On The Outside: By Amy

Ch.14
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"Excuse me, but could you tell me who you are and how you are related to this case?" the judge investigated, studying the individual as he opened the door.

"I'm Antonio Angelo," the stout Italian answered as he fully entered the office space. "People call me 'Tony' for short. I'm the owner of the diner where Kevin and Brian work."

"I see," the judge retorted.

"And you think you can help?" Ms. Lorn assumed, a mocking tone carressing her voice.

"Yes, I think I can," the man informed the employee.

"How do you think you could help?" Judge Topper asked aloud, ignoring the social worker's comments.

"I could take AJ and Nick into my home," the owner offered.

"Another volunteer," Ms. Lorn scoffed, rolling her gray eyes. "Aren't any of you aware of the opportunities that rest outside this horrid place?"

"Mr. Angelo, there are other foster care applicants who have already applied and have been accepted. You haven't even filled out the necessary paper work yet," Judge Topper stated, looking up at the kind stranger.

"Papers like this?" Tony questioned, handing over the documents.

"Why did you decide to pursue this, Mr. Angelo?" the law official inquired, looking through the files.

"I came to the courthouse right after I met Nick to find how I could help a kid in need, I just didn't give any details. I'm not the smartest guy around but I think I make enough to support them. I was accepted, wasn't I? That's the way I understood it."

Judge Topper nodded. "Yes, Sir, you have been accepted to be a foster parent. You've thoroughly thought this out?"

Angelo shrugged. "What's to think out? These kids need a home and I can give them one. At least if they're with me they could still be near their friends, I know how important they all are to each other. That is," he sighed, looking over his shoulder at the young teenagers, "if they want me. I know this isn't exactly what you two wished for."

"I could still work at the diner?" Nick asked, innocently.

Tony chuckled, smiling brightly. "No, Nick, you wouldn't have to work at the diner anymore."

"Could I if I wanted to?" Nick implored. "I like the diner! Old chicks give me money when I bring 'em glasses of water and I don't have to wear a tie there!"

"Sure," Tony permitted, nodding his head. "AJ?" he whispered, peering down at the saddened youth. "Do you want to come live with me?"

AJ remained silent, keeping his eyes focused on the floor.

"AJ," Howie urged, lightly squeezing his friend's shoulder. "It's going to be okay."

"I don't deserve this," AJ mumbled, fighting his nearing tears. "I don't deserve such a great chance like this."

"Of course you do," Howie persisted, drawing McLean's thin form toward him. "You're a great person, AJ. You've already proven that. Just because your DNA might link up to your uncle it doesn't make you a bad person. Tony's a great man, you take this opportunity to learn from him. Maybe this is just what you need. You get great grades in school now maybe you could be thinkin' about college instead of bagging groceries."

"You really think so?" AJ queried, arching his brow. "You really think I could be something? And get a better life for myself?"

"I don't think so," Howie replied. "I know."

"Mr. Angelo, how do you intend to be a part of these boys' lives?" Mrs. Topper interrogated.

"I intend to be their friend and provider," he retorted with complete honesty. "I'm not gonna' try to be a father or dictator, that's not what they need. Just a place to feel safe and someone to depend on and time to spend with their friends. I just wish I could give them more."

"Nick," Judge Topper said softly, locking eyes with the orphan. "If you were put in Antonio Angelo's custody would you stay with him? No more running away?"

"Sure I would!" the blonde promised, excitedly. "Tony's cool, old ladies would pay me at the diner where I'd see Kevin and I could go to school with Brian and AJ!"

"And you, Mr. McLean?" the judge continued. "I'm very concerned about your attitude right now."

AJ lifted his head, pushing back his slouching shoulders. "I'd do right by Tony and for Howie's sake. They deserve that and I want to prove that I'm a good person with intelligence. Now,  maybe I have a chance to do that."

"Judge Topper, you couldn't possibly put these children in custody with him! I've already established a new setting for them," the irritated social worker fumed.

"Actually, Ms.Lorn," the judge clarified, "I will do whatever I see fit. Mr. Angelo has legally been accepted as a foster parent and has already established a relationship with these young men. Alexander and Nick have both exhibited a need to be with their friends in Lendon and to continue their education, I believe this would be best for them. Now, we need to discuss what is best for you, Ms. Lorn."

"For me?" Ms. Lorn sneered, narrowing her cold eyes.

