Before doing anything else, though, I swung by my new lawyer. She was a nice lady, middle aged, and had a photo of herself with another woman at an angle on her desk where most wouldn’t notice it.

“I suggest waiting on filing until the case is determined.”

I frowned. “They’re going to put me in a group home.”

“I know, but if you file now, you’re saying he’s guilty.”

I let out a breath. I hadn’t thought of that. “I just…”

“I looked at your friend’s case. It’s the income levels that are the problem.”

“Even if she moves in with me?”

“There’s…she’s not just your friend, right?”

I blushed a little bit and stole another look at that photo.

“And right now, Mike Carson is still your guardian. There’s…there’s one option.”

“What?”

“I…hesitate to suggest it, but it might work.”

“…you don’t mean.”

“You’re both seventeen. It’s legal in DC. All you need is…consent of your guardian.”

“You’re crazy.” She was. It wasn’t as if I’d not thought about it. But CPS would get in the way.

Unless Mike signed a marriage license application for us right now. We’d need an officiant, but Bruce could do it – he was high priest of his coven and legally clergy. Gods…it was crazy.

It was the craziest thought ever. It would work, but I knew…I knew in my heart of hearts we weren’t ready. Or rather, we might not be. We might end up splitting up in a blaze of glory.

I loved her. I knew that. And I had no idea what Mike would think about this. No, I knew. He’d think what he’d been told. “I was told our relationship might jeopardize his case.”

“Nobody needs to know. It usually takes a couple of weeks to get a civil wedding set up…they’re booked and all. And again, nobody needs to know.”
Just the two of us and witnesses and sneaking out the back door. Eloping. That’s what it would be. “I don’t know.”

“If you don’t go that route…I’ll keep working on it. I know she doesn’t want to get more work hours and I know why.”

I knew too. “Worst case scenario, she gets out when she goes to college.”

“Right.”

I’d also…no. I couldn’t do this. I was absolutely terrified by the very idea.