Chapter 9 - Eli Asked Me to Become His Guardian, and I Realized the Boy Who Had Trusted Portland’s Most Feared Man Now Had No One ElseThe court hearing began.
Eli needed a guardian.
His father was still under investigation.
His mother was gone.
His sister needed care.
Social services wanted placement.
Eli refused.
“I want Mr. Moretti.”
The judge looked at me.
“You understand what he's asking?”
“Yes.”
“You're a businessman.”
“Yes.”
“You have no history raising children.”
“I have people I trust.”
The judge looked at Eli.
“Why him?”
Eli answered:
“Because everyone else told me I was lying.”
The courtroom became quiet.
The judge asked:
“What did Mr. Moretti do?”
“He believed me.”
That was the entire answer.
I became Eli's temporary guardian.
Then permanent.
Lucy stayed with us.
Parker eventually regained custody under strict conditions.
We built a family structure.
Not perfect.
May you like
But safe.
And for the first time, Eli slept without locking his bedroom door.
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