She was practical, calm, and not easily surprised.
Even she raised her eyebrows when she read Vanessa’s filing.
Vanessa claimed grief had left her unable to parent after David’s death.
She claimed she had spent years recovering emotionally.
She claimed shame had prevented her from returning sooner.
Now, according to her petition, she had stable housing, steady income, and a deep desire to rebuild a relationship with her sons.
“Can she win?” I asked.
Rachel didn’t give me false comfort.
“Your guardianship is strong. Ten years of absence is extremely significant. The boys’ stability is significant. Their wishes may also matter, given their age. But we still prepare seriously.”
“So a biological parent can disappear and come back whenever she wants?”
“No. But courts examine parental rights and the children’s best interests carefully. We don’t assume anything.”
We gathered records.
School reports.
Medical records.
My health evaluation.
