Brent finally aged out of foster care—but his brother, Sean, is still in the system. Determined to adopt him, Brent faces an uphill battle against strict laws, financial hurdles, and a skeptical social worker. He’s always protected Sean, but now, the court holds their future in its hands.
The family courtroom was dim, like they purposely kept the lights low to match the mood of the people inside. I clenched my hands into fists, then forced them open, one finger at a time.
A tense young man sitting in a courtroom | Source: Midjourney
Today was supposed to be the first step toward getting custody of my little brother, Sean.
I’d been working toward this day ever since I turned 18 and aged out of the foster system, but the judge had made it clear that I had a hard fight ahead of me.
Fran, Sean’s case worker, sat down beside me.
A stern woman sitting in a courtroom | Source: Midjourney
She wore the same expression she always did—professional concern mixed with just enough sympathy to remind me she was human.
But not enough to actually help.
“You heard the judge. You’re doing everything right, Brent,” she said, her voice even. “But you’re not there yet.”
