Amber shocked when Amber recived the notice from Court😱

   Amber hummed along to the radio, flipping pancakes with practiced ease. The smell of cinnamon and vanilla filled her small apartment, a comforting aroma against the gray city outside. She loved Sundays. They were her sanctuary, a day to recharge before diving back into the chaotic whirlwind of her job as a kindergarten teacher.

But Sunday was about to take a sharp, unexpected turn. 

The crisp, white envelope arrived with the morning paper. It felt heavier than usual, official. Amber frowned, her spatula hovering mid-air. Junk mail was rarely this formal. She ripped it open, her brow furrowing deeper as she scanned the legalese.

“To Amber Riley…” her voice trailed off, a chill snaking up her spine. “You are hereby summoned to appear before the court…” 

Her heart slammed against her ribs. Court? What on earth? She sank into a nearby chair, the pancake forgotten, its sizzle fading into silence. Her mind raced, a frantic hamster wheel of possibilities. Had she forgotten to pay a parking ticket? Misreported her taxes? Did someone believe she’d stolen… what? A stapler from school?

She read the document again, slower this time, picking apart each dense sentence. The case number, the presiding judge, the date of the hearing… it all swam before her eyes. Finally, she found the key: a subheading that read, “Regarding Custody of Emily Carter  Emily. The name pierced through the fog of her confusion. Emily was her cousin, the sweet, bright eight-year-old who had lost her parents in a tragic car accident six months ago. Amber had been devastated, like the rest of the family, but everyone had assumed that Emily would naturally go to her father's sister, Aunt Clara. Clara had always been the responsible one, the pillar of the family.

Why would Amber, a single woman with a small apartment and a demanding job, be involved in a custody battle?

Panic began to set in. She scrolled through the document, searching for clues. It mentioned a “contested claim” and “concerns regarding the child’s well-being.” She felt a knot tighten in her stomach. What was going on She immediately called Aunt Clara. Her voice cracked with anxiety as she explained the notice. But Clara's usually warm, comforting voice was brittle, almost defensive.

“Yes, Amber, I’m aware of the situation,” Clara said, her tone clipped. “Emily’s paternal grandparents are contesting my claim. They think I’m… not suitable.”

“Not suitable? Clara, that’s absurd! You’re her only blood relative on that side! You’ve always been so… stable!”

“They’re bringing up… things from the past,” Clara’s voice trembled. “Things I’d rather not discuss. They’re questioning my… capacity to care for Emily.”

Amber felt a surge of protectiveness towards her cousin – and towards Clara. What kind of “things” could justify ripping a grieving child from the only family she had left?

“Why am I being summoned, then?” Amber asked, the question heavy with dread.

Clara hesitated. “They… they want to speak to your character. Your… suitability as a caretaker. They know you’re close to Emily.”

The pieces started to fall into place, painting a horrifying picture. The grandparents were trying to leverage Amber, to somehow portray Clara as unfit by highlighting Amber's supposed "better" qualities. It was a cruel manipulation, putting Amber in the impossible position of potentially harming her own family  

The pancakes were now cold, forgotten. Amber stood up, a newfound determination hardening her gaze. She wasn't sure what she would say in court, or how she could navigate this treacherous situation. But one thing was certain: she wouldn't let Emily be used as a pawn in this bitter family feud. She would fight for what was right, even if it meant standing against her own relatives. The comfortable sanctuary of her Sunday morning had been shattered, replaced by the daunting reality of a legal battle. But as she picked up her phone, a sense of purpose ignited within her. This was no longer just about a court summons; it was about protecting a little girl who had already lost too much. And Amber Riley, the kindergarten teacher who loved Sundays, was ready to fight.