jonas said earnestly, "do you feel you have the maturity to make adult decisions when necessary? Be honest here, with yourself and with us."

"I want to say yes, Jonas," Bobby answered. "But to be completely honest here in court, there are times I need to get advice from someone older - nearly always that's Skipper."

"Thank you, Bobby. I thought that was about how you'd see it - and sitting as a judge and only a year older, I want to compliment you for having the maturity to look at the question objectively, not just what you want personally. I know what that is," Jonas said earnestly, looking Bobby directly in the eyes, "and I'm trying to place on the record the grounds that will allow it."

"All right, listen very carefully to this, Bobby. It's an awkward statement, because I'm trying to allow for every contingency you and Skipper may encounter, in a manner that is appropriate for a ruling in open court. It is in the best interests of this rural county and of Robert Martin, petitioner, that age requirements placing onerous burdens on him without compensating benefit be lifted. This joint session of Family Court and Clan Tribunal hereby orders as follows: First, that Robert Martin be deemed of age to take and pass EMT certification tests, and to be duly certified on passing of such tests. Second, that he be duly authorized to operate the EMT emergency unit when there is sound reason for him to do so, and to be duly licensed by the BMV to operate a motor vehicle under those circumstances, despite being under age for a full license. Third, that in any circumstances involving physical contact with the human body, whether medical, rescue, or otherwise in nature, any action which he and James 'Skipper' Hamilton, his mentor and partner, shall in their good judgment determine is appropriate under the circumstances in which they are involved at the time, shall be deemed acceptable practice and legal under the laws of this state, despite Mr. Martin’s youth which might otherwise work to make such judgment on their part illegal. Will that cover all that we discussed, Judge Josiah?" Skipper's eyes were wide as he digested the implications of the third ruling. He motioned Bobby to lean over, and whispered in his ear. Bobby began to grin from ear to ear.

"I believe it covers everything quite adequately, and is well phrased, Jonas. There being no objection, it is so ordered." Josiah banged his gavel.

"Next item on the docket," said Jonas, "is Peter Michael Lambert. Jed, would you escort the young man forward, please?" Jed helped the frail, sickly nine-year-old approach the bench. "Last night, Jed spoke for Clan Short in accepting custody of this orphaned young man, with the intent of finding him a cure if possible, and if not to give him the best quality of life in the few days he will have left. If there are no objections, it is our intent as a Clan to make that assumption of custody permanent." He paused. "Hearing no objection, it is so ordered."

As Jonas assumed Clan custody of Peter, Harry had reentered the courtroom, accompanied by Philip, the twins, and a young man in his mid-20s wearing a three-piece suit. Josiah looked at them, surprised. "George? It’s quite strange to see you in *this* court," he said.

"Something truly *odd* happened, Josiah," said the man he'd addressed as George. "And I'm here, not in my official role, but as a petitioner for placement."

Josiah quirked an eyebrow at George. "For the benefit of those present who are not familiar with him, may I present George Wentworth, Jr., Attorney at Law, the Assistant State Attorney for this county. I normally see George in our official capacities only in cases of welfare fraud, or in arraignments where a minor is being tried as an adult and I have to transfer the case to Superior Court."

"May it please the Court," George began formally, "I believe it might simplify matters if I simply give the Court a narrative account of our last half hour. Should I be sworn in?"

"I'll receive testimony under oath when it's necessary to take an oath," Josiah said, "but I prefer to dispense with it and assume that people will be honest, or not, regardless of whether they've sworn to do so. I have no reason to doubt your word; just proceed."

"I noticed young Mr. Johnson here escorting these three boys past my office door to a conference room, and went to join them," George began. "You gave me quite an interesting task this morning, with all those fraudulent transactions. I thought the boys might be able to furnish some information about the Eccles’ involvement, so I went to question them."

Jonas looked angry. "Mr. Wentworth, those boys have been through quite enough abuse without being questioned as though they were involved in their so-called guardians' crimes."

