Conversations Over Juice Boxes

The judge’s office felt unfamiliar, the walls lined with books and the quiet hum of a distant air conditioner. He tried to ease the tension, offering a warm smile as he handed Olive a juice box from the fridge. It was a small, kind gesture, but it did little to calm her nerves.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, the pressure building up in her chest. As the judge began asking about her life with the Quinns, Olive’s answers were hesitant and measured. She kept her responses brief. This conversation was more than just questions—it was a test, one she wasn’t sure she was ready for.