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I’m not sure of the details, but for your protection and Max’s? An attorney would know the in’s and out’s of family law, and might know a loophole to help you two. Just my two cents, and I know they are expensive, but it might be best…
Sincerely,
Eric
He clicked send and waited for a response.
As he sat there, re-reading his email he’d sent her, he hesitated. It was none of his business, yet he’d thrown his own suggestions in there, like he was entitled to. Maybe he had been away from the dating scene or polite society for too long…
… Wait – dating scene?
He wasn’t dating this woman. This was a pen pal, and he needed to keep that at the forefront of his mind, instead of being the arrogant jerk that he ‘heard’ when he read that email.
“She’s never gonna write me back…” he muttered and got up from his seat, Trigger following him happily.
4
MADISON
A month later…
She stoodthere in the courtroom facing the judge and avoiding eye-contact with her ex-husband. Her mother was sitting in the distance with Max in her arms, and this was about as bad as she imagined.
“I want to get this straight, Mr. Keene,” the judge began evenly. “This is a highly unusual request being made, and I want to make sure I have it clear. You are recommending adecreasein child support awarded to Mrs. Keene, who is currently sharing custody with you.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“And at that same time? You are requesting full custody so you can have your son, that you share, be placed in a facility that will give full-time care to your child with special needs.”
“Yes, your Honor.”
“Instead of being with his mother, who is currently caring for him…?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And I suppose you have a good reason to have your son taken from his mother? Did your counsel not advise you that full custody means zero child support paid to your ex-wife? None of this makes any sense, and I expect you have an excellent answer for this request?”
Madison swallowed, feeling a tremor of fear rock down her spine.
“Yes, sir,” her ex-husband said candidly as the judge turned to her.
“And you, Mrs. Keene?” he paused, looking at the documents before him. “You are countering to keep your son’s child support at the same amount, and recommending custody remain with you and…”
He paused, looking between the two of them.
“You are requesting a protective order against your husband…?”
“What?!” Asher snapped angrily, and Madison didn’t move an inch or look away from the judge’s face. “Max needs two parents. He needs a father and a mother – and we can do that from a distance with care in place for him!”
“I suppose you have a reason, for this request?”
“Yes, sir.”
“This should be interesting,” the judge sighed heavily, and flipped through his papers before looking at the two of them. “Let’s hear it…”
* * *
An hour later,Madison was trembling with the rush of adrenaline racing through her, and about ready to throw up. She had kept herself calm for so long that, now that they were in recess… she could let the ‘mask’ slip.
