Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
I shift in my seat, wanting to scream bloody murder. To stand up, flail my arms, and shriek at the judge that this monster is a liar, pedophile, rapist, and wife beater. I fist both hands tightly in my lap, trying to control myself; and when I steal a glimpse of Caleb, it’s clear he’s experiencing a similar struggle. Although in Caleb’s case, he probably wants to leap up there and do something so violent to Ralph, it’d make the slap he gave Trent in Billings look like a love pat.
Finally, it’s Paula’s turn to cross-examine Ralph; and the minute she rises and stares down her prey, it’s clear she intends to rip this motherfucker to shreds.
Get him, Paula, Caleb writes on the notepad.
Succinctly, I dash off three exclamation points at the end of Caleb’s note.
“You disowned your daughter when she got pregnant out of wedlock, did you not?”
“That’s not how it happened.”
“No?”
“No. I suggested she marry the father. Or someone, at least. But Claudia wouldn’t listen to me, because her whole life, her mother told her a pack of lies about me and turned her against me.”
Paula perks up. “Is that so? What kinds of lies, Mr. Beaumont?”
Ralph’s face turns red. “She implanted false memories that turned Claudia against me.”
Paula leans an elbow on the lectern. “Describe the lies and false memories for me, please. In detail.”
Genius, I write on the notepad, trying not to smirk. Now that Ralph’s stupidly brought up the topic, how will he get out of this, without having to admit his daughter accused him of raping and molesting her? Sadly, Claudia’s not here to testify to that truth herself; but at least now, the judge will get to hear about those accusations through Ralph.
“I . . . I don’t remember,” Ralph stammers, his face turning even redder. Plainly, he’s realized his mistake.
Paula persists, at which point Ralph looks at his lawyer for help, prompting the guy to leap up and shout an objection.
“He brought it up himself as fact,” Paula argues evenly. “So now, he needs to back up his allegation.”
“I’ll allow it,” the judge says. She stares down Ralph. “Answer the question. What lies and/or false memories do you allege your ex-wife implanted into your daughter’s brain to turn her against you?”
Ralph hems and haws and ultimately claims he doesn’t remember, exactly. And, eventually, the judge instructs Paula to move on to another line of questioning. The damage is done, though, if you ask me: Ralph now looks like a fucking liar.
Paula asks Ralph a bunch more questions, all of them designed to establish his lack of contact with Claudia and Raine, as well as his lack of parenting skills. And when that’s done, Paula returns to our table with a covert wink at Caleb.
“We’re done with our presentation, your honor,” Ralph’s attorney announces.
The judge trains her dark eyes on me. “Miss Capshaw? Your presentation, please.”
Shit. While I wring my hands underneath the table, my attorney smoothly rises from our table and checks his notes. He’s a smart guy whom I’ve come to trust. As we’ve discussed at length, I’m here to support Caleb’s bid for full custody of Raine and my own unlimited visitations rights, because that’s what I truly think is best for Raine. If I sense things aren’t going well for Caleb, however, we’re standing at the ready to pivot and ask for full custody for me and visitation rights for Caleb. Frankly, it’d pain me to do that to Caleb; but the most important thing is keeping Raine out of Ralph’s clutches, no matter what.
Someone fetches my first character witness, my mother, from that room down the hallway, and she proceeds to testify that I’m the kindest, sweetest, gentlest person in the whole world and the best possible guardian to Raine. She talks about her own love for Raine. The fact that Raine is part of our family. And when she’s asked about Caleb’s fitness as a father, my mother confirms he’s become a wonderful, caring, and gentle parent. One she wouldn’t hesitate to entrust Raine with, as long as our family is always allowed to be involved, too.
My attorney asks Mom a few questions about Ralph. Specifically, about his reputation in Prairie Springs and what she knows of his general character. But Ralph’s lawyer successfully shuts down most of the questions as “soliciting hearsay,” whatever that means.
Finally, my attorney asks, “What does the child call you, Mrs. Capshaw?”
“Grammy,” Mom answers proudly. “Which is perfect, because I certainly think of her as my granddaughter.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Capshaw. That’s all.”
Ralph’s attorney says he doesn’t wish to cross-examine my mother. Probably, because he’s wary of opening Pandora’s box on all the bad things my mother has heard about Ralph from living in Prairie Springs her whole life. So, in short order, it’s Dad’s turn to testify.