Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult

Author:Jodi Picoult
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Tags: Romance, Religion, Contemporary, Azizex666, Adult
ISBN: 9780060878061
Publisher: HarperCollins e-books
Published: 1999-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Keeping Faith

TEN

When love begins to sicken and decay,

It useth an enforc`ed ceremony.

There are no tricks in plain and simple faith.

–William Shakespeare,

Julius Caesar October 27, 1999 Mariah stands beside Joan in the middle of the judge’s chambers, terrified of making a wrong move. She is uncomfortably aware that she’s wearing leggings and an oversized sweatshirt, while Joan is wearing an olive suit, and both Colin and his attorney are dressed in Armani.

She stands ramrod straight, as if posture might count when it comes to deciding who will retain custody of Faith.

“Mariah,” Colin whispers behind his lawyer’s back, but the man hushes him.

The judge has been diligently scribbling away at his desk, and although it is past three o’clock, neither Joan nor the other lawyer has made any move to remind him that the hearing was supposed to start. Mariah realizes that the judge is wearing earphones. Very tiny ones, like news anchors wear–the kind that snake over the shell of the ear like a hearing aid. He reaches beneath his desk, pushes at something, and then tugs the tiny plugs from his ears. “All right,” he says,

turning to Colin’s lawyer, whom Mariah thinks she may have seen on the regional news. “Mr.

Metz, what do you have to say?”

The man smooths his tie with a feline preening that makes Mariah think of a ferret. “This is a matter of life and death, Your Honor. Mariah White is endangering my client’s child.”

Mariah feels everyone’s eyes settle on her. A flush works its way up her neck.

“Your Honor, my client only recently became aware of the dog-and-pony show that has become his child’s life, and the constant threat of physical endangerment. He’s in a position now to provide her with the safety and security she needs, and he feels that it is of the utmost importance that she get out of her mother’s household. It’s why we felt strongly about an ex parte hearing, and it’s why we’re confident that you’ll decide my client should have full custody.

But in the interests of safety, we want her removed from the home right now, before any more irreparable damage is done.”

Judge Rothbottam purses his lips.

“Six weeks ago your client legally ceded custody to his ex-wife, which leads me to believe he didn’t consider her a threat to the child’s welfare then. As far as I can see, the only thing that’s changed is a little press activity on the front lawn. What’s life-threatening about that?”

“In addition to the psychological stress of being paraded in front of the media daily, my client’s daughter has been hospitalized for intense trauma to the hands.”

“Trauma?” Joan sputters. “Your Honor, there’s absolutely no medical proof that Faith’s injuries were caused by trauma. In fact, several doctors have gone on record saying as much, and, as I’m sure you know, there’s an issue here that Mr. Metz is conveniently ignoring, which is that the child is apparently performing miracles and speaking to God. And as for the media–

well, their descent on the household has absolutely nothing to do with my client.

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