Chapter 6 - The Legal Avalanche
Friday morning arrived. The county courthouse was quiet as we gathered in Courtroom 4B.
Evelyn walked in wearing a modest dark blue dress, holding a handkerchief, looking every bit the heartbroken grandmother. Melissa sat beside her in a sharp blazer, looking smugly victorious. They had hired a budget family lawyer who looked puffed up with false confidence.
My mother glanced across the aisle at me, giving me a pitying look, as if to say, You should have submitted to me.
Judge Katherine Robertson presided. She opened the folder and looked over the petition.
“Mrs. Evelyn Harper,” Judge Robertson began, looking over her glasses. “You are asking this court for immediate protective custody of Lily Harper, claiming the mother, Natalie Harper, is unfit and neglectful?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Evelyn said softly, putting on a trembling voice. “It breaks my heart. Natalie leaves the child for days. Last Thursday, the child went completely out of control, and we had to call the police to save her from hurting herself. Natalie is simply unhinged.”
“I see,” Judge Robertson said. She then turned her gaze to my attorney. “Ms. Vance, how does the defense respond?”
Sarah stood up calmly. “Your Honor, we do not merely respond. We request an immediate dismissal, an injunction, and the immediate remand of the petitioner into police custody.”
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Evelyn’s lawyer jumped up. “Objection! This is absurd!”
“Sit down, counsel,” Judge Robertson ordered coldly. “Ms. Vance, explain.”
