Page 16 of Foster

Then she looks off camera and says something, and to my surprise, I see Chet lean in to kiss her cheek. He says something that seems to reassure her as her expression turns bland.

“And that’s why we keep the camera off,” Jared says with a chuckle. “We know that Sandra’s already on edge.”

My attorney has me well prepped so when the Honorable Hoyt Templeton joins the meeting, along with his clerk, I know my role is to sit back and keep my mouth shut unless Jared specifically tells me to talk. I also know to keep a neutral expression and my hands clasped on the table, the perfect picture of calm maturity.

“I want to thank you all for being here.” The judge, with his charcoal-gray hair and trim beard, glances down at his desk, then up again. “I’ve read the father’s, Foster McInnis, petition for custody as well as the mother’s, Sandra Tanner, response and I believe I understand the issues before us.” Jared had me read over the petition before he filed it and it’s a good piece of reading. He was succinct in laying out my concerns with Sandra, something he assured me that this judge appreciates. He wasn’t big on drama or overreaching. “Do either of the parties wish to add anything?”

Jared pipes up first. “Your Honor, we believe our petition is clear that Mr. McInnis has a genuine concern for his daughter’s welfare and is vehemently opposed to her leaving the country. We’ve attached character witness statements from family, friends and co-workers, notably including Brienne Norcross, the owner of the Pittsburgh Titans. The only other thing I’ll add is that Mr. McInnis has secured a full-time nanny with impeccable credentials to care for his daughter when he is traveling and is fully prepared to accept full physical custody after the hearing today.”

The judge nods. “Anything from your client?” he asks the other attorney.

The man starts to shake his head, but Sandra elbows him in the arm, leans toward him and whispers harshly, clear enough so everyone can hear, “I would like to have my say.”

Her attorney’s shoulders sag and he makes a motion toward the camera. “Your Honor, my client would like to say a few words.”

The judge looks respectfully interested as Sandra begins what can only be termed as a rant. I keep my ears open as she talks about the injustice of choosing between a job and her daughter and how, in this day and age, she should be able to have both. But my eyes remain on the judge whose open expression shutters when she says, “I’ve been waiting my entire life for a big break like this and I deserve it. It is an opportunity I can’t and won’t pass up.”

I somehow manage not to laugh at the absurdity and when she’s done, the judge says, “Thank you, Ms. Tanner. I’ve noted your concerns.”

He then looks directly into the camera. “If neither side has an objection, I’d like to talk to Bowie Jane. I believe my clerk asked that you have her present but not in the room at this time.”

Sandra’s attorney nods. “She’s in my paralegal’s office.”

“Does anyone object to me talking to her privately? I will have all of you, other than my clerk and Bowie Jane, temporarily disconnect from this meeting.”

Jared looks at me. “That’s fine.”

Sandra’s attorney looks at her and she seems indecisive, but eventually nods.

It takes a few moments for them to get Bowie Jane, who sits beside Sandra as the judge introduces himself over the Zoom session. He asks her, “Would you mind if you and I talked privately? Neither of your parents nor their attorneys would be with us. Just my clerk.”

Bowie Jane looks uneasy but nods her assent. “Okay.”

“I promise I’ll be quick and only ask the easiest of questions,” the judge says kindly, giving her a wink. “Okay… Mr. Cole, if you and your client will disconnect. I’m going to ask everyone in the room with Bowie Jane to step out, close the door and give her complete privacy so we can talk.”

It’s not a good feeling when Jared complies immediately by disconnecting us from the meeting. The screen goes dark and I have no clue what’s going on. I trust Bowie Jane to handle herself just fine, and I’m sure the judge wants her take on things. I have no qualms with him asking her, mainly because I know she doesn’t want to go to Singapore. She confided in me on our last call but she’s also sad to be separated from her mother.

We wait in Jared’s conference room, chatting about hockey until he receives an invite to re-enter the meeting. When we do, Sandra and her attorney are back on camera and Bowie Jane is not in sight.

“I appreciate everyone’s efforts today in providing me the details necessary to evaluate this case. There are no cut-and-dried custody issues before this court and it’s my solemn duty to look at all angles and take into account all the positives and negatives before me. Mostly, though, my duty is to the child, in this case, your lovely daughter, Bowie Jane. I will not divulge what she told me but I can tell you that what she said did not weigh into my decision at all. I merely wanted to make sure she could adjust to her life being uprooted from California.”

The judge pauses and my ears start to ring as he continues. “It is my belief that it is in Bowie Jane’s best interests not to be taken out of the country and given Ms. Tanner’s adamant assertions that she is not going to pass up this opportunity in Singapore, I’m going to award temporary full physical and legal custody to her father, Foster McInnis. Should Ms. Tanner come back from Singapore and wish this court to reconsider a change in my custodial order, I’m happy to hear further arguments. This order is in effect immediately and Mr. McInnis, I’m charging you with the cost and burden of collecting your daughter from California.”

“I’ll be on the first flight out,” I reply, so deliriously happy that I’m afraid I might bust out in song and dance.

“This isn’t fair,” Sandra screeches, and her attorney puts a quieting hand on her shoulder. She shrugs it off, leans forward and glares into the camera. “I demand an appeal because you got it wrong.”

The judge is completely nonplussed and sounds vaguely bored. “You’re certainly entitled to appeal my ruling. Your attorney knows the procedure.” Then he leans forward, bringing his face closer to the camera so there’s no mistaking he’s talking to only Sandra. “But until such time, I would strongly suggest that you follow my order, Ms. Tanner. I’m also going to include in the order that nothing about this decision is to be taken out on your daughter and neither parent is to do anything to make her feel bad or regretful about a decision that she had no control over. Am I clear?”

“We’re clear, Your Honor,” Sandra’s attorney says, pulling her back.

“No,” Judge Templeton says. “I want to hear it from your client. Ms. Tanner… do you understand me?”

“Loud and clear,” she grits out.

The judge smiles. “Good. I will email my signed order within the hour to the attorneys. We’re adjourned.”

His screen goes blank along with his clerk’s. Jared says to Sandra’s attorney, “I’ll give you a call in a bit so we can arrange transfer of custody.”

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