"Yes," Judge Topper commented, "you have made it perfectly clear today that you do not belong in this career field. You show no compassion or remorse for the children or families you are selected to help. Perhaps, you are the hidden reason behind the problem Nick has dealt with. After witnessing your behavior I can easily see why Nickolas has chosen to run away from so many unpleasant situations and why Alexander has behaved so coldly towards you. I can't say that I blame them for their actions."

A muffled sigh passed through the judge's lips as she paused. "However, now isn't the time to deal with your lack of ability, Ms. Lorn, it's time to get AJ and Nick settled," she said with a smile. "Temporary custody is granted to Mr. Antonio Angelo and a trial will be set in a few more weeks in hope of making this situation permanent."

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"Woo hoo!" Nick Carter hollered as he brust through the courthouse doors.

"I'm glad to see you're so excited," Mr. Angelo expressed, laughing at the thirteen-year-old's eccentric behavior.

"Of course I am!" the blonde responded, bouncing up and down in anticipation.

"You really saved our asses in there, Tony," AJ bluntly stated. "We owe you a lot. I don't know how we'll ever repay you."

The Italian gentleman shook his head. "There is no need for payment. I wanted to do this."

"Um, you mind if I go for a little walk?" AJ requested, his tone layered with a nervous edge. "I need a little time to get things in perspective."

"Sure," Angelo allowed, signaling his approval.

"I'll come with you, AJ!" Howie called out, running down the empty street after the youth. "What's on your mind?" he inquired, walking along at the teen's side.

"Nothin'," AJ answered, briskly.

"Yeah right," Howie groaned. "You can't really expect me to believe that. What gives?"

"I just don't know how I feel about this, Howie," AJ reluctantly admitted. "I liked living with you. I'm thankful to Tony, but it'll just take time to get used to this. It kinda' sucks that I can't be oblivious to everything anymore. I was so good at it."

Howie wore a soft smirk. "Yeah, I am missing that ridiculous routine you did in your John Travolta suit and listening to you talk about your pursuit of the female gender."

AJ displayed a cocky grin. "Well, that won't last much longer. You know how the ladies cling to me and I'd hate to disappoint them. So, they'll all be relieved to know that their beloved Alexander McLean won't be leaving anytime soon."

"Oh, yeah," the Latino agreed, sarcastically. "I'm sure the relief will be felt from miles around."

"You know it," AJ chuckled.

Howie looked up at the young man. "So, how are you in reality?"

"Like I said, just trying to deal with it all," AJ repeated quietly, lowering his head. "It's just hard to believe that anything'll last forever anymore. And I'm still trying to deal with what my uncle did. You have no idea how much I hate the lousy bastard. I'd give anything to trade Kit places, then, I wouldn't have all this guilt."

"AJ, you've got to start dealing with this," Howie stated in concern. "You're really freakin' me out. If Tony would take you to a therapist, would you go?"

AJ rolled his dark eyes. "I'm not seeing a damn shrink and letting them get inside my head."

"They might be able to help you deal with your emotions before they get the best of you and cause you to do something you might regret," Howie realistically debated.

AJ moaned involuntarily as he listened to the man's wisdom. "You always have the right answer for me. Are you glad to be back in control?"

Howie smiled. "I'm just glad to be able to help you again. But now, I'm straving. What do you say we go get some grub?"

"Sounds great!"

AJ McLean turned his body, running back towards the courthouse steps. "Hey, guys! Me and Howie are gonna' go grab some lunch. Ya'll want anything?"

"I do!" Nick immediately accepted, resting his upon his stomach. "I'm straving!"

"Why don't you boys head on up to the diner?" Tony Angelo suggested, gesturing down the empty street. "I'll meet you in a few minutes and you can all have lunch together."

"Awesome!" Nick cried out, happily. "Oh, and, Mr. Angelo, could we go to the service tonight at the church?"

The Italian smiled down at the happy young man. "You're willing to wear a tie?"

Carter grimaced, wrinkling his nose. "Yeah, I guess. Anyway, I just wanted to go so I could thank God for sending me here."

"You believe?" Brian questioned, hopefully.

Nick nodded, wearing a content grin. "Yeah, I do, but I still have my doubts about everybody saying 'He' or 'Him'. God could easily be woman and when we get to Heaven she might be pissed that everybody's been gettin' it wrong for so many years."

