BOMAW 1-3 (47 page)

Again the judge nodded, making notes, then asked Shawn, "You pay child support, Mr. McPherson?"

"Yes, Your Honor, I do, every month."

"How much?"

"Two thousand a month, Your Honor."

"Any alimony?"

"I never required that he pay me alimony!" Deidre blurted. The judge looked at her without a word; she sat back in her seat, knowing he was about to send her out. All remained quiet until he spoke again. "I guess that answers that. Even so, why do you feel that overtime at a job is the priority over your daughter, when you're a single parent most of the time? I don't for a moment believe you need the extra income, Ms. Wherrington. I have a hunch that you work all the extra hours for other reasons. Reasons I will spare you right now. However, I think you need time to sort out some things…and because Angela, for the time being, is a ward of the court, I think we're going to keep her that way a bit longer."

"What are you saying?" Deidre asked, unable to sit quiet.

"I'm advising you to sort out your life, Ms. Wherrington. You have a nine year old daughter who is prisoner in an ivory tower. Surrounded, I do believe, by many things, but it is obvious those things mean little. I assure you, as well, this scenario is not new to me. I see it a lot; the victims of this type of lifestyle are children that end up in my courtroom. Some so badly messed up, one can only wonder why. We're not going to take that chance with Angela Rae McPherson. We're going to nip this in the bud now, while there's still time."

"She said her father touched her!" Deidre reminded him.

"Yes…there is that matter. To be honest with you, I believe she lied, just as she's claimed. No child experiencing that is going to run in all desperateness to it. I read the account from the previous night, and I think she struck out at him." He thought it over and then turned to Angela. "Where did such a thing come from, if not your father?" he asked her.

"A girl at school," she confessed.

"A girl at school? Explain that to me," the judge asked.

"Her father...touches her. She told us, me and Zayna. She hates going home…and one day, she didn't come back to school—she ran away. I don't know where she is now," she explained with her eyes flooding with moisture. "The police came to the school to ask a bunch of questions." She shrugged, then remembered what the judge said. "It just popped into my head because my father won't go back to my mom. I thought-I thought he was...being mean...so...so I wanted to be mean back. But I didn't mean it. I
want
to be with him. My dad always talks to me, takes me places with him. He likes my friends and they like him. We go fishing, to the movies, to the park, we laugh and talk a lot. He's so funny, my dad...and he takes me with him on his photo shoots. We do all kinds of stuff together…we have a special code, too, for when I get my report card. Wanna hear it? It's really cool," she asked brightly, sitting up, getting excited over her favorite subject, her father. The judge didn't miss it either, he smiled and nodded.

"Well, A is for Absolutely the best at a subject or class. B is for Building bridges to the best. C, I'm Contemplating being the best. D, I'm in Distant observation of the best." She stopped and giggled, Shawn was looking down at her smiling as well. Sylvia sat forward with a tender smile watching her as she explained, in awe of him and the relationship they'd obviously had as Angela went on to explain the last grade. "And F...?" this was asked by the smiling judge.

"F is a Fierce dislike for a subject or class." She smiled.

The judge chuckled. "Fierce dislike, you say?"

Angela nodded, shrinking back bashfully.

"I see." The judge nodded. "So…any Fierce dislikes?"

"Nope…I'm Absolutely, Building Bridges and Contemplating everything!" She shrunk back again and giggled.

"Good girl…good girl," he responded.

He turned to Deidre.

"Ms. Wherrington, I'm going to maintain her as ward of the court for thirty days. In that time, I suggest you find a home suitable for your daughter and yourself. You're going to also register with the Social Services and Child Welfare at home. In the meanwhile, you're going to find a new home, a different place to stay, one where she can feel comfortable returning to."

"You can't do that!" Deidre blasted.

"I can and will!"

"Well, where will she be staying?"

The judge turned to Sylvia. "Ms. Payne, you signed for the girl. Do your circumstances still allow for foster care of the child for the duration of the thirty days?"

"Yes, Your Hhonor. I don't work. I'm at home all day, she'll be fine with me."

"What is it that you do that you can be home all day, Ms. Payne?"

"I'm a writer, Your Honor. However, not yet a successful one. I'm able to stay home all day because my first husband passed away a few years ago and I'm living off of his life insurance, for the time being. I paid cash for my home and car; my furniture and things I already had. I took a portion and invested it, and another portion is in a savings account. If I hold off from touching it one more year, I will have accrued enough interest to start living off of that."

"How did he die?" the judge asked while looking over the report that came back on her.

"In a car accident. He drank, Your Honor...on and off of the wagon. He came off one time too many and wrapped his vehicle around a very large tree; the tree survived—however—he did not."

The judge nodded and read.

"You're not feeling well today? Anything serious?"

Sylvia stared at him a moment, stumped by the question. Pregnancy was very serious.

"I'm fine, Your Honor, I no doubt ate something that didn't agree with me."

He nodded. "Your report came back clean. You have two children?"

"Yes, Your Honor. A daughter and a son. They no longer live with me, they live in La Crosse. My son is going to college, my daughter is married with two sons and is going to school as well as work. She and her husband share their sons care."

The judge nodded, writing out his notes.

"Okay…Mr. McPherson, the same still stands for you. Until your things are collected, looked over to show evidence of your innocence, we have no choice but to follow it up. They are there now going through your home. What do you do for a living?"

"I'm an artist and a photographer. I do novel covers for a living...mostly romance novels. I work from home, as I've always done. Annnd, um, Your Honor…I'm going to be seeking full custody of my daughter."

