Chapter 17 - Friday at Juniper
I reached Juniper House with Keisha at six Friday morning. We didn't go there to fight anyone. We brought a lawyer's number, copies of the court filing, and a plan to keep children away from the entrance.
Southgate's trucks pulled up at six-thirty. Four men in work jackets climbed out. Their supervisor, Vince Talbot, waved a clipboard.
āWe're here for the scheduled relocation,ā he announced.
āShow me the residents' consent forms,ā Keisha said.
āCompany business.ā
āNot on this property.ā
A woman leaned out of an upstairs window. āNobody told me I was moving.ā
Vince looked annoyed. āWe have authority from the owner.ā
āIt's owned by the foundation,ā Priya said over speakerphone. āThe county has challenged the transfer. Police have been called to document what happens next.ā
Vince refused to show a court order or a lawful notice authorizing entry. The trucks stayed at the curb. After a long argument, he ordered his men back into their vehicles.
No cheering followed. Inside, several children were crying. They'd watched strangers arrive to take away the only home they knew.
I sat on the bottom stair beside a girl who held a stuffed rabbit missing one ear.
āAre they coming back?ā she asked.
āI don't know,ā I told her. āBut the adults are making a real plan. You won't have to face them alone.ā
Keisha joined us. āThe court has issued a temporary order keeping the property from being cleared while the dispute is reviewed.ā
I felt relief, then exhaustion. One order couldn't repair the fear Robert had already caused.
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As the trucks pulled away, David appeared at the far end of the sidewalk. He carried a sealed envelope. He stopped several feet from me.
āI gave my statement to the investigator,ā he said. āThere's something in here Dad never wanted anyone to see.ā