Brian sighed, wrapping his arm around his friend's shoulders. "Maybe you should leave out the cuss words when you're talking about God," he suggested. "Kev? Could we go to lunch too? I promised Nick I'd tell him all about our school."

Richardson gazed down at his cousin skeptically. "You want to tell him about the place you always remind me that you hate?"

Brian shrugged. "I may not like it, but I need to graduate. I won't ever get out of here if I don't. Now, can I go?"

"May I go?" Kevin corrected.

Brian rolled his blue eyes. "Okay, may I go?"

Kevin signaled his approval. "Yeah, go on."

"Aren't you coming?" Nick asked the older man.

Kevin Richardson drew in a deep breath, sitting down on the courthouse steps. "No, I'm just going to sit here for a little while. You go ahead."

Tony Angelo sat down at the sad man's side, taking in his dim appearance. "You should be happy, Kevin," he informed his worker. "Everything turned out all right."

Kevin leaned back against the concrete steps, stretching out his long legs. "I don't believe in miracles, Tony," he openly admitted. "This is all too good to be true. We go from living an absolute life in hell to suddenly finding bliss standing on our doorstep. You saved Nick and AJ from going into foster care, we still get to be a part of their lives, Nick starts beliving in God, AJ's starting to deal with the crime his uncle committed and Brian wants to stay in school. Seems a bit fishy if you ask me. Things are just too perfect and the last time I was happy I ended up having my life turn upside down the next day."

Angelo patted his knee. "Well, it all makes sense. When AJ has Howie around he thinks things out clearly, Nick has a reason to believe because he finally knows the grace of God, I legally applied and was accepted as a foster parent. Naturally, they'd accept me to keep AJ in the same school system. And as for Brian, I don't think getting out of Lendon has anything with him staying in school, if he stays there he gets to spend time with Patti and we both know how happy she makes him."

"Yeah, believe me I know what it's like to have one of the O'Day sisters make you happy, but I also know what it's like to lose that feeling. That's why I don't believe anything is real. Soon, it'll probably blow up in all of our faces."

"Kid, if you keep on thinking like that you're never going to see the good in life. And the sad part is you're probably right. I'm sure there is something lurking behind the corner that'll end this happy mode. We've all been through too much to think that something good will last forever, but we have to enjoy it while it lasts."

"It doesn't matter how good anything is," Kevin whispered, staring down at the ground. "Nothing will bring Kit back. I don't get a happy ending."

"You're a very young man," Tony reminded him. "You'll meet someone else."

"I didn't want someone else!" Kevin snapped. "I wanted her, and I can't have that." He groaned, running his long fingers through his black tresses. "Ah, Mr. Angelo, I'm sorry. I'm jealous almost..It seems like everybody got what they wanted and I know I never will."

"Don't count your chickens before they hatch," his boss commented, quoting the familiar saying. "You seem to think that your life has already been planned for you, but it hasn't. There's a lot left for you to do and see. The entire world  is out there waiting for you; and when you boys are ready you'll see it and leave these bad memories behind when you create better ones. You have to keep on allowing yourself to live. Even if Kit didn't live a long time, she made her short time on earth memorable. And one day you will see her again."

"Thanks," Kevin mumbled, looking up sheepishly at the Italian. "I needed to hear that."

Tony gave the younger male a gentle hug. "Anytime. Now, are you going to come get some food?"

"Nah," Kevin rejected. "I just want to sit here for a while."

Richardson watched Tony's figure vanish into the distance as he walked down the narrow street. He listened to the cars passing by, people walking in front of his unmoving form. Intensely, he concentrated, fighting to comprehend why the solemn town could sometimes truly feel like home and at others feel like hell on earth.

The intense gaze traveling from Kevin Richardson's green eyes softened as he glanced down at a small butterfly that rested against the palm of his hand. The winged-creature stayed still, allowing the man to observe it's decorative colors. Shades of red, black and green covered the insect's wings, blurring together as it flew away. A smile surfaced upon Kevin's lips as he recalled the memory of Kit's kind voice.

"I want be like a butterfly. A butterfly starts out as this ugly little caterpillar and then it becomes a beautiful butterfly. With wings to fly away."

A comforting and new feeling of peace encompassed Kevin, lifting his somber spirit as he watched the butterfly fly up into the open sky. Flying passed the boundaries of Lendon to find what lay on the outside.

THE END