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I wasn’t ready to tell Kendall about us. My relationship with my daughter felt tenuous. I was still building trust, and if I told her I was dating the woman she had befriended, I didn’t think she’d react well.
Kendall was still struggling with the move and worried about fitting in. I didn’t want to do anything to upset her.
There was no need to rush into anything. We’d been down this road before, and it hadn’t worked out. There was no guarantee this time. No matter how good it felt in the moment.
There was always that prickle in the back of my mind that warned things might not work out in the long run. Sophie’s life was here, and mine was wherever Kendall lived.
Melanie could show up and blow all my careful plans out of the water. When I registered Kendall for school, the paperwork asked if there was a custody agreement. There wasn’t, and I wondered if I should get something in writing. I wasn’t sure what my rights were if Melanie returned and demanded Kendall return to Indiana with her.
I called Colton, and he suggested an attorney’s office, Arrington, Gannon, & Winters. I trusted his judgment, so I called and made an appointment. I couldn’t make any decisions about Sophie until I had things more settled with Kendall.
The receptionist at the law office greeted me and directed me to a conference room. The office itself was clean and up-to-date. The walls of the conference room were covered with pictures of the Baltimore football team at various charity functions.
There was a news article about a charity, Kids Speak, that was created by one of the partners, Hadley Winters, and supported by the entire firm. Before I could read more about it, a woman with dark hair and fair skin entered the room.
“Mr. Walters? Avery Arrington. Nice to meet you.”
I shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, as well.”
She gestured at a chair. “Have a seat so we can go over your custody situation.”
Once Avery was settled in her seat with a legal pad in front of her, I said, “I was in the military for ten years. During that time, Kendall resided with her mother, Melanie. When I was discharged, Melanie said it was my turn to raise her. She gave me permission to move Kendall here, which is my hometown.”
“Where was Kendall living previously?”
“In Indiana. I have her birth certificate indicating that I’m her father.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll make a copy of it, since it establishes paternity.” Avery held her hand out for the certificate.
“No problem.” I handed the birth certificate over to her.
Avery left the room, and I tried to relax.
I hadn’t worried too much about it when I was enlisted because I provided child support, and Melanie always allowed visitation when I was on leave. There had never been a need to clarify things any further than that. Now I was regretting that short-sightedness.
Avery smiled at me when she returned. “Since there’s no formal custody agreement between you, both of you have equal rights to take Kendall whenever you want.”
That was comforting and concerning at the same time.
“It would be better to have something in writing, outlining who has physical custody and who has legal custody, in other words, who can make the legal decisions, where to enroll her in school, what doctor to take her to, and so on.”
“I’m not in contact with her, but I can reach out.” I’d texted Melanie when I settled in Annapolis, but she hadn’t asked for any updates since. I was a little worried that asking for something formal would upset her. Would it prompt her to return?
“I’m sure you’re worried about upsetting the balance, and that’s understandable. But in the long run, it’s better to have something in place. Otherwise, Melanie can return at any time and take Kendall. You’d have no recourse other than to pursue something in the courts at that time, and the process is lengthy. It’s best to start now.”
“If filing for custody prompts Melanie to get involved, would a judge grant it to her since Kendall lived primarily with her for the first nine years of her life?” This was my greatest fear. The reason I hadn’t insisted on something more concrete when I moved Kendall here.
“It’s a possibility, but it’s more likely that you can work something out with Melanie where you could share custody.”
I wasn’t sharing anything right now. I was one hundred percent involved in Kendall’s life, and I liked it too much to risk losing it.
“I know things seem ideal, but there’s nothing stopping Melanie from taking Kendall back. She could move her out of state, and you would have no recourse. You’d have to follow her.”
When I was first discharged, I wouldn’t have minded moving wherever Kendall was, but now? I had other things to consider. Like Sophie. My parents. My hometown. I liked living here. What would I do if Melanie moved her back to Indiana? I had no connections there. No friends.
My chest felt tight.
Avery clasped her hands together on the table. “You came to me for legal advice.”
