Page 182 of Halo

“Later,” he whispers.

The judge begins reading.

“Ms. Harrison identifies herself as both Grady’s classroom teacher and his paternal aunt. She states that when Grady first entered her classroom, he was struggling academically, socially, and behaviorally, and that his needs had frequently gone unmet.”

My throat tightens.

“She further states that she witnessed a significant change after Dr. Crawford became actively involved in Grady’s daily care.”

The courtroom disappears around me.

“According to Ms. Harrison, Grady became more confident, engaged more consistently with his peers, and began making measurable progress in the classroom. She writes…”

The judge pauses.

“‘I knew Grady before I knew he was my nephew. I loved him first as my student, and I love him now as my family. In both roles, I have watched him become a happier, safer, more confident child because of Nick Crawford.’”

I stare down at the table.

Of course she did this.

Of course she somehow found a way to be here without actually being here.

The judge continues.

“‘Whatever biology may say, Grady knows Nick as his father. More importantly, Nick knows Grady as his son. I respectfully ask this court to consider what removing that relationship would mean to a child who has already lost more stability than any five-year-old should.’”

I blink hard and look toward David.

He gives me the smallest smile.

The judge sets the affidavit down.

“Dr. Crawford?”

I clear my throat, but my voice still comes out rough.

“Yes, Your Honor?”

“I believe it’s fair to say you have substantial support for this placement.”

For the first time all morning, I let myself breathe.

I spend the entire drive home thinking about that affidavit.

Every damn word of it.

Leah wrote that for me while recovering from major surgery, knowing she couldn’t sit beside me in that courtroom, so she found another way to show up. She stood beside me anyway.

By the time I pull into the driveway, all I want is to get inside, wrap my arms around her, and tell her what she did to me in that courtroom.

“Darlin’?” I call as I step inside.

Nothing.

“Leah?”

I’m halfway down the hall when I hear crying coming from the bathroom.