Jeffrey sniffed.
“Can the judge hear what she said?”
“Yes.”
“Can we tell him?”
“If the court allows it, yes.”
George looked uncertain.
“Will she get mad?”
“Maybe.”
“Then what?”
“Then she gets mad.”
I squeezed his hand.
“You are not responsible for managing an adult’s feelings.”
The next morning, I called Rachel.
She requested that the boys’ views be heard in an age-appropriate way.
The judge agreed.
Everyone assumed George would do most of the talking.
George assumed that too.
We were all wrong.
Part 7 — The Mother Who Returned
The hearing took place on a Monday.
Vanessa arrived wearing a cream suit and pearl earrings.
No flashy jewelry.
No dramatic makeup.
Her attorney had prepared her well.
When she testified, he began gently.
“Ms. Reed, why did you leave your sons after your husband’s death?”
Vanessa lowered her eyes.
“I wasn’t well.”
“In what sense?”
“I was destroyed.”
