Fractalized

Chapter 7
 

“Curtis,” Dr. Raph called from the car. “Over here.”

Curtis ran across the school parking lot and climbed into the car with Raph and Hector.

“Are you ready for this?” Hector asked. He seemed a little breathless.

“I think so,” Curtis replied. “Did you hear if Judge Schultz got back?”

Raph shook his head. “She wasn’t back when I talked to Melanie a little while ago. There’s fog in New York and her plane has been delayed.”

“That … that’s not good, is it?” Curtis asked, the first inkling of fear rising from the pit of his stomach.

“Melanie is still hopeful that Judge Schultz will get here,” Hector explained. “We better get going, Raph. We can’t be late whoever the judge is.”

They drove in silence to the courthouse. They found Melanie waiting for them out front. She led them inside and up to a waiting area. Hunter and Karen were already there. Carefully Melanie went over exactly what was going to happen, even though she had explained it all to them before.

As the clock approached two, the time of their scheduled hearing, the tension rose.

“Shouldn’t we know by now if Judge Schultz is going to make it?” Raph asked.

Melanie shook her head. “If she was here, she would have called,” Melanie sighed. “It looks like we’re going to get a substitute judge.”

“Ms. Marcus,” a man said sticking his head out of a nearby door. “Judge Sanders is ready to begin.”

Melanie groaned and then nodded to the man. “Let’s go,” she said as they all stood. Her face did not look happy.

Raph grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. “What is it?”

“I … Let’s just say that Judge Phillip Sanders would not be my first choice to hear this case.”

“Shit!” Raph reacted, and then they entered the hearing room.

They all took their seats and the court recorder read the petition for adoption. They all watched the judge’s face which puckered slightly when it became obvious that it was two men who were petitioning to adopt the boy.

“I’ll hear from you now, Ms. Marcus,” Judge Sanders said, his voice level and cold.

His face looked cold too, Curtis thought. It didn’t have any compassion. He realized it reminded him of someone else’s face, and then suddenly he knew. It reminded him of the faces of the Hardigans. They were always so proper and calm and collected, but that was because there was no feeling inside them. No emotion ever registered on their faces, unless it was when they were angry and about to strike. Curtis shivered. He felt Raph reach over and take his hand to give it a little squeeze.

Melanie finished explaining Curtis’ situation and the changes he had made in his life since going to live with Raph and Hector. She made it sound really good.

“I’ll hear from the social worker next,” the judge said.

Karen had been designated the one to speak. She went up to sit in the chair next to the judge’s desk. She told the man how Curtis had come to the Jason Kemp Center, mentioning Hunter’s part in turning the boy’s life around. She talked about how Curtis had run away from the abusive foster home run by the Hardigans. She managed to work in the fact that they were currently under prosecution for several charges. The judge listened to it all, but didn’t seem very impressed.

Karen talked about the cat that Curtis had tried to help by taking it to the vet clinic. She made it clear that Curtis had robbed people to pay for the cat’s medical bills and to keep himself alive.

“So, the animal was more important to this boy than human life, and obviously much more important that other people’s belongings,” the judge observed.

Karen tried to correct that impression. She explained how Curtis had paid back all the people he had robbed, but the judge did not seem to be listening. Curtis had the feeling he had already made up his mind, and it wouldn’t be in Curtis’ favor.

“I’ll hear from Dr. Raphael Angles next,” the judge said.

Raph stood and took his place next to the judge. He had been chosen to speak for himself and Hector.

“Why do you wish to adopt this young lad?” the judge asked him cutting right to the chase.

“My partner and I have come to love Curtis. We wish him to be our son,” Raph said smiling out at Curtis.

Curtis felt his heart swell. Dr. Raph was telling the whole world that he wanted Curtis as his son. Curtis felt so proud. The judge had to let him be Dr. Raph and Hector’s son. He just had to.

“You and your partner are homosexual?” the judge asked. There was nothing in the judge’s voice to show the disapproval that Raph felt radiating off the man.

“Yes,” Raph replied firmly. “We are, but we have a happy, stable home, and we would like to have Curtis join us permanently.”

