Brandon’s testimony connected them.
Melissa finally asked to speak.
Judge Carlton allowed it.
She stood, and for the first time the practiced tremble was gone.
“I lost my husband too,” she said.
“Everyone keeps talking about what Ethan lost and what Lauren lost.
I lost David.
I was left with bills, a grieving child, a job, a house, everything.
Brandon gave me a chance to start over.
Is that a crime?”
“No,” Judge Carlton said.
“Then why am I being treated like one?”
“You are not.”
“She wants my son.”
I flinched.
I had never wanted to replace Melissa.
I wanted Ethan to stop being treated like evidence in a battle between adults.
Judge Carlton seemed to read the thought on my face.
He turned to me.
“Mrs.
Lauren Reynolds, if Ethan were placed primarily with you on a temporary basis, would you facilitate contact with his mother?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“How much?”
“As much as is healthy for Ethan and consistent with whatever the court orders.”
Melissa laughed once, bitterly.
“There.
She already thinks she gets to decide what’s healthy.”
I looked at her.
“No.
I think Ethan needs his mother.”
That silenced her.
I continued only because the judge nodded.
“But he also needs to know loving his father isn’t disloyal to you.
And loving me isn’t disloyal to you.”
Ethan’s face crumpled for the first time all day.
Melissa looked away.
The judge recessed for twenty minutes.
In the hallway, nobody knew what to say.
Ethan sat beside me, staring at his shoes.
I wanted to hug him, but I waited until he leaned against my shoulder first.
“You okay?” I whispered.
“No.”
It was the most honest answer possible.
“I’m sorry you had to do that.”
“I didn’t want Mom to get in trouble.”
“I know.”
“I just didn’t want everyone saying I wanted something I didn’t.”
I took his hand.
“You told the truth.
What happens with it is for the adults to handle.”
Across the hallway, Melissa stood with her attorney.
Brandon was several feet away from her now.
Once, she looked toward Ethan.
Her anger softened.
Then the bailiff opened the courtroom doors.
Judge Carlton returned and began carefully.
