Breaking Cover (Life Lessons) by Kaje Harper

Author:Kaje Harper [Harper, Kaje]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: MLR Press,LLC
Published: 2011-07-25T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

Tony glanced around the courtroom as he and Sabrina entered. It was shabbier and much smaller than he had expected from exposure to TV. There was very little room for spectators. But it made sense that family court would not be the drama that a criminal court was.

The only surviving defendant of last fall’s hostage disaster had taken a plea bargain, so Tony had never had to testify in court. He could have quite happily gone a lifetime that way. Even here, there was an oppressive weight to the place. The walls seemed close and high.

They followed the gesture of the bailiff directing them to a table in front of the bench. The Thompsons came in after them, moving to a second table and chairs. The judge was already seated, watching them enter. No one sat down. The bailiff announced the case and the Honorable Sharon Crowley presiding. She beckoned impatiently at them.

“Everyone approach the bench. I don’t want to yell.”

When they were standing in front of her, she eyed them over her glasses, and said, “I run a pretty informal court in cases like this. I expect you to answer my questions completely and avoid unnecessary comments. This is not the place to insult each other. If you waste my time you will regret it. Now, I’m going to have you introduce yourselves.” She pointed first at Ben’s grandparents.

“I’m Samuel Thompson, and this is my wife Arlene,” the grey-haired man said. Tony eyed them, trying to keep his expression neutral. Neither one looked at him. “Ben Serrano is our grandchild, the child of our only daughter, and his place is with us, not some…stranger.” He looked ready to comment further, but stopped when the judge held up her hand.

“Just introductions first,” she said. She pointed at Tony. “You, sir?”

“I’m Anthony Hart,” he said, “And this is Sabrina Cassidy. She’s a lawyer, but she’s mostly here as a friend.”

“Okay,” the judge agreed. “Mr. Thompson, do you have any legal representation with you?”

“No,” the man said. “Didn’t think we’d need one. It should be obvious. Boy’s our flesh and blood. He belongs with us.”

“Few things are that obvious,” the judge said tartly, “Or I wouldn’t need to be here. All right, let’s get started. I’ve read the case files.” She patted a pile of papers under her hand. “I like cases like this, where I’m choosing between two possible homes for a child. Sometimes I don’t have this luxury. All of you seem genuine in your desire to give the boy a home and family, and the caseworker does not consider either option completely unacceptable. I do have some questions for each of you, though, about details in these files.” She opened a page.

“Mrs. Thompson first.” The judge ran her finger over a line and then looked sharply at Arlene Thompson. “I’m aware that you are currently attending AA meetings, and your physician and testing confirm that you have been sober for quite some time.”

“Over a year,” Mr. Thompson put in.

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