“I have to say, Dr. Angles, that the idea of two homosexual men adopting a boy of Curtis’ age makes one wonder.”

“Makes one wonder or makes you wonder?” Raph asked pointedly.

“Caution, Dr. Angles, or I will hold you in contempt,” the judge said imperiously.

Raph shook his head, but didn’t say anything else.

“Judge Sanders,” Melanie piped in. “Dr. Angles and his partner have had Curtis living with them for months now. They are all happy about that, and the arrangement seems to be working well for all of them. The home visits reflect that. I don’t see any reason for your objection.”

Judge Sanders raised an eyebrow and looked like he wanted to tell the lawyer off. Instead he took a deep breath and stated, “I will be the judge of what is happening and also what will happen.”

Melanie realized she had effectively been silenced and put in her place in one fell swoop. She sat down before she said something that would really screw their case.

“I think I’ve heard enough, Dr. Angles,” Judge Sanders said. “You may leave the stand.”

“But…” Raph started.

“Stand down, Doctor.”

Raph bowed his head and then looked pleadingly at Melanie. She shrugged, saying there was nothing she could do. Raph returned to his seat beside Curtis.

“Curtis Samuels, I’ll hear from you now.”

Curtis stood and felt his knees grow weak. This could be his worst nightmare. It looked like the judge didn’t want him to be with Raph and Hector. He was going to be put back in foster care, back with the Hardigans. He shuddered and wavered where he stood. Then he felt Raph’s arm around his shoulder and then he heard Raph’s voice whispering in his ear, “Do your best, son. We’ll deal with whatever happens later. We’re not going to let anything happen to you, Curtis.”

Curtis smiled at Raph and stood up straighter. He walked to the chair beside the judge’s desk. After he was sworn in, he sat down in the chair and turned to the judge.

“Curtis,” the judge began. “Do you like living with Dr. Angles and his partner?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Is the home comfortable? Do you have your own room?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do the doctor and his partner ever touch you inappropriately?”

“Objection!” Melanie practically yelled.

“This isn’t a court in the usual sense, Ms. Marcus. I want an answer to that question,” the judge said looking at Curtis.

“I … I don’t know what you mean,” Curtis stammered.

“I mean do they touch you in your private parts or in ways that other people never touch you?”

Curtis looked at the judge. He felt anger rise in his throat. He wanted to scream at this horrible man. He wished he had his rusty knife and could cut the man’s throat. He looked pleadingly at Melanie who smiled sympathetically, but shrugged saying that she could do nothing. Then Curtis looked at Raph and Hector. Their faces were as shocked and hurt as he was sure his was. He knew he had to say something, something that would make a difference.

“Your honor,” Curtis began clearing his throat. “I understand what you’re asking me now.”

“Then please answer the question,” the judge said coldly.

“Dr. Raph and Hector do touch me in ways that the Hardigans never did, and in ways that no one’s touched me for years.”

There were audible gasps in the hearing room. Everyone looked at Raph and Hector and then back at Curtis. Raph shook his head and looked at Curtis with hurt in his eyes.

“Just as I suspected,” the judge said with a smug look on his face.

“Your honor, may I explain?” Curtis asked.

“I don’t think that will be necessary, young man. I don’t want to have to put you through describing what these men have done to you,” the judge said in what he thought was his best comforting voice, which wasn’t comforting at all.

“Oh, but I want to explain,” Curtis said quickly. “I think you misunderstood.”

“Very well,” the judge said with a frown. “Explain.”

“Before I came to Dr. Raph’s nobody touched me.” Curtis let those words sink in before he continued. “The Hardigans would never touch any of us kids, at least not in a kind or caring way. Sometimes they did touch us though, and it hurt. But they were very careful never to leave a bruise, you see. They had no interest in how we were doing or what we were feeling. They didn’t care about us at all. I got so I didn’t care what anybody else thought or felt either. I think that’s why I started robbing people at knifepoint. I didn’t understand that they would be scared or upset. I guess I just didn’t care at all.” Curtis paused again. “And then I went to work at the vet clinic so I could earn money to pay off what I had stolen. And I did pay it off, every bit of it,” he said, defiantly looking right at the judge.

