Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 91149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Jared pipes up first. “Your Honor, we believe our petition is clear that Mr. McInnis has a genuine concern for his daughter’s welfare and is vehemently opposed to her leaving the country. We’ve attached character witness statements from family, friends and co-workers, notably including Brienne Norcross, the owner of the Pittsburgh Titans. The only other thing I’ll add is that Mr. McInnis has secured a full-time nanny with impeccable credentials to care for his daughter when he is traveling and is fully prepared to accept full physical custody after the hearing today.”
The judge nods. “Anything from your client?” he asks the other attorney.
The man starts to shake his head, but Sandra elbows him in the arm, leans toward him and whispers harshly, clear enough so everyone can hear, “I would like to have my say.”
Her attorney’s shoulders sag and he makes a motion toward the camera. “Your Honor, my client would like to say a few words.”
The judge looks respectfully interested as Sandra begins what can only be termed as a rant. I keep my ears open as she talks about the injustice of choosing between a job and her daughter and how, in this day and age, she should be able to have both. But my eyes remain on the judge whose open expression shutters when she says, “I’ve been waiting my entire life for a big break like this and I deserve it. It is an opportunity I can’t and won’t pass up.”
I somehow manage not to laugh at the absurdity and when she’s done, the judge says, “Thank you, Ms. Tanner. I’ve noted your concerns.”
He then looks directly into the camera. “If neither side has an objection, I’d like to talk to Bowie Jane. I believe my clerk asked that you have her present but not in the room at this time.”
Sandra’s attorney nods. “She’s in my paralegal’s office.”
“Does anyone object to me talking to her privately? I will have all of you, other than my clerk and Bowie Jane, temporarily disconnect from this meeting.”
Jared looks at me. “That’s fine.”
Sandra’s attorney looks at her and she seems indecisive, but eventually nods.
It takes a few moments for them to get Bowie Jane, who sits beside Sandra as the judge introduces himself over the Zoom session. He asks her, “Would you mind if you and I talked privately? Neither of your parents nor their attorneys would be with us. Just my clerk.”
Bowie Jane looks uneasy but nods her assent. “Okay.”
“I promise I’ll be quick and only ask the easiest of questions,” the judge says kindly, giving her a wink. “Okay… Mr. Cole, if you and your client will disconnect. I’m going to ask everyone in the room with Bowie Jane to step out, close the door and give her complete privacy so we can talk.”
It’s not a good feeling when Jared complies immediately by disconnecting us from the meeting. The screen goes dark and I have no clue what’s going on. I trust Bowie Jane to handle herself just fine, and I’m sure the judge wants her take on things. I have no qualms with him asking her, mainly because I know she doesn’t want to go to Singapore. She confided in me on our last call but she’s also sad to be separated from her mother.
We wait in Jared’s conference room, chatting about hockey until he receives an invite to re-enter the meeting. When we do, Sandra and her attorney are back on camera and Bowie Jane is not in sight.
“I appreciate everyone’s efforts today in providing me the details necessary to evaluate this case. There are no cut-and-dried custody issues before this court and it’s my solemn duty to look at all angles and take into account all the positives and negatives before me. Mostly, though, my duty is to the child, in this case, your lovely daughter, Bowie Jane. I will not divulge what she told me but I can tell you that what she said did not weigh into my decision at all. I merely wanted to make sure she could adjust to her life being uprooted from California.”
The judge pauses and my ears start to ring as he continues. “It is my belief that it is in Bowie Jane’s best interests not to be taken out of the country and given Ms. Tanner’s adamant assertions that she is not going to pass up this opportunity in Singapore, I’m going to award temporary full physical and legal custody to her father, Foster McInnis. Should Ms. Tanner come back from Singapore and wish this court to reconsider a change in my custodial order, I’m happy to hear further arguments. This order is in effect immediately and Mr. McInnis, I’m charging you with the cost and burden of collecting your daughter from California.”
“I’ll be on the first flight out,” I reply, so deliriously happy that I’m afraid I might bust out in song and dance.