Yet it felt like things were happening too fast. The attorneys moved from point to counterpoint, running the entire gamut of issues. Each one seemed to be based on whatever had come before, but there was no hesitation or stammering as they found their points. Then Russell was calling Meredith to the stand.
Someone stepped up with a Bible and swore her in. Russell immediately began trying to make her look good. "Meredith, why do you believe that Faith should live with you?"
"Because I'm her mother," she said. "Little girls need a female figure in their life. Someone willing to say no when they pout to get their way, such as wanting to hang out with the wrong crowd. Faith's at that age where peer pressure is going to be a strong influence in her life, and I've been there. I know what it's like to be a girl that age."
"What do you mean, 'the wrong crowd?’" Russell asked.
"The boy she's currently spending time with is known for getting in fights. Of course, it's not surprising that Luke and I were called to the school because he got Faith involved in one."
Cessily smiled and made a little note, but Russell continued on with his questions, giving Meredith every chance to impress the judge with her motherly concern. She mentioned her new job, how living with her parents meant additional supervision for Faith, and hit all the points anyone could ask for.
Then it was my attorney's turn to ask the questions. Cessily took her time about getting up, flipping through her notes for a moment before looking to the bailiff. "Can you bring up exhibit five, please?" A picture of a text message appeared on a monitor at the side of the room. "Meredith, do you recognize this conversation?"
It was large enough that I could read the words easily. The ones sent to Faith, telling her that she had to do sit-ups everyday so she wouldn't look like a whale at the wedding. When Meredith said yes, Cessily had her read it out loud.
Then, "What about this one?" Cess asked, having them bring up another screen grab.
This time, it was Meredith telling Faith that the only reason she knew Faith was hers was because she'd been there when she was delivered. Beneath that, she told Faith that if she wanted friends, she needed to care more about how she dressed, because "ugly girls" didn't have many friends. Again, Meredith had to read it.
"Now, can you tell me how many friends Faith had at the end of her last school year?" Cessily pressed.
"None!" Meredith insisted. "That's why I was trying to encourage her to fit in with her peer group."
"And how many does she have now?"
"I only know about the boy," Meredith admitted.
Cessily just nodded. "So, we've discussed Faith's mental-health issues at the end of seventh grade and through the summer. Your daughter was cutting, had no friends, and expressed distress at being alone with the man that you moved in with. The one you married. Can you please explain to me how it is that being a woman has helped you navigate her problems better?"
"She didn't tell me about any of that!" Meredith insisted.
"I see," Cessily said. "No further questions."
And then it was my turn. Cess had told me what to expect, but even in this tiny little courtroom with its casual atmosphere, there was still something intimidating about placing my hand on the Bible and swearing to tell the truth. I tried to look as calm and in control as Cy always did. I did my best to appear as proud as Ash. Forcing down my nerves, I curled my lips into a smile, and attempted to mimic the charm and charisma of Violet, but my eyes went straight across the room to find Faith.
"Luke, how did you find out about the cutting?" Cessily asked.
"Dr. Marshall, the resident psychiatrist at Southwind, offered to talk to her. I'd mentioned some concerns, and he was willing to trade work. Naturally, I took him up on the offer. Faith told him about the cutting." All true. I left off Violet's part in it, but Cessily assured me that was ok.
"And why do you let her spend time with Zeke Harding, the boy Meredith seems concerned with?" Cess asked.
"Faith has been struggling at school with a trio of bullies. Zeke has also been bullied, which is why he's been in fights - to defend himself. When those three girls came after Faith, Zeke stepped in to help, taking the punishment so she didn't have to. After speaking with his mother, I believe that the young man is struggling as much as Faith, and I hope that their friendship can make the trials of middle school a little easier."
"And do you have any concerns with exposing your daughter to homosexuality?"
I shook my head. "No, ma'am. We had an age-appropriate discussion about love, and she asked a few embarrassing questions, but mostly about terminology."
"Such as?" Cessily pressed.
"The only words Faith knew are all considered slurs. I heard she asked one man if he was going to Hell. Like I said, age-appropriate things."
"And does it bother you to have her exposed to their relationship?" she asked.
I paused, looking over at Cy and Ash. "You know, my daughter said something. She said that it should be ok for them to kiss and hold hands in their own home because she wasn't a bully, and they shouldn't have to be scared of being themselves. I'm pretty sure that wasn't her exact words, but it's what I remember. Faith found out that they were intentionally not being romantic in front of her and made it clear that she hated how she'd been treated at school, so she wouldn't treat them like that. I've honestly never been prouder. So no. I'm not upset about it. I want my daughter to accept all people, regardless of what makes them different."
"No further questions," Cessily said, heading back to her chair.
Russell chuckled under his breath. "Well, Luke..." he said as he eased himself out of his chair. "It's funny you should mention that." He looked over at the bailiff. "Can I have exhibits twelve through twenty-one on the screen, two minutes between each, please."