“Okay, I understand your point. Are you finished?”

“No, I’m not.” Curtis sat up straight in his chair. “It took a long time for me to trust Raph and Hector, but I do … now. They care about me. They would be sad, if I froze to death on the street, which I almost did once. Nobody would have cared back then. The Hardigans didn’t even report that I was gone. That way they could keep getting the money that was sent to support me.

“I trust Raph and Hector to look out for me and take care of me. I trust them to hug me when I need it. That’s how they touch me, Your Honor. They are so kind and understanding. I trust them to have faith in me when I make mistakes or screw up. I trust them with my life. And if you don’t let them adopt me then I have no life. I might as well be dead.”

“Young man, Curtis,” the judge said visibly shaken by Curtis’ words.

“You see, Judge,” Curtis continued ignoring the judge’s interruption. “Raph and Hector are the first people to hug me and touch me and love me, like my grandpa did. They do touch me, but not in the way you were implying. We love each other and we belong together, whether you choose to let us or not.”

There was a long silence in the courtroom when Curtis finished his speech.

“You may step down,” the judge finally said after a long pause.

As Curtis walked back to his seat, Melanie noticed Judge Schultz slide into the back of the court. She wondered how much the judge had heard, and she couldn’t help but wish that it was her making the decision on Curtis’ future and not Judge Sanders.

“I’ve made my decision,” Judge Sanders said all of a sudden, snapping everybody out of their thoughts. Raph and Hector each had hold of one of Curtis’ hands. “Please stand,” Judge Sanders said.

“Having weighed all the facts carefully,” the judge began. Melanie felt her heart sink. “But also having heard Curtis’ impassioned plea.” The judge looked into Curtis’ eyes. “And I have to say that I have rarely heard a young person defend himself so eloquently before. Perhaps you should consider a vocation in the law, young man.” The judge actually winked at Curtis at that point. “I find that the petition of adoption should be granted. You are officially adopted, Curtis Samuels. I hope you have a very happy life. Court is adjourned.”

Everyone was on their feet hugging and smiling. Even Judge Schultz joined them, clearly pleased with the outcome.

“When did you get here?” Melanie asked her.

“Just as Curtis took the stand. I heard everything he said from outside, and then I just had to come in. If my esteemed colleague had not granted the petition, I would have personally throttled him myself.”

“Thank goodness, that won’t be necessary,” Melanie laughed. “I’d have taken you on as a client though … pro bono.”

Judge Schultz smiled and chuckled. “Congratulations to you all,” she said to the newly formed official family.

“Let’s go to dinner and celebrate,” Hector said enthusiastically. “Can you join us, Judge?”

“I’m afraid I have some catching up to do, but thanks for thinking of me. Enjoy your dinner. Congratulations to the new family.” She smiled warmly at them.

“Dinner’s on me,” Raph said happily. “Let’s go, and later we’ll take our official son home to our happy homo house.”

Everyone laughed.

“Shit! We have some papers to sign,” Melanie laughed. “I almost forgot.”

“Let’s make this official. I don’t want to go through anything like this again,” Raph said.

“You won’t have to after today, Dad,” Curtis said with a big smile.

They all knew that smile made all the worry worthwhile.

 

*****
 

“Justin, do you think Mr. Bloom will let you show the film at the opening of your new show?” Troi` asked.

“I’m not sure. He has everything so organized that I can’t even go to the men’s room unless it’s on the agenda,” Justin said with an exaggerated put upon sigh. “The main opening is Friday the 22nd. He’s starting off with Winter. Then every other night he’ll feature another season. He’s got the paintings on these slowly revolving easels. It made me dizzy just watching them all go round.” Justin rolled his eyes several times to prove his point, making the twins giggle.

“I was hoping to show the film on the last night as an added feature but Sidney isn’t going for it.”

“So the last night is Friday the 29th?” Tre` asked.

