What Kaydence Knows

A few days ago, I had my first-ever sit-down conversation with my 7 year old niece.  I had seen her only once in person and mostly in pictures Bassy sent of her.  My own kids were at daycare or at school.
I'll step back and let her tell the story, she can tell it far better than I can.

 

"While I was -- I was living at our house in Starlight Shores, I used to love going outside on a clear night, sometimes to get in the pool, and sometimes just to look at the stars."

 

 

"When I was a baby in mommy's arms I thought everything was gonna be okay."

 

 

"My daddy used to dress up in all these cool costumes and not come home for days at a time."

 

 

"Mommy was always on the phone talking about going to sing at different places.  I used to love hearing mommy sing.  She had a pretty voice."

 

"Everyone thought we were this happy little family.  But it was all for show.  The only time mommy ever kissed me, she did it while the cameras were flashing."

 

"When daddy used to cook at home, mommy was on the phone with her people."

 

"One evening while mommy was off singing somewhere I walked in from riding my bike..."

 

 

"...and I saw my daddy talking to Marie, my nanny.  Soon after that, I saw him hug her and kiss her on the lips."

 

 

"I was so upset, I could have run away right then and there.  But I knew Marie would call the cops."

"Why didn't you say this in court?" I asked her after she finished.
"I was scared," she told me, "my mommy and my daddy were there and I didn't want them to hate me."
"They won't ever hate you," I tried to reassure her, "they love you.  They're just doing a lot of stupid things right now."

If I'm to believe Kady, and I do, Bassy, my darling baby brother, was having an affair with his daughter's nanny.  What the hell was he thinking?  Even my dad wouldn't stoop that low -- and he did it with my mom's best friend.   

Even at her young age, Kady knew that what her dad was doing was wrong.

The fact of the matter is, my baby brother has not yet grown up, and it's high time he does so.  He's got two kids and he's not really raising either of them.  Poor Kady is raising herself practically and Aaron - I have to believe he's in better hands with his mother than he ever would be with my brother. It's sad that Kady, at 7 years old, is more grown up than he is.

I've come to the conclusion that, you know, the magistrate is right.  Neither one of them deserve Kady.  Kady's a sharp cookie.  She knows what's going on.   I know I won't be winning any mother of the year contests any time soon, what with my 15 year old daughter so out of control she's about to go to reform school, but these two couldn't screw up a kid more if they'd starved her and left her on the side of the road. 

Neither one of them should have been parents. 

The Decision

Back on dry land, and back to our real-world problems. Sawyer's starting school next month -- I can't believe it. And on the other end of the spectrum, AJ and Sage are going to be returning to college. The funny thing is that AJ actually WANTS to go back, after I had to make him go the first time. I already knew Sage liked school, she was an eager beaver when it came to studying.
But she's told me that she wants to change majors.  She wants to go into environmental biology now.
I said, "Sage, you know what I've always told you guys, if it makes you happy then do it." It was my dad's philosophy and I followed it.
Skylar's started voice and dance lessons at the new Performing Arts Center. (Hey, we're a musical family, and this is the 1st of my children to show any interest in the family business, lol) The dance lessons were actually Sky's idea, not mine.

But the first item on the agenda is a date with the queen's self-appointed magistrate, in a closed hearing in one of their side courtrooms. The hearing, of course, was about who would receive permanent custody of my niece.

With my voice in his ear my darling baby brother filed for full custody of my niece Kady after he learned of his girlfriend Madi's affair with Darren Dreamer (and a few others). Her relationship with Mr. Dreamer had been going on for some time. He found letters Mr. Dreamer had written to her, proclaiming his undying love and support. (Mr. Dreamer is currently married to another woman, Darleen something or other)

In just-released court documents, Madi blasts at my brother, calling him weak and a bad husband and father, and even going as far as throwing his other son under the bus. He only acknowledged Aaron's paternity very recently. Of course, I don't approve of how he handled that either, but that's another post for another time. I never liked Madi much but Bassy has made enough mistakes for three lifetimes. He's as much to blame for this situation as she is.

Anyway, back to the hearing.  Bassy couldn't even keep his eyes off of his ex.  The magistrate had heard from me, Bassy, Madi and her mother/manager Michele, but he wanted to hear from one more person.

Kaydence.

So we were all dumbfounded when this tiny little girl steps up to the witness stand. So tiny, yes, but she certainly has more confidence than either Bassy or I had at that age. This poor girl has seen more stuff in her brief time alive than most of us have seen as grown ups.

"State your full name for the court."

"Kaydence Michele Westley-Plumb." She spoke in a such a clear voice she almost didn't need a mic.

"Do you know why you're here?"

"Cuz my mommy and my daddy don't get along."

The magistrate managed a chuckle. "Yes, that's part of it. Your parents came to me to resolve a dispute over where you'll live. Tell me, Kaydence, who do you want to live with?"

Kaydence took a deep breath. She cast glances at her mother and her father before looking at the magistrate. "Do I have to live with either of them?"

The magistrate laughed again.

Then the magistrate decided to rise and address the court, but his remarks seemed to be addressed at Bassy and Madi. "The two of you ought to be ashamed of yourselves, putting this little girl in this position. Thankfully, she seems to be more grown up than the two of you together. I ought not to give either of you custody, but according to the laws I have to award it to one of you. You don't deserve this little girl.

"In the matter of Sebastian Ryan Plumb vs. Madison Brooke Westley, I have decided to award temporary custody to Mr. Plumb. Mrs. Cheesman has been appointed as secondary guardian, and Ms. Westley has supervised visitation twice a week. I'm a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child, and at this age both parents need to be in her life. This case will be revisited in six months. That'll be all." He banged his gavel signifying the finality of his decision.

So, not only do I have my own issues, I'm a secondary guardian to my brother's daughter. I have to watch him like a hawk, just like I used to when he was younger. I'm still cleaning up his mess, all these years later. I do it because he's my baby brother. I've been responsible for him since he was born. No matter how old he is, he is still my baby brother. He gets on my nerves but he is still my baby brother.