Page 47 of Protecting Christina

Rhodes attempted to present a case of a hard-working father, but my earlier photographs of him drinking with friends after work and hanging out with strippers refuted that argument. He had time. He just never made it for his wife or kids.

His lawyer also tried to show him as the doting husband after I presented diary entry after diary entry journaling the emotional abuse Faye and the children had endured. The handful of family photos his lawyer presented hardly stood up next to our evidence. It went on like that until it became clear that he would lose this case. And powerful men like him didn’t like to lose. That’s when all hell broke loose.

He slammed his hand on the desk and seemingly forgot where he was when he sneered, “You fucking cunt. I gave you everything, and you gave me nothing. You couldn’t even keep those brats under control. You’re the terrible parent, not me.”

“Mr. Rhodes!” said the judge.

“I know, your honor. Give me a minute to confer with my client.”

“I think I’ve heard enough.”

My heart leaped out of my chest.

“I am issuing emergency temporary orders that will award sole custody in this case to the mother of the children."

Faye gasped next to me and covered her mouth. I reached for her hand. “Don’t say anything,” I whispered.

“We will set a new court date to assess if these orders will be extended or replaced. But Mr. Rhodes, I suggest that if your client’s attitude does not change, I don’t see my orders changing. I expect him to seek counseling and have him assessed by an expert. Is that clear?”

“Yes, your honor”

“This is bullshit. I don’t need a shrink.”

Mr. Rhodes turned to his client and muttered something in his ear, and Faye’s husband immediately shut his mouth. That was unfortunate, as his big mouth was working very much in our favor.

We all stood up when the judge did and waited for her to exit the courtroom. As soon as she was gone, Faye turned to me and asked, “What does this mean? Do I get to keep the kids?”

I smiled. “Yes.”

“But she called it temporary.”

“Yes. But unless he can demonstrate to her that he’s changed, she won’t reverse the order. In most of the cases I’ve seen, the temporary orders stick. I won’t let you lose them. You don’t have to worry.”

Faye fell into her chair and dropped her head into her hands. Sitting down next to her, I placed my hand on her shoulder. “Are you all right?”

She cried, and her shoulders shook. “Faye?”

“Yes,” she said between sobs. “I’m ok. Better than ok. I don’t have to go home to him tonight or any other night. I’m free of him. My children are free of him. This is the happiest day of my life.”

I knew I should put my arms around her and I wanted to, I did, but my body hesitated, unsure if she would welcome my embrace. I was only her lawyer, after all.

Fortunately, her sister and the children rushed to her side and hugged her. I smiled.

Faye took the baby in her arms and held her tightly against her chest. Then, with her free arm, she pulled the other two closer.

Her sister wiped tears from her eyes. “Is it over?” she asked. After interviewing the sister in preparation for the trial, I realized how much she knew about Faye’s situation and how desperate she was for her to leave him.

“It’s not over,” I cautioned. “But I’m optimistic that when it is finally over, the verdict will be the same as today’s.”

“Do you need a ride back to the apartment?” I asked Faye.

She shook her head. “My sister will drive me. I hope it’s all right if I stay in the apartment a little longer.”

“I’m sure it is.”

“Will did say I could stay as long as I need to, but I don’t want to take advantage of his hospitality.”

“He wouldn’t have offered if he didn’t mean it. He’s a straight-up kind of guy.”

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