I emptied my savings account that same night.
« Sir? » Eli looked at me, and his voice was barely a whisper. « Are they going to take us to different houses? »
« Not if I can help it, buddy. »
« Do you promise? »
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
I had never made a promise like that aloud in my entire life.
« I promise that I’m going to try harder than I’ve ever tried at anything. »
He nodded once, as though that answer was enough, and turned back to his sister.
Then, the bailiff stepped into the hallway and called our case number.
Diane, my attorney, pulled me into a small side room the moment the court recessed.
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