“I don’t see how that is of any relevance to what we’re doing here today, Your Honor,” the other lawyer said.
“Mr. Lewis, I will decide what is and what isn’t relevant here,” the judge said. “Mr. James, carry on, please.”
I took a deep breath and Isaac whispered, “You can do this,” behind me so only I could hear.
“When I was fourteen, I found myself homeless, Your Honor. I didn’t know what to do, so I went to a place where I knew there would be lots of people around. I thought I’d be safe there. A boy who was only a couple of years older than me and who didn’t know me took me to a safe place. He shared his food with me and helped me. I wish he was here today to see the true impact he had on my life, but sadly, he was all too young when he passed away.
“So yes, most people would have ignored the teenager on their doorstep that was still sporting bruises on her face from being beaten by her father. My father never laid a hand on me, but he may as well have all those years ago.
“When I looked at Lucy, it was like looking at myself. Not to mention she had a photo of my birth certificate that stated my birth name, which I changed seven years ago. She wouldn’t have had access to that information if she wasn’t who she said she was.”
“Mr. Lewis, we have some serious accusations against your client. What do you have to say about that?”
The lawyer was about to speak when my dad interrupted.
“Your Honor, that man who is no longer my son decided long ago toput a black mark on our reputable family. Where I come from, family and community are everything and he,” my dad said, pointing at me, “decided his lifestyle was more important than his family. Now he wants to take my daughter away from her home to teach her how to live a life of sin.”
I hadn’t had any doubt that my so-called lifestyle would be brought up by my parents in an attemptto make me look bad, but looking at the judge, who had been so far fairly devoid of emotion, gave me some hope.
“Mr. Moretti, in my courtroom, we do not discriminate based on background, gender, or sexual orientation amongst a long list of other things. A person’s orientation has no bearing on their ability to do a job well or to raise a child, or indeed,to anything they want to do. I will ignore what you have just said so we can move on, but trust me, if I hear another word from you on this…” she left her threat hanging before she carried on.
“Mr. Lewis, considering the claims against your client thathe has neglected and abused his daughter, I want to know why is it your client wants to fight his son for custody of Miss. Lopez?”
That was the million-dollar question I wanted the answer to. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to hear it from the proverbial horse’s mouth because Peter asked the judge if he could bring in Micah as a witness.
“Mr. Summers, you are aware this isn’t a trial.”
“I am, Your Honor. Deputy Chief Micah Nowac has additional information that may shed light on Mr. and Mrs. Moretti’s intentions.”
I hadn’t even noticed Micah coming into the courtroom, but he was standing at the back making his way forward. He came to stand between Peter and Mr. Lewis before addressing the judge.
“Your Honor. Last night I was informed that Mr. James had been accused of kidnapping Miss. Lopez. I had never met Mr. James before, but when I saw the file, I recognized some names on it.
“Thirteen years ago when I was a rookie officer, I met this beautiful woman who had a gorgeous baby girl. I met her in hospital when I was asked to take her statement because she’d come in covered in bruises and with a broken arm.
“I didn’t get much from her, and she decided not to press charges. Over the next few years, I saw her on and off. She’d be on her way to work or going to the park with her little girl. Those bruises were always there.
“It wasn’t until a few years later that we started a relationship. I knew she hadn’t left her girl’s father, but I hoped she could see that I could love herin a way she deserved.
“Sadly, Valeria Lopez died of cancer. My point is, Your Honor. I’ve known Salvatore Moretti to be an abuser for a long time, and I couldn’t convince Valeria to press charges against him or leave him for good. But today I can serve as a witness thathe is not fit to be a parent. In fact, the only reason I believe he wants custody of Lucy is to get his hands on the trust fund her mom set up for her to receive when she goes to college.”
There was a collective gasp from the few people in the audience. I looked at my mom who was sitting quietly behind my dad. Her heavy makeup couldn’t disguise her reddening face, and my dad looked like he could murder Micah.
“Mr. Summers, did your client know about this trust fund?” the judge asked.
“No, Your Honor. As stated earlier, Mr. James only met Miss. Lopez just over a week ago. And Miss. Lopez doesn’t know about the trust fund. This information came to light when I contacted Deputy Chief Nowac to clarify the accusations against Mr. James last night. Mr. James has been in unofficial police custody since and hasn’t been in contact with anyone. This can be verified.
“It is also disclosed in the application for custody that Mr. James does not require any financial support for himself or Miss. Lopez.”
“I think I’ve heard enough to make a decision, and I have a phone call to make to convince my daughter to host this year’s Thanksgiving dinner. Counselors, if you haven’t got anything else to add, I am granting Mr. Max James full custody of Lucia Lopez until she is of age.
“Mr.Moretti you will be required to pay monthly child support to Mr. James until Miss. Lopez receives her trust fund.
“Mr. James, if you do not need the money, I suggest donating it to a good cause to support homeless teenagers. I’m sure you can think of a charity or two.”
