Rory

"Rory Cain, could you come forward please?"

Rory doesn't look at Trace as he walks by, and Trace bows his head, then glances over at me.

And we both know Rory could break this.

"Rory, what can you tell me about life with Trace?"

"And Ken."

"Ken?"

He points to me.

"Karinne?"

"Yea. Ken."

The judge smiles again, that hint of a smile that just tugs the corners of her mouth. "So what is it like living with Trace and Ken?"

"It's good," he says noncommittally.

"Do you feel like you get along with them?"

"Yea." He looks down, and I know she's suddenly skeptical at his attitude.

"Ms. O'Neill mentioned you have gotten in some fights in the past. Can you describe the context? And what did Trace do about them?"

I scowl up at the judge, momentarily forgetting that we should be keeping up an image. These personal questions are not something a kid should be forced to answer in front of a room full of people. Certainly not a kid like Rory, who is a Cain all the way through, taciturn and uncomfortable in large groups, warm and open only in groups of two or three.

"You want the truth?" Rory lets out a bark of a laugh. "Her son started them."

"Her son?" Vivien Anise narrows her eyes. "I wasn't aware she had a son."

"Carey. It's Adam Kudel's son, but she's with Kudel, so it's all the same."

Vivien stiffens. "I see. And can you tell me how Trace reacted to these fights?"

Rory's expression softens just slightly as he glances at Trace. "If it was my fault I was grounded. But he always-- made sure I was okay first. And he listened."

"He listened?"

"If any of my friends had gotten into fights, they'd be grounded off hand," Rory says, his face impassive. "But Trace listens, cause it isn't as simple as everyone thinks."

Vivien Anise looks straight at Trace, her face blank but her eyes fierce, and she nods, just slightly. "Thank you, Rory. You may take your seat. Before the verdict, I would like to ask one more witness to step forward." Her eyes fasten on me and suddenly I'm terrified. "Ms. Karinne Lewis, would you come forward to be sworn in please?"