Unstoppable Read Free Page A

papers. “Right here, your honor.”
    â€œThen,” the judge said, examining the papers, “given the trouble Ms. Johnson has caused in all this and her apparent lack of responsibility—as well as respect for this court, I might add—all leads me to believe that the best course of action for this young . . . boy is to make him the legal and permanent son of Mr. and Mrs. Brad Constable.”
    A look passed between Mr. Constable and the lawyer that Harrison didn’t like. It was the look of two bank robbers who’d been invited into the vault. Harrison scanned the courtroom behind him again, feeling desperate and sensing that something very big was about to happen, something that would change the course of his life.
    Something that couldn’t be put right again.
    Something very bad.

Chapter Four
    MR. CONSTABLE TOOK AN oath.
    The teeth in his big head had too much room between them to form a complete smile, but it was the closest thing Harrison could remember to one. At the clerk’s desk, the grown-ups signed papers while Harrison stood in his stiff white shirt, the hair itching him to no end. Panic choked him and he was unable to voice the protest he felt certain he should be making.
    Mr. Constable nudged him before Harrison realized they were all staring at him and waiting for him to speak.
    â€œIsn’t that right, Son?” Mr. Constable asked.
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Mr. Constable’s smile tightened and his eyes seemed to radiate heat. “You don’t have to call me that, Son. Call me what you always call me.”
    â€œYes . . . Papa.”
    For some unknown reason, that made the adults chuckle. The judge took the papers the lawyer handed to him, added his own signature, pronounced Harrison Johnson officially and legally to be Harrison Constable, and struck the desk with his mallet.
    There was a ruckus at the back of the courtroom as someone forced open the doors with a shriek.

Chapter Five
    HARRISON FELT HIS INSIDES melt like butter in a hot pan.
    His mother’s dark frizzy hair shot out from her head in all directions. She wore a long raincoat and Harrison didn’t know what else besides a dirty pair of fluffy pink slippers. He could see the red in her eyes from across the room and the heavy bags of exhaustion they carried beneath them.
    Liquid pain pumped through his heart.
    â€œThat’s my baby!” Harrison’s mother screeched as the bailiff and a guard held her arms. “You can’t do that to my baby!”
    â€œOrder in this court!” The judge pounded and glared, but it had no effect. “Order, I said, or you’ll be in contempt!”
    â€œNooo!”
    Tears welled up in Harrison’s eyes. He felt like a split stick of firewood, half shamed, half aching to hold her. He started toward his mother, but Mr. Constable’s big hand clamped down on the back of his neck so that the nerves tingled in his head.
    â€œBailiff, remove that woman and take her into custody for contempt. I’ll not have it in my courtroom. I’ll not have it.” The judge pounded a final time as they dragged her out. Then he cleared his throat, gave an accusing look to Mr. Constable, and asked the clerk for the next case.
    Mr. Constable steered Harrison from the courtroom and all the way outside into the sunshine. A light breezed whispered through the trees, making the whole thing seem like a dream.
    â€œWhere’s my mother?” Harrison asked.
    â€œIt’s all right, Mud. You got a new mother now, Mrs. Constable. She’s your mother by law.”
    It was too much. Having a complete and legal family should provide comfort and nourishment for his soul, but it didn’t. Harrison thought of a snake he’d discovered under some boards behind the barn, a small snake that had swallowed a whole rat. It sat like a lump, helpless and unable to move for weeks, until it could finally digest its prey. He was that