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"JOHN, JUDY, it has come to our attention that you are unemancipated minors living on your own."
The Routledge siblings, seated in stiff-backed chairs across from a sharp-featured social worker, exchange a glance.
"No," they both say in unison.
"...No. No." John B exhales a humorless scoff.
"I need honesty to help you." The woman clicks her tongue, removing her glasses. "That's what we want, right?"
"We're being honest," Judy says, tugging at a loose thread on the sleeve of her yellow hoodie.
"Okay. Then when was the last time you spoke to your uncle?"
"Uh... thirty-four minutes ago." John B spares a glance at his watch, feigning nonchalance.
The social worker twirls a pink pen between her fingers. "And when was the last time you saw him?"
"Two hours and... forty-three minutes ago."
Judy notices the way the woman's eyebrows arch, silently calling bullshit. And she'd be right, but admitting the truth isn't an option.
"We'll be stopping by tomorrow to talk to your uncle," the woman says, her voice cool and measured. "If he's not there, we'll move forward with foster care."
Judy's throat tightens, something heavy sinking into her stomach—her heart, probably. The thought of foster care terrifies her. Being separated from her brother? That mortifies her. They only have each other now, and they need to stick together.
The woman continues, her tone almost patronizing. "I want to assure you, we're going to find you a safe and loving home."
After a few more uncomfortable minutes, they're dismissed. The siblings walk out of the building, the thick Outer Banks humidity hitting Judy like a slap.
"This isn't good, JB," she huffs, dragging her clammy hands down her face. "What the hell are we going to do?"
"Relax," John B says, coughing to mask his nerves. He places his hands on her shoulders, trying to calm her. "I'll figure something out."
"How?"
"I don't know. I just... I will, alright?"
Judy shrugs him off, lacing her fingers behind her head.
"Hey." John B's voice softens, his brows pinching together. "I'm not gonna let them split us up, okay? I promise."
"What if that's out of your control?" She bites into her bottom lip, the pressure almost painful.
