The Ten of Them – Chapter 9: Adding Sam to the family

Adult story: The Ten of Them – Chapter 9: Adding Sam to the family

by Hard93

In our last chapter we have come to the rescue of a small child by the name of Samantha Sheridan. Samantha insists on us calling her Sam. Sam was the only child of a military couple who died in action. She was living with her grandmother up until her death recently. Sam’s Aunt Nicole became her Guardian. Sam called Nicole her old mommy. Lester her boyfriend had punished Sam so severely to leave welts on the poor child. Nicole just died of a massive drug overdose, under suspicious circumstances.

Armed with this information, Judge Thurgood looks at me and says, “Marshall says you’re ready to be a father, now you don’t have to wait nine months. Will you be willing to take care of Samantha?”

With a large smile I say, “Yes, I think Sam has a new family.”

Michelle laughs, “No wonder all your stories sound like fairytales. The good and wise Prince with his beautiful Princess comes to the rescue of the poor mistreated orphan whose parents died in defense of his country. Fairytales, my readers are going to love it.”

Thinking back to my own childhood I almost wish Michelle wouldn’t print anything concerning Samantha. I think it’s like she can read it on my face because Michelle says, “My boss probably wouldn’t believe it anyway he’s a bit of a skeptic. I have had enough of the news game anyway. JJ, I was talking to Marshall he said you believed he could actually make enough to retire by the end of summer.”

I say, “If yesterday is any indication of what we can do. He should be able to retire quite comfortably by this fall.” Judge Thurgood’s eyes go wide, is mouth drops open. This is a bit of a shock to him.

The Judge stammers a question to me, “JJ just how much you helped Marshall make so far?”

Marshall coming in with Michael senior and my brother-in-laws says, “Dad, before taxes it’s a little over 2.1 million.”

Judge Thurgood begins to laugh he says, “Forget college son, and learn everything you can from JJ.”

As Judge Thurgood and his son talk, I speak with my father-in-law, “Dad, we found out Sam is an orphan now. Her aunt just died and grandmother who was her guardian is deceased. We need to get some clothing for her, probably something loose and lite for the next few days. If no other relative steps forward, we don’t believe there’s any at this moment it looks like Sam’s going to be a permanent part of our family. How does it feel to be a grandpa?”

The Coach has the same ecstatically joyful expression from this morning. He says, “I thought I was going to have to wait nine months to hear that. Now I get to hear it a lot sooner, and still look forward to Kathryn giving me a grandchild.”

The Coach and I talk for another few minutes. He tells me many stories about what it’s like to be a father. He warns me about being a father of a four-year-old, you may think they are a baby but they’re their own person in a lot of ways at that age. Their personality is usually set by then. You’ll have to learn what Sam likes and dislikes. Instead of making her do things, ask her to help you. That work better with my kids until they got older.

I smile sadly and tell him the full story as I know it, “What I understand Sam’s mother and father were both military and died in action. I believe Sam’s grandmother was her Guardian. Nicole took Sam when Sam’s grandmother died. Nicole with her criminal record, I doubt would’ve been granted guardianship. Poor Sam lost everyone in her life so far, the only one left who had any contact with her is the bastard that left those welts on her. As far as I’m concerned he’s a bear that’s threatening my family.”

The coach says, “I hope he doesn’t show up on your doorstep, it wouldn’t be good for him or you.”

The Judge overhears my last statement as he and Marshall comes to join our conversation. Judge Thurgood says, “I’ll have a restraining order against him, not to come within a half mile of your home and 200 feet of you ever. That’s to protect you if he ever does show up on your doorstep. I know you’re fully capable of handling the threat at the appropriate level JJ. But I highly doubt he’s going to be leaving jail in the near future if ever.”

Marshall says, “I’m glad of that.”

The Coach looks at me and says, “Me too, if he ever showed up there I’ll bring my shotgun. I may not be able to handle it on the appropriate level.”

Judge Thurgood laughs, “Michael, why would you want to shoot a dead man.”

The Coach expression now shows he understands what the appropriate level is. The Coach says, “George you and I go back to when we were kids playing baseball together, I should have known that.”

The Judge says, “Don’t worry about it Michael, if he is released for any reason you and I can teach JJ how to shoot. It’s been a while since I’m instructed anyone on shooting, so I probably can use the help. JJ has that nice big side yard over the river there, that’s perfect place for skeet shooting.”