The judge looked up at him. Deidre shot forward, looking around Angela at him. "How dare you! Mother said you were up to this! I should have known! You will not get my daughter!"

"Calm down, Ms. Wherrington. That is not in my hands, so I don't wish to hear the fight in my chambers. That will have to be done through the California court system, where your divorce took place. Do you understand that, Mr. McPherson? I cannot grant any type of custodies. You must acquire an attorney and file
that
where the child was born and where you two were married."

"I understand, Your Honor," Shawn stated.

"Very well. Once your things are cleared and social services has talked with your daughter, you will be notified as to whether she can be left with you alone again. As far as I can see, that shouldn't take any more than a few more days. In the instance that you are cleared, she will still, however, be ward of the court, and will continue on in the care of her foster parent until we resume back here. Until that clearance, understand me that you'll not be able to see her alone or sleep where she sleeps. We will meet back here in thirty days, unless those changes have been made before then Ms. Wherrington, and you have met with satisfaction with Child Welfare. My suggestion to you, madam, is that you remember your life is not just about you now…you must share it with your daughter, or else…perhaps give serious consideration to letting her live with her father." The judge stood from the table and said before he departed, "You both have things to sign, good day to you all." He left them then as the clerk came over, took his seat and laid out papers for them to sign. Sylvia stood, deciding to give them a moment in private and headed for the door. Angela stood to join her. "Angela, stay and talk to your mother," Sylvia pressed. She looked up and shook her head no, grabbed her hand and wouldn't let go. "I want to use the washroom," she said. Sylvia looked up from her to Deidre, who was staring at them.

"We'll be outside," she said.

"I'll be right out, babe, soon as I sign these papers."

"Shawn...you need to talk. Sign the papers, and then communicate...try it." She turned with Angela close by and left the judge's chambers.

Deidre turned away back to the clerk; unable to resist, glanced up beside her at Shawn. He looked at her and said, "We do need to clear the air on some things." He informed her and turned; started signing where the clerk directed them, as she explained what was expected of them both.

Sylvia stood looking out of the upper floor window at the traffic passing outside, snow was falling—it was better than rain. Angela was in the washroom and all she could think of was of all the things that had been taking place in the short 24-hour period. She felt weary and tired, unable to stop it, she yawned.

"Excuse me, how much longer are they going to be in there?" Georgiana approached Sylvia and asked.

She turned, surprised by her.

"Um, not much longer…there are papers to sign, they should be out shortly," Sylvia returned kindly.

Georgiana stood a moment more, staring down her nose at her.

"You know, I said I wasn't going to do this, but in view of all that he's done to our family, I think there are things about him you should know. At least by sharing the facts with you, I can sleep tonight."

Sylvia stared up at her, swallowing and dreading. "To be honest with you, I'd really rather not hear it. I think I know him pretty well," she informed her softly.

"Honey, you haven't a clue as to what you've gotten yourself into. The Shawn that he shows you, is totally different from the Shawn that I know. That my daughter knows. Just a bit of advice: cut him loose while you can still do so with your dignity intact, no matter how small that may be. You think this is over between them? This is just a game they are playing with each other. I'm certain a woman of your age and experience can imagine what I'm speaking of. Do yourself a favor and avoid the heartache. With him, it's a guarantee. I know, you see…because he was once mine...before he turned to my daughter."

Sylvia gasped.

"Don't believe me? We all know he has the cutest birthmark on the topside of his left butt cheek. Ah, yes…I know. I also know how incredibly satisfying his bed manner is; do you need me to give you his size and length as well?"

Sylvia felt her ears ringing as the room swam around her.

"Yes...now it's starting to sink in. You stay with him, there will always be one event after another. With loads of humiliation, all…heaped upon you. Again…I speak from experience."

"You were married to her father! She's your daughter!" Sylvia accused.

"He was
mine
first! My marriage is an arranged one. It's all about the money, and nothing to do with love or loyalty. I would have given Shawn anything! Oh, well...I've said enough. Do what you want, at least you were warned." She turned and walked away, smug with the seed she'd planted. She knew the lie was a gamble, but she had long ago been sure that Shawn had indeed been her lover; the look on Sylvia's face when she made personal descriptions confirmed it.

Sylvia turned back to look out the window and felt her ears burning, her heart racing.
Oh, my god, what have I gotten myself into? What have I gotten myself into?
With
her hand over her mouth, she fought back tears and nausea again.
Oh, my god, oh my god, oh my god! Nooo…Oh, what am I gonna do…What?
She had his daughter to care for, appointed to her by the court. She knew her body, and was pregnant with his baby. Suddenly she wanted to disappear. Just rush from the courthouse and never look back.
Oh, my god...he slept with her mother! And then her! Oh, my
God
!
She knew if it weren't for her having temporary foster custody of Angela, she would be gone…out the door to never look back. The urge was overpowering to do it anyway. But if she suddenly disappeared, Angela would have to be taken into foster care by the courts.
I can't do that to her...no matter how
stupid
I am, that child does not deserve to be subjected to living with strangers. What am I saying, I'm a stranger! Not the same…no—I have to stay here for her sake, if nothing else.
"…cut him loose while you can still do so with your dignity intact, no matter how
small
..."
You haven't learned anything, Sylvia Payne! Nothing at all!

*

"Can we sit here and talk for a moment? We won't be long."

"Sure you can, but make it quick," the clerk instructed, gathering all the papers they'd signed, putting them in a manila folder and leaving the room.