Blessed Child

Blessed Child by Ted Dekker Page A

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Authors: Ted Dekker
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seems to have latched on to the notion that you are responsible for him. And when I say quick, I am referring to this meeting only.”
    â€œDo you mind if we come in and sit?”
    â€œOf course.” The Greek walked to the gray couches and sat in a folding chair adjacent to them. He smelled of linseed oil. Jason glanced at Leiah and saw that she was watching the hall. He took her elbow and they joined Nikolous.
    â€œWhere is he?” Leiah asked.
    â€œWith Martha. His caretaker. They will be out momentarily.” One look at Nikolous and any judge with his head screwed on tightly would want testimony on his worthiness. Jason would give testimony, all right, but it wouldn’t be to worthiness.
    â€œNow, I want to be perfectly clear,” Nikolous said. “If you have any misguided notions of making new arrangements for this boy, you should dismiss them. We have full custody of the child.” He frowned confidently. “I’m not interested in your taking him off my hands. What I am interested in is your help with Caleb’s transition. The first days in such a new environment can be difficult, as I’m sure you well know. He seems to have taken a liking to you.”
    â€œAnd not you? Why not?”
    The frown deepened. “No need to be smart. These things take time. In the meantime you can help him. He will live here, under our care, but it might be useful for him to receive visits from you until he grows accustomed to his new home.”
    â€œWell, to be honest with you, Father, I’m no longer sure this should be his new home.”
    â€œAnd I’m really not interested in what you’re sure about, Mr. Marker. I’m more concerned with the child. And I need your help with the child.”
    A heavyset woman with long black hair, wearing a dress that was two sizes too small, suddenly marched from the hallway. Caleb stepped out from her shadow and stopped. He still wore the same gray slacks and white shirt they’d dressed him in yesterday. His face lit up at the sight of Leiah and Jason, and he walked quickly for Leiah. He slid onto the couch next to her, and she put an arm around his shoulders.
    â€œHello, Caleb.”
    â€œSelam,” he said with a smile.
    â€œAnd that’s another thing,” Nikolous said. “He simply must stop talking in this nonsensical language of his. You did say he knows English—”
    â€œGe’ez,” Leiah snapped. “His language is Ge’ez. And why do you insist on making comments like that in front of him? He understands you.”
    â€œIf he understands, then tell him to speak when spoken to.”
    â€œHe’s in shock. You can’t expect him to answer every question you throw his way.”
    Nikolous motioned to the woman. “Please sit, Martha.”
    She sat without expression.
    â€œThis is the boy’s caretaker, Martha.” She dipped her head. “Now he’s been positively insubordinate to Martha. And perhaps you are right. Perhaps his insubordination is the result of shock. Which is precisely why we need your help in easing him past this initial phase of transition. We have decided that daily visits immediately following the lunch hour would be good for the child.”
    Martha sat like a frog on her chair, bunched up and unmoving. This whole sham was absurd. It felt like something out of a Charles Dickens novel. The judge would take one look at this woman and refuse guardianship.
    The boy was absently examining his fingers now. Jason looked at Nikolous sitting stiffly in his chair. “I think I’ve had enough of this craziness. There’s no way we’re leaving this boy in your charge. He’s clearly not suited to you. You’re too impatient and too heartless to be this boy’s guardian. I’m going to recommend the judge deny guardianship.”
    â€œOn what grounds, my friend?” Nikolous asked.
    Jason had expected a bolt of lightning from

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