“No, Saturday. This is the agenda. It starts off with Winter on Friday and of course, the launching of the whole concept of the show. The critics and the gallery’s most important supporters and patrons are all invited. Winter will revolve on Friday and Saturday. The other paintings are all covered up so you can only see the season Sidney wants you to see. On Sunday, Spring is revealed and they start spinning until Tuesday, then comes Summer, with Fall starting on Thursday. He’s planning a bigger bash on Saturday the 30th with all four seasons on display. That’s when I hoped I could show our film.

“And guys, I have to be there for the whole week. If I don’t show, Sidney will have my ass in a sling and not in a positive life affirming way,” Justin said and the twins howled with laughter.

“The video will be ready by the 30th,” Tre` assured their mentor. “Troi` and I are doing the final editing now. We were planning on using this for our mid-term project.”

“Mid-term project?! Wow, if this is your mid-term, what are you planning for your final?” Justin was truly impressed by the brothers. “I wish I could convince Sidney to give our film a chance. I know the critics will love it.”

Justin and his art partners were sitting in the computer lab wearing the longest, saddest faces known to man. And that’s where Brian found them.

Earlier that morning Brian had driven Justin and Gus into Pittsburgh. Gus had practised driving all day Sunday, as well as finishing his homework assignments. Since Gus’ little emotional breakdown Saturday evening, Brian decided to have Gus stay the whole weekend. And after a quick call to the moms with an explanation, they were in agreement.

With the assistance of campus security, Brian found, then entered the computer lab.

“Hey, Sunshine, boys, why the long faces?” Brian scanned the faces of the three beautiful young men. “No one this hot should be looking like you’ve just lost your best friend. What’s up?” Brian pulled up a chair and sat.

“Sidney’s being an ass,” Justin griped.

“Seems to be a popular theme lately. What did the poor man do now?”

“He won’t let us show our film,” Justin pouted.

Brian hid his laughter behind a cough. “Won’t let you show your film,” Brian restated. Twin raven heads and one blond one nodded together. “This is a grievous offense. May I see your film?” Three pretty heads perked up. Tre` started the dvd and they flanked Brian as he watched.

The opening scene was a panoramic view of Brian’s precious gardens. Unbeknownst to Brian, throughout the year, Gus and Justin had been taking videos and photographs of the garden in each phase of bloom. The only sounds were the chirping of birds, the buzzing of bees and the gurgling of water rushing down the stream. And much to Brian’s chagrin, an occasional frog was heard happily croaking in the background.

As the camera zoomed in on a butterfly, the music of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumblebee” and Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata," accompanied the flight. They all watched as the butterfly landed on a sunflower. Brian gasped as the sunflower slowly transformed into an obvious Justin Taylor painting of a sunflower, then the painting morphed into a fractal image of the same flower. Then slowly the image transformed back into its original form. The film was less than thirty minutes long but the images were beautiful, calming and strangely compelling. As the butterfly followed its seemingly random flight path, so did the camera. With each new landing, a new painting was created as well as its fractal representation. Along with the original art and computer art, the trio had composed computerized music which was interspersed in between the classical music.

Brian’s eyes were transfixed to the screen. “Justin, has Sidney seen this?”

“No, he won’t even consider it, not now anyway.”

“What about Lindz?”

“I tried. She wants to help but Sidney’s adamant. Bri, what are we going to do? We’ve worked so hard on this project. The guys here will get credit for it. It’s their mid-term project, but this is also an important piece of work. It deserves to be seen in public.”

“You’re right, it does,” Brian confirmed then he closed his eyes to think.

The twins were about to speak when Justin held up his hand to silence them. He recognized the signs of the master at work.

“Sunshine, is our fairy godmother doing the catering for this event?”

“Yes, he is. Sidney won’t have any other event planner do any of his events.”

“Then leave it to me. Now are you boys hungry?” Brian asked with a gleam in his eyes. Three lovely heads bobbed up and down. “If this was only an alternate universe,” Brian murmured to himself as he appreciated the three beautiful men. Brian sighed. “Then allow me to take you boys to dinner.” Brian was treated to three very sunny smiles.

As the artful threesome packed up for the night, Brian made a call to their fairy godmother.
 

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