George flashed red and opened his mouth for a hostile retort, then visibly calmed himself and drew a deep breath. "Sorry for my near outburst a moment ago; I'm not at all used to being reprimanded by a 15-year-old judge!" He attempted a smile.

"No problem, Mr. Wentworth. I'm not at all used to sitting as a judge; I think I'll leave the job to Judge Josiah after today, if I'm not required to step in again on something."

George continued, "As I *should* have said, I went to ask a few questions of these three boys as innocent probable witnesses to their parents' crimes."

"Not their parents," Harry corrected.

"Guardians, then, and you’re correct," George conceded. "Although I believe Philip was in fact adopted."

"That's accurate," Josiah said, "but it's a matter that will be corrected in a few minutes. Harry, have you figured out who might take temporary custody of the boys until we can get them in a permanent placement?"

"No, sir, your honor," Harry responded. "There was no need to."

"Indeed?" Josiah said. "You've surprised me yet again, Harry Johnson."

"He does that a lot, to me too," said Jonas with a smirklike grin.

"*If* I may continue," said George, "Mr. Johnson explained to the boys and to me that his task was to figure out what they might want for temporary custody. Then something peculiar happened. The twins each simultaneously took one of Philip’s hands - they were sitting next to him, one on each side - and all three boys exchanged very quick, intense gazes of each other. Then the twins made eye contact with me, first Randy and then Andrew...."

"Just Drew," said Andrew. "We don't want to be 'Randy and Andy,' so I'm Drew."

George continued, "And when they were through with this, I knew, inside me, that I needed to adopt the three of them - a deep certainty that it was the right thing to do, and that we'd come to love each other as father and sons if I stepped up and did it."

"That seems, ah, abrupt," Josiah said. "I know I don’t have to lecture *you* about this, but it is something with long-term consequences for minor children, and not something to be done on impulse without careful consideration."

"I did think about it, for what seemed like an hour and was probably about 40 seconds," George said. "The more I tried to tell myself to wait, the more intense was the pressure to take a stand for them and volunteer to adopt them."

Harry spoke up. "The twins confirmed it to me. This is something all four of them: Mr. Wentworth, Philip, and the twins, are certain of. Oh, and we need to contact Clan HQ; the twins are going to need Vulcan training to control their telepathy."

"There's one other aspect to my petition, Judge," George continued. "In my initial review of the ledgers that Mrs. Dupré brought over earlier, it appears that Jordan and Mary Eccles made the down payment on their house with Philip's inheritance money when they adopted him, and then regularly made the mortgage payments with social services money that should have gone to the twins' care or a trust account for them. I'm therefore asking this court to issue an order transferring title to the Eccles home from Jordan and Mary Eccles to a trust in favor of the three boys."

"The title change, I can do," Josiah said. "I'm very uncomfortable with granting an immediate petition for adoption without review by a social worker. Jonas, your Clan can use telepathy to produce that assurance more rapidly than our system can; do you have a way to obtain that confidence level now, or should we adjourn this?"

Harry stepped in again. "I think we can rely on the twins' ability to read Philip and George. They proved it to me by telling me about your birthmark, Jonas, and what happens when it's touched." Harry and Jonas both blushed; in the spectators’ seats, Maureen tried unsuccessfully to suppress a burst of laughter.

"I rule further discussion of my birthmark out of order," Jonas said hastily, "and accept Harry's statement as *quite* adequate evidence of the twins' telepathic abilities. Harry, Jed, please approach the bench."

"Permission to join the bench conference?" George asked.

"Granted, and bring the three boys," Jonas said.

"You three boys are certain you want to go for adoption right now?" Jonas asked a moment later. "We *can* make it a temporary placement and do the permanent decisions later, instead." Nods and 'yes' answers came from all three.

"Josiah, you'd have to go through state procedural requirements to rule on it, am I correct?" he continued. The judge gestured he was correct.

"Jed, Harry, the three of us are the Clan members present. I'm prepared to make it a Safe Haven Article 135 adoption in reliance on the twins' testimony, but I want to make sure I have consensus from you two. We act as brothers if we act at all."

