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I hold myself back and let Olivia do her job.
“This transfer in no way indicates you don’t love your child.” Her voice is calm. She even smiles. “In fact, it means just the opposite. For many parents like yourself it’s the best course of action, and your selflessness demonstrates the greatest love of all.”
“Still…” He flops the paper onto the desk. “I think I should be compensated.”
“Compensated.” My voice is flat, and again, Olivia’s lips press together.
“It just seems like everybody’s getting something out of this but me.”
“You’re not having to pay for your freedom. Liv is providing this servicepro bono.”
“Is that like for the band?”
I cut my eyes to Liv, confused.
“Pro bonois a Latin term that meansfor the good. It means I’m donating my time to help you.”
“It means she’s not getting paid. Nobody is.” I hit thenobodyhard.
“Well, that sounds like her business.” Jayden exhales, leaning back in his chair again. “It has nothing to do with me. I’ve got needs.”
I’m about to say heneedsto sign this contract or he’s going toneedemergency medical treatment.
“Why don’t you take a day to think about it.” Liv stands, walking around her desk. “This is your copy. Take it with you and give it a thorough reading.”
She slides her hands down her black pencil skirt, and I notice she’s wearing bright red shoes. It reminds me of when she would run around with Garrett all the time in Newhope. She was always wearing something red.
“I’ll do that.” He takes the papers and walks to the door.
As soon as he’s out, she pushes it closed. “That man is a piece of work. How did Rachel turn out so sweet?”
“Getting away early.” It comes out a touch above a growl. “I’m ready to take him to court. Let a judge take one look at this two-bit hustler and decide.”
“We were able to get a meeting in chambers this week, which is very unusual.” She leans back on her desk, crossing her arms. “It can take as long as a month, but they had a sudden opening.”
It feels like a good omen. “You can tell him about Edward’s equine therapy and how he won the pool tournament. He’s making friends and starting school in January. All that has to matter for a kid like him.”
“They’re all good things, and I’ll make the case for the stability and community he has with his sister.” Her forehead lines with worry. “But I have to be honest with you, it’s nearly impossible to get a judge to revoke parental rights without some form of gross neglect or abuse.”
“He essentially abandoned them. Rachel has taken care of Edward since he was a baby.”
“Still, she’s not his parent. She’s a young, single woman, alone in the world with limited income, no permanent housing…”
“She’s not alone.” Energy is in my chest. “Rachel is my future wife.”
It’s impulsive, and I’m taking a big risk. But I promised I’d be back with custody papers, and I won’t let her down.
“Really?” Olivia straightens, uncrossing her arms and smiling for the first time all day. “Well, congratulations. That definitely helps your case. We can present you as a potential step-guardian. It would be better if you were already married, but it certainly helps.”
“I’ll arrange a pretrial meeting with Jayden tomorrow morning, and we can see where he stands.” She rounds her desk,collecting her laptop and bag. “I doubt it’ll make a difference to him, but it might with the judge.”
“I think a judge would care that he’s only interested in money.”
“He can easily deny that.” Reaching out, she touches my forearm. “I know it’s hard, but let me do the talking.”
The next daywe meet in a small room outside the judge’s chambers. It reminds me of being in the principal’s office at school. The walls are plain beige, the desks are scratched-up blond wood, and it smells like chemical cleaning products.
Jayden is back, dressed in jeans and a beat-up corduroy blazer. His beard needs to be shaped up, and his hair could use a comb.
