Private Lives. Karen Young

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СКАЧАТЬ to Gina’s credit, she refused,” Elizabeth said. “What I worry about now is that he’s so vindictive that he’d separate Jesse from Gina and never even consider the heartbreak that would cause both of them.”

      “And you.” Louie was looking at her with sympathy. “You have too much invested in this, Liz, and no control over the outcome. You need a husband and children yourself. You’d be a terrific mother, but you’ve invested so much emotionally in these two that you aren’t even open to the possibility of a family of your own.”

      She had been once, she thought, watching a dragonfly settle on the back of a chair. And she’d believed herself so close to realizing that dream. Once. “I’m not past the age of possibilities yet, Louie,” she said dryly. “I’m thirty, not fifty. There’s still time for me to marry. In the meantime, I’m concentrating on doing everything I can to help find a happy ending for Jesse. And Gina, of course.”

      “Hmm. Meanwhile, let’s be grateful that we’re finally seeing the end of that sorry relationship,” Louie said, adding in a wry tone, “if we’re lucky. And even though it’s Austin doing the walking. Hell, it’s years overdue, but now’s not the time to look a gift horse in the mouth.”

      “It’s so frustrating.” Elizabeth watched the dragonfly lift off and fly away. “But the more I know about people in abusive relationships, the more I can see Gina conforming to type. I remember the first time I saw purple marks he left on both her arms. I insisted that she pack up, leave him and file an official report with the police. She didn’t have Jesse then. It would have been so much easier than now. You know what she said?” Louie still sat silent. Unable to stand still, Elizabeth began pacing. “She said she’d provoked him, that it was as much her fault as his. I couldn’t believe it. She was battered and bruised and I think he’d made a mark on her cheek that she’d tried to cover up with makeup, which meant he’d struck her in the face, for heaven sake.” Her arms were again tight around herself and her eyes had a suspicious brightness. “That was the beginning and it only got worse. Gina’s reaction was right out of a textbook. Sadly, you’re right that she’d go back today if Austin smiled and crooked his finger.”

      “Well, we can hope that won’t happen,” Louie said, rising with a painful grunt. He’d hurt his back a few weeks ago while preparing his vegetable garden. Of course, he’d refused any help from Gina and Elizabeth even though he would share its bounty. Next season, he would use a motorized tiller if she had to purchase it herself. “And even if he does manage to get primary custody, he’ll soon be bored and more than willing to hand Jesse back to Gina.”

      Elizabeth smiled thinly. “Yes, but until he gets bored, there will be nothing and no one to protect his victims.”

      They were seated in the courtroom a few minutes before ten the next day. Judge Hetherington arrived precisely on time, seated himself with an air of importance, then peered over his reading glasses to locate Gina and Austin. With a curt nod of his head, he addressed them both.

      “This was a very difficult case. When the facts are as murky and uncertain as I’ve found them to be herein, I can only adjudicate with what’s given to me in testimony or in deposition. Ms. D’Angelo, I believe you love your daughter and genuinely seek what’s best for her. I also believe—” he turned his gaze on Austin “—that you, Mr. Leggett, have demonstrated a fatherly concern for Jesse, although your time and attention as a parent differs from your…ah, ex-partner’s parenting behavior, as well it should.” He studied notes in front of him silently for a few moments. “The difficulty in deciding this case lies in the accusations made by each of you about the other. In essence, the court has only the word of each of you that you are being truthful. I believe Ms. Walker is sincere in defending your character, Ms. D’Angelo. But she was not present when you and Mr. Leggett were alone behind closed doors. Therefore, her testimony must be considered hearsay. I find the same to be true of the deposition of one…ah—” he turned over several pages of a yellow pad “—Louis Christian.” Looking up, he gazed sternly at Ryan. “It would have been helpful to have a character witness for your client, Mr. Paxton. I have read the deposition of one…Marilyn Leggett Bingham, but—”

      “That would be my mother, Your Honor,” Austin said, “Jesse’s grandmother.” He had begun to rise from his chair, but was halted when Ryan jerked hard on his coattail.

      The judge’s gaze became a glare. “You had your chance to respond when court was in session yesterday, Mr. Leggett.”

      “Sorry,” Austin mumbled, subsiding.

      The judge reviewed his notes again. “Mrs. Bingham’s deposition was very favorable, as one might expect from a mother, but I am forced to point out that she is not in residence nearby and hasn’t seen the child in more than a year. Her testimony was not helpful in that context. I repeat, I find myself in a difficult situation.”

      Listening, Elizabeth held her breath. In front of her, Gina sat fidgeting and looking scared. And no wonder, Elizabeth thought. Judge Hetherington clearly wasn’t convinced that they’d told the truth about Austin. Was the man going to get away scot-free?

      “I’m favorably impressed by Ms. D’Angelo’s modest financial demands,” the judge continued, “as well as her intention to set aside some of it for the child’s education later. I’m granting that amount. I’m also increasing it by two thousand dollars each month to apply to rent and day-care since Ms. D’Angelo has stated she needs to seek employment and it’s unreasonable to assume that she can enjoy her friend’s hospitality indefinitely. If she does indeed find suitable employment, I’ll take another look at her financial situation.”

      Gina made a soft, incoherent sound, but was sternly quashed by one look from the judge. Focusing again on his yellow pad, he studied his notes in silence, then continued. “I’m also favorably impressed by Mr. Leggett’s generosity in providing for Ms. D’Angelo and the child for the entire duration of their relationship. Without hospital records or police statements to back up the allegations of abuse, I’m powerless by law to consider that an issue here today. Consequently…” He paused, finished with his notes, and began tidying up. When the pad and all documents were neatly stacked in front of him, he reached for his gavel. “I’m granting joint and equal custody of the minor child, Jesse Elizabeth Leggett, to you both, Gina D’Angelo and Austin Leggett, and directing that you work out an amicable arrangement for sharing the responsibilities of parenting her. There’s no such thing as equal custody, of course, but you both live in the same town and that is an advantage. Since Jesse attends kindergarten, I’m directing that she live with her mother during the week and that you have visitation rights as often as you wish, Mr. Leggett. I leave it to you both to work out weekend visitation, but I’m again directing that it be each and every weekend if you so desire, Mr. Leggett. Also, you are to take turns with holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Labor Day, whatever. If you are unable to come to an agreement, then the court will appoint someone to do it for you.” Stern-faced, he leaned forward and pointed the gavel at them. “I strongly urge you both to work this out between yourselves. I’ll expect a document from your attorneys within thirty days as to the terms and conditions. I don’t need to point out the difficulties in dividing a child’s life into two equal parts, but if you care about Jesse as much as you’ve testified to me, then I’m confident you’ll both do the right thing. Now, this hearing is adjourned.”

      Crack! His gavel banged and it was over.

      Five

      “Can we talk, Ms. Walker?”

      Ryan Paxton spoke from behind Elizabeth as she stood in line at Starbucks waiting for the cappuccino she’d ordered. She turned, startled, and found herself looking into СКАЧАТЬ