Let's Ride

Chapter 23

"I take full responsibility dad, I completely understand that!" I hung up, then looked at both them, OK we passed the first hurdle, dad has no problem with it, now it's my turn." Looking directly at Mrs. Winters, I said, " I want this all OK'd by a lawyer, but I get full custody of Jessica, as far as complete say-so in matters of medical treatment, schooling, and discipline, I am the first and final authority, now I don't mean to imply by all this I'm going to be some sort of hard-ass, it's more of a matter of everyone knows where we all stand, is all of this clearly understood?" "Yes," "Yes." "Good, I guess the next thing we need to do is deal with school and medical records, making sure all of Jessica's school records transfer, as well as her medical records but we have to set her up with a doctor, and school first."

We spent the rest of the day dealing with the paperwork end of things Mrs. Winters got an appointment with her attorney for tomorrow. I had Jessica box up all her clothes and effects for shipment by UPS out to Logan. Later I called Greg and told him the good news, he actually didn't seem too surprised, but certainly surprised me when he said, " Jessica seems like a nice kid, if and when we get married, I would have no objections to officially adopting her." "Well we'll worry about that if and when the time comes OK?" "Say babe do you need any money for the return trip, did Jessica's mom give you anything to cover expenses," "Yeah but only $500.00, it's all she could spare I figure a full round trip is going to run around $750.00 for two people." "No problem babe, I'll wire you the other $250.00, are you comfortable with riding back, maybe you could rent a U-Haul, throw the bike in back and drive?" "Naw, I thought of that already, too much of a hassle really, I'll be fine, your bike's been running like a top, we'll be fine lover." "Well, OK ride safe, when are you leaving?" "Well we've got a date with the lawyer tomorrow, either late tomorrow or the next morning for sure, oh yeah, tell dad a large box will be coming from UPS, it's all Jessica's things." "No problem babe be sure to call, love you!" "Love you too, later!"

One of the other stipulations I insisted on was a complete and full address and phone number of Mrs. Winters, and her parents, which she wrote down for me. In the early evening, I took a walk around the neighborhood in order to give Jessica and her mother time to talk, and get things straight between them, maybe for the last time. The next morning I had an opportunity to talk to Jessica alone, I asked her if she was comfortable with everything, last call." "Yes, absolutely, I don't think I'll have any trouble with your house rules, I just want someone to be there for me, someone that will look out for me." "Well Jessica I will certainly do that, since I can't call myself your mom, consider me your "older" sister, I promise to always be there for you, but remember there may be times I will tell you things you might not want to hear, but I will always call things the way I see them, but always remember I've been where you are now, I know what it's like." I hugged her, "Another thing Jessica, there are going to be a lot of fun times, I still know how to have fun." Jessica then got a worried expression on her face, "What about your boyfriend Greg, what's he going to say?" "Greg? I've already talked to him, he's cool with it, in fact, he told me he would have no problem with adoption were we to get married if it came to that." This took her by surprise, but she seemed happy about it. "Look, Jessica everything will be all right, we won't be leaving you with my dad all the time, there's so much to do out there, plan on going with Greg and I to all sorts of places, I want you to be able to see what a wonderful guy Greg is, so you can understand what makes up a decent man, and the things involved in a loving relationship."

The next day we visited Jessica's school and got transcript information and phone numbers, likewise her doctor then to the attorney's office for the legal work, the man thought it was a rather strange arrangement, but got the legal proceedings going, I would be Jessica's legal guardian as requested by her mother. I also picked up Greg's money order at a nearby Western Union office. That evening while Jessica and her mom spent some more time together I went over the bike checking oil drive belt brakes, lights the works, everything seemed to be in order, we would be leaving tomorrow around seven, and I thought I'd be leaving alone!"