Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
The judge strode into her courtroom on the hour. She was a Black woman of about sixty with short hair, glasses, and a deeply etched scowl that seemed permanent. After a few formalities handled by the bailiff, the judge called, “Both parties and their counsel, approach the bench.”
Padma and Charles exchanged looks, which told me something out of the ordinary was happening. Once we were standing in front of her, the judge snapped, “Are you kidding me with this?”
My chest tightened in fear, but then she turned to the Wilsons and held up a piece of paper. Their lawyer muttered, “I told you not to include that letter in your documentation.”
“I’m glad you did,” the judge said. “It saves us a lot of time. Now let’s see. On one hand, we have glowing letters in support of the child’s father, Mr. Genardi, from business owners, his professors at UCLA, and others. We also have a signed and notarized document from the child’s mother, indicating her very strong preference that custody remains with Mr. Genardi.” She pinned Mr. Wilson with a sharp glare and waved the sheet of paper. “On the other hand, we have a letter from you, stating the child should be removed from his home because his father lives with, and I quote, ‘homosexuals and other questionable individuals who might exert a bad influence on him.’ Now that’s interesting, because according to your own daughter, you’re the bad influence. Based on this letter, I’m inclined to agree with that assessment.”
Mr. Wilson sputtered and tried to talk his way out of the corner he’d painted himself into, but the judge was having none of it. She snapped, “After a thorough review of the documentation entered on behalf of both parties, I’m ready to make my ruling. Unless you have anything further to add, Mr. Wilson?”
He growled, “That boy can’t raise a child! He’s an unemployed college drop-out, and—”
“On the contrary,” Padma cut in. “As the documentation we’ve included clearly indicates, Mr. Genardi is employed as an IT consultant by Suarez Global Enterprises, which is a Fortune 500 company. He’s also enrolled at UCLA and close to finishing his degree, after taking a brief leave of absence to care for his son.”
The judge hit the Wilsons and their lawyer with another hard glare. “Unless you have anything to add, I fail to see why you’re wasting the court’s time with this pointless attempt at separating a child from his father.”
The Wilsons conferred with their lawyer, who then mumbled, “No, Your Honor, we have nothing further.”
That was all the judge needed to hear. She called out, “Full custody is granted to Logan Genardi.” Then she shouted to the bailiff, “Next case!”
The courtroom was buzzing as I turned to my lawyers and asked, “Is that it?” Padma smiled at me and nodded.
I felt dazed as I thanked her and Charles and shook their hands. Then I ran to Lucky and Owen and grabbed them both in an embrace as I exclaimed, “We won!”
Lucky said, “I never had any doubt.”
He handed me my son, and I gave Owen a hug and told him, “Let’s go home, buddy. We need to celebrate!”
There were a lot more hugs and congratulations when I joined my family, and then we all returned to the waiting town cars and drove straight to the airport. This time, the mood was lively and upbeat, and Owen beamed at us as everyone spoke excitedly.
The return trip to San Francisco passed in a blur, and before long we were back home. Kel put on some music, and Yolanda popped the bottles of champagne she’d bought in anticipation of our victory.
I treated my son to a popsicle and held him on my hip so he could dance with Lucky and me. As my boyfriend rested his forehead against mine, I whispered, “I don’t even know how I can begin to thank you. If it wasn’t for your help, that might have gone very differently.”
“You still would have gotten custody because you’re a wonderful dad,” he said. “But I’m glad I could make the process a little bit smoother for you.”
“You did so much more than that, and not just by hiring those terrific lawyers. You were there for me when I needed you most. You calmed me down and comforted me when I started to panic. You let me rant when I needed to blow off steam. You listened, and you held my hand, and you were the most amazing partner in every sense of the word. It’s no wonder I adore you, Elian.”
He held me close as he whispered, “I adore you too, mi amor.”
The party went on well into the evening. Lark and Dylan ordered dinner, and we feasted and celebrated and danced until we dropped. This was a victory for all of us, our whole family, so it was only right that we celebrated together.