Karen Young - Private Lives

“Hetherington will have to award her reasonable child support.”

“But what if he believes she’s unstable and primary custody goes to Austin?” she asked anxiously.

“Isn’t that what you think?”

She looked at him with surprise. “What?”

Louie was shaking his head. “You haven’t admitted it to yourself, have you? You’ve been Gina’s guardian angel since the two of you were prepubescent, Liz. You’ve watched her make crazy choices even as you begged her to be reasonable, you’ve stepped in to grease the way back when she’s been irresponsible, you’ve lectured and cajoled, you’ve sympathized and nagged. When are you going to insist that she grow up?”

Elizabeth was on her feet now, hugging her middle as if to arm herself against what he said. “That’s a little harsh, isn’t it? And somewhat judgmental.”

He muttered something she didn’t quite catch, then said, “But is it wrong?”

“Some people find it harder to overcome the hardships of childhood than others.”

“Yes, and she can thank the good Lord that you aren’t one of them. Pity poor Jesse-girl if both of you were as damaged as Gina. As it is, the child’s got you as a second mother figure and a stabilizing influence.” Louie gazed through the trees to the patio of his own house where the two children romped and squealed and Archie barked in joyful accompaniment. “The real fear here is that Austin might change his mind and renew their affair. She won’t be able to hold out if he does.”

The same thought was making Elizabeth’s nights long and sleepless. But it made her feel guilty and disloyal to discuss it. To be honest, it was Jesse’s welfare that concerned her more than Gina’s. After all, Gina was an adult, a fact she’d often reminded Elizabeth of when they got on the subject of her relationship with Austin.

Louie was looking at her keenly. “I don’t hear a denial, Lizzie.”

She rubbed her forehead with one hand. “Not this time, Louie. I think the possibility of getting back with Austin is hopeless. He’s tired of her at last and that’s the only way this whole miserable situation is ever going to end.”

“And now, all we have to worry about is what happens to Jesse.”

“Yes, that’s all.”

Seeing the enormity of her fear, Louie rubbed his chin and looked wise. “I wouldn’t be too worried about that, Liz. Frankly, I can’t see a man like Austin wanting the responsibility of a young child. That takes an emotional toll, not to mention time and energy. He’ll avoid all three like a bull avoiding a rattlesnake.”

“I know he’s not concerned about Jesse’s welfare. He never has been. If there had been any doubt about that, he proved otherwise when he tried to force Gina to put Jesse on the stand. He had no thought of how devastating that might be for a five-year-old child. He’s shameless!”

“And selfish.”

“Well, to Gina’s credit, she refused,” Elizabeth said. “What I worry about now is that he’s so vindictive that he’d separate Jesse from Gina and never even consider the heartbreak that would cause both of them.”

“And you.” Louie was looking at her with sympathy. “You have too much invested in this, Liz, and no control over the outcome. You need a husband and children yourself. You’d be a terrific mother, but you’ve invested so much emotionally in these two that you aren’t even open to the possibility of a family of your own.”

She had been once, she thought, watching a dragonfly settle on the back of a chair. And she’d believed herself so close to realizing that dream. Once. “I’m not past the age of possibilities yet, Louie,” she said dryly. “I’m thirty, not fifty. There’s still time for me to marry. In the meantime, I’m concentrating on doing everything I can to help find a happy ending for Jesse. And Gina, of course.”

“Hmm. Meanwhile, let’s be grateful that we’re finally seeing the end of that sorry relationship,” Louie said, adding in a wry tone, “if we’re lucky. And even though it’s Austin doing the walking. Hell, it’s years overdue, but now’s not the time to look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“It’s so frustrating.” Elizabeth watched the dragonfly lift off and fly away. “But the more I know about people in abusive relationships, the more I can see Gina conforming to type. I remember the first time I saw purple marks he left on both her arms. I insisted that she pack up, leave him and file an official report with the police. She didn’t have Jesse then. It would have been so much easier than now. You know what she said?” Louie still sat silent. Unable to stand still, Elizabeth began pacing. “She said she’d provoked him, that it was as much her fault as his. I couldn’t believe it. She was battered and bruised and I think he’d made a mark on her cheek that she’d tried to cover up with makeup, which meant he’d struck her in the face, for heaven sake.” Her arms were again tight around herself and her eyes had a suspicious brightness. “That was the beginning and it only got worse. Gina’s reaction was right out of a textbook. Sadly, you’re right that she’d go back today if Austin smiled and crooked his finger.”

“Well, we can hope that won’t happen,” Louie said, rising with a painful grunt. He’d hurt his back a few weeks ago while preparing his vegetable garden. Of course, he’d refused any help from Gina and Elizabeth even though he would share its bounty. Next season, he would use a motorized tiller if she had to purchase it herself. “And even if he does manage to get primary custody, he’ll soon be bored and more than willing to hand Jesse back to Gina.”

Elizabeth smiled thinly. “Yes, but until he gets bored, there will be nothing and no one to protect his victims.”

They were seated in the courtroom a few minutes before ten the next day. Judge Hetherington arrived precisely on time, seated himself with an air of importance, then peered over his reading glasses to locate Gina and Austin. With a curt nod of his head, he addressed them both.

“This was a very difficult case. When the facts are as murky and uncertain as I’ve found them to be herein, I can only adjudicate with what’s given to me in testimony or in deposition. Ms. D’Angelo, I believe you love your daughter and genuinely seek what’s best for her. I also believe—” he turned his gaze on Austin “—that you, Mr. Leggett, have demonstrated a fatherly concern for Jesse, although your time and attention as a parent differs from your…ah, ex-partner’s parenting behavior, as well it should.” He studied notes in front of him silently for a few moments. “The difficulty in deciding this case lies in the accusations made by each of you about the other. In essence, the court has only the word of each of you that you are being truthful. I believe Ms. Walker is sincere in defending your character, Ms. D’Angelo. But she was not present when you and Mr. Leggett were alone behind closed doors. Therefore, her testimony must be considered hearsay. I find the same to be true of the deposition of one…ah—” he turned over several pages of a yellow pad “—Louis Christian.” Looking up, he gazed sternly at Ryan. “It would have been helpful to have a character witness for your client, Mr. Paxton. I have read the deposition of one…Marilyn Leggett Bingham, but—”

“That would be my mother, Your Honor,” Austin said, “Jesse’s grandmother.” He had begun to rise from his chair, but was halted when Ryan jerked hard on his coattail.

The judge’s gaze became a glare. “You had your chance to respond when court was in session yesterday, Mr. Leggett.”

“Sorry,” Austin mumbled, subsiding.

The judge reviewed his notes again. “Mrs. Bingham’s deposition was very favorable, as one might expect from a mother, but I am forced to point out that she is not in residence nearby and hasn’t seen the child in more than a year. Her testimony was not helpful in that context. I repeat, I find myself in a difficult situation.”