I say, “Well now that I’m 18, maybe it’s about time I learned to do that.”

Marshall asks, “Dad, can I come by and pick up my shotgun and a couple boxes of shells, tonight after the fireworks.”

Judge Thurgood smiles, “Only if you bring Misty by, we can talk while you get your firearms.”

Misty intertwines her arm into Marshall’s and gives him a kiss on the cheek. Misty says, “I’ll be happy to come by and visit. I know Marshall wishes to talk with you more often. Maybe you could come by and have dinner with us this Saturday.”

The Judge smiles and says, “It actually sounds good, I’m sick of my own cooking and I don’t have anything to do Saturday.”

Misty’s expression gives away the fact she wasn’t really expecting him to say yes. But she says, “That’s great, we’re looking forward to it.”

Misty had been in last with Kathryn and Sam. I asked, “Misty what’s going on with Sam now?”

Misty says, “The doctor should be finishing up shortly. He was telling Kathryn how to apply the medicine when I left.”

I looked at Judge Thurgood and ask him, “Do we need to talk to Ms. Clark, inform her of the information we know?”

The Judge says, “What we found out didn’t come through official channels. We could tell her, but she can’t make a decision unless the information can be verified.”

Misty asked, “What did I miss?”

I quietly tell her, “Samantha’s parents are deceased, apparently she lived with her grandmother who recently passed then the young lady that was arrested earlier today has died this afternoon. Samantha is an orphan with no legal guardian at this time. We don’t believe she has any other living relative. I want to speak with Kathryn as far as I’m concerned Sam can stay with us.”

Misty says, “I’m sorry for her passing, but any woman who stands by, and let’s a child be hit like that…” She stopped herself from saying anything else about the woman but continues. “Kathryn and Sam are going to be so happy that she is staying with you, I know the three of you are going to make a perfect little family, but a growing one.”

Smiling at Misty and Marshall as they stand side-by-side I say, “As far as I’m concerned, that little girl went from having no one, to seven Aunts,” Michelle still standing there clears her throat, “excuse me eight Aunts and five Uncles, one grandfather and three grandmothers and don’t forget one great uncle.”

Judge Thurgood showing he has a sense of humor says, “I don’t know if you can call me great but I am pretty damn good.”

Michelle says, “I see why JJ likes this area, the people here are something else. I understand you are the person to talk to if I wanted to know anything else he has been up too.”

Judge Thurgood now addressing Michelle says, “I found a few things out, if you still need anything I’ll be happy to pass on a few more stories, and a few he probably would never admit to doing, he’s honest but he’s pretty modest about all the good things he does.”

I say, “Oh no, now I’m not running for public office, or sainthood. So keep the fairytales to a minimum please. It’s not like I am the only person doing any good around here.”

Judge Thurgood chuckles before he says to me, “You may not be the only person doing good for the community, but a lot of the ones that are, do more because of you. Your example has a lot larger effect than you realize. Even what you said in Michelle’s first article has affected people more than you probably realize. I’m a workaholic, after reading that article I realized I was missing out on my son growing up, so I started spending more time with him.”

Marshall smiles and says, “JJ a lot of us here in town always knew you had a lot of money. I also know Kathryn isn’t the only one you would pickpocket, and leave a twenty or fifty in their pocket. A couple of kids would never have a decent meal if it wasn’t for you doing that. A few of us saw how you’d always pick up some extra groceries and leave them at people’s houses, a few extra stops on your way home almost every time you would come to pick up groceries. I’ve never seen you talk down to anyone.

I’ve never seen you insult a single person. I’ve even seen you stop a few; you would not use your fist, but a smile work for you. I’ve even seen you work with some of the clumsiest people after a while they found their balance and you actually give them some grace to their movements. You never make fun of people shortcomings but you’ve always help them rise above them. Even the way you treat Kathryn has changed how a lot of boys treat their girlfriend.”

Misty giggles, “I know you got us together, thank you for that too. Half the girls in school would throw themselves at you, you were always nice to them and let them down easy, but they always knew that you were Kathryn’s boyfriend. A lot of guys would give into the temptation that all those girls were waving in your face. You always acted like everyone was important to you. Even the girls you turned down still felt good about themselves the way you treated them, never made them feel less because they always felt if Kathryn ever messed up they would always have a chance with you.”