Here Comes Trouble (Nothing Special #3)(54)
They all sat in the family room of the hospital, waiting on the funeral director to come and pick up Curtis’ mom. Curtis sat in one of the chairs with his head buried in Green’s shoulder. Green had both his arms around him tightly, while he talked with Day. His lieutenants had met them there shortly after Green had brought Curtis back upstairs from viewing the body. It was only an hour until Ro, Syn, Furi, and Vicki had showed up. Everyone loved Curtis, they’d make sure he got through this. Although his mom had been fighting her kidney disease for many years, and Curtis had said his goodbyes, a child was never really prepared for their parent to die.
Vicki knelt down in front of Curtis and tried to offer him some juice and graham crackers, but he only nestled further into Green, sobbing quietly.
“It’s gonna be okay, buddy. We’re all right here for you,” Green whispered to him. Curtis didn’t move, he didn’t speak, and it was tearing Green apart. How could his wonderful night have ended like this? He silently chastised himself for being selfish. This wasn’t about him, this was about Curtis.
A stocky woman came into the room, accompanied by two of the nurses that Curtis had become very familiar with over the months his mom had been a patient on the nephrology wing. They looked uncomfortable.
Green eyed them carefully.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but Curtis, Ms. Masters from the Department of Social Services is here to speak to you,” the timid nurse said quietly.
Ruxs stood up, crossing his arms over his large chest. God and Day did the same. They stood in front of Curtis like bodyguards.
“What about?” Ruxs demanded, his voice taking on a hard edge.
The nurses looked around nervously but Ms. Masters didn’t flinch. “Curtis,” she called a little louder, peering around all of them, seeking out Curtis’ face. Green still held him as Curtis raised his head, slowly wiping eyes.
“Yes. I’m Curtis.”
“Curtis, I’m Ms. Masters. But you’re welcome to call me Rose. I’m from the Atlanta Department of Human Services, Children and Families Division. I want to extend my deepest condolences to you. I’m so sorry for —”
“We accept. Now if you’ll excuse us, Curtis would like to go home. He has a lot to process right now. Here’s my card, if you have any questions you can call me.” Ruxs cut off anything else Ms. Masters was going to say and handed her his card. She quickly took it, and stuffed it in her brief case while keeping her attention on Curtis.
“Where is home, Curtis?” she asked, still not threatened by Ruxs’ bravado.
“Home with us,” Ruxs answered for Curtis again. “We’re his family.”
Ms. Masters huffed and finally looked in Ruxs’ direction. “Are you biological family, sir? Are any of you biological family?” She looked around, making eye contact with every one of them; none of them able to give the answer that would help Curtis.
Green had a sinking feeling he knew what was going on. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer. How could this night go from best ever, to worse, and finally to fucking disastrous?
“Curtis how old are you?” she asked in a tone Green assumed was her “polite but don’t you dare tell me a lie” voice.
“Why are you asking questions you already know the answer to?” God snapped. “Get on with it.”
“Curtis you’re seventeen years old and according to the state of Georgia, you are still a minor. Your only living guardian has passed away. I’m going to have to take you with me.” Right then two very large men dressed in suits came in wearing human services badges just like Ms. Masters.
Curtis’ head snapped back to Green’s sorrowful gaze. He shook his head back and forth rapidly. “What? No. No. I have my own house. I pay the bills, I have for years. I’ll be eighteen in four months,” Curtis said hurriedly, cowering into Green’s body.
“Lady, you try to take this kid away and I’m going to rip your fuckin’ arms off and beat the shit out of you with them,” Ruxs barked. Syn, Furi and Ro were at Ruxs side in minutes, ready to hold him back. Because even though Ms. Masters was a woman and Ruxs was a cop, they all believed at that moment Ruxs just might be capable of throwing all the rules out the window to protect Curtis.
“Shh. It’s okay Curtis. I’ll handle this.” Green stood with Curtis plastered to his body. He still stood behind God and Day as he spoke to her. “Ma’am, I’m Detective Christopher Green with the Atlanta Police Department, the men in front of me are my direct supervisors, and also Curtis’ employers; currently overseeing his internship. We’ve been a make-shift family for Curtis for three years. He really needs our support to help him get through this very trying time. I’m sure you understand.” Green paused hoping she’d agree but her face was stoic and her enforcers were poised to act. “Curtis can stay with me at my home, like he does most nights. You are more than welcome to come by and check things out. I’ll be sure he continues with school and work.”
“I’m sorry Detective Green, but it doesn’t work like that. If you want to assume temporary placement of the minor, you’ll have to fill out the paperwork, go through the state-required protocol and complete the required assessment.”
“How long will that take?” Green’s eyes pleaded.