"I remember how I felt the day you found me," Jed said. "I was terrified. I needed safety and certainty, when it felt like my world had been torn out from under me." His eyes flashed. "Mr. Wentworth, are you going to give these boys that sense of security and home?"

George met the 12-year-old's firm gaze with equanimity. "To the best of my ability, yes. I’ll give them comfort and safety so far as I can."

"You know my vote," Harry said. "I'd have never picked Mr. Wentworth for a good father, but it wasn't my choice, it was theirs, and they chose him."

Josiah spoke up. "George, in other circumstances it would be out of line for me to say this, but it's my job to make sure that these placements work - even when I have a bunch of teenagers making the rulings instead of doing it myself." He smiled at Jonas. "So I'm going to place a condition on this: You're an extremely reserved, intellectual man, one committed to doing the right thing but not used to showing emotions. You need to be able to share feelings with your new sons. So you have a choice of going for counseling here in Maine, or going to Orlando with your sons - I assume you are sending them down, Jonas? - and letting the Clan teach you when and how to loosen up."

"Understood, your honor," George said.

Jed got a devilish grin, and caught Randy's eye. After a second, the twins slipped one to each side of the D.A. and began tickling him. "Hey, cut that out!" he said to them, laughing. "We're in court!"

"And the serious business of court is not harmed by including a little fun," Jed said. "That’s what you need to learn."

Josiah was chuckling. "So ruled!" he said with a grin, and rapped his gavel.

"Good enough," Jonas said. "I think we can progress directly to adoption. Boys, do you want to take on your new father’s name?"

"Can we?" Randy asked. "We'd both like that!" Drew grinned and nodded his agreement.

"I was going to ask if I could get rid of this last name. Please change it to his!" Philip's tone was one of enthusiastic relief.

"Very well, then, I'm going to ask you formally what we already know, since the State of Maine's court transcripts are not telepathic - or at least usually not!" Jonas grinned.

"It would make my job a lot easier if they were," George chuckled.

"When we get Drew and Randy trained," Harry said, "you can ask them to consult and testify on the really tough cases. I don't think I have to warn you, though, that asking seven-year-old boys to walk through the minds of a lot of your clientele when there isn't a real need would be seen as mental abuse."

"I hadn't thought of that," George said. "But they *are* legal expert witnesses, aren't they?"

"We wanna help you convict the bad guys, Dad!" the twins chorused.

"Now there's a family bonding together!" Josiah said. "Why don't you step back from the bench and we'll wrap this up." Harry and Jed returned to their seats; George motioned the boys to join him at the bar of the court, the railing separating the seating from the front. "Jonas, you'll need to act here, as I'd be forced to make them wait six months."

Jonas looked George squarely in the eye. "George Wentworth, are you prepared to accept the duty and privilege of being a father to these three boys, to nurture, mentor, guide, and discipline them, and enable and permit them to grow into compassionate and just free men?"

"I stand ready to do so, your honor," George responded.

"Boys, I will address you one last time with your old names to make public record of your wishes. Philip Wayne Eccles, do you accept adoption by George Wentworth, Jr.?"

"Yessir!" Philip was smiling.

"Randall Garrett LaVigne, do you accept George Wentworth, Jr., as your adoptive father?"

"I do."

"Andrew Marvell LaVigne, do you accept George Wentworth, Jr., as your adoptive father?"

"Yes, Jonas, your honor!"

Jonas said formally, “George, I now present to you your son Philip Wayne Wentworth, your son Randall Garrett Wentworth, and your son Andrew Marvell Wentworth."

"It is the custom of this court," Josiah said, "for those present to welcome and honor families newly created by adoption before this bench with a round of applause. Will all you who are present join me in welcoming and honoring the new Wentworth brothers?" And he began a round of applause, in which all present joined except a dour couple in the back row.

"If there is no other business to come before this court," Josiah said, "it stands adjourned." He paused briefly in token acknowledgement of that nonexistent 'other business,' then rapped his gavel.