Austin Harris was the family law attorney I took Eric to meet. He was a tall, well-built, good-looking guy who always wore a serious expression. I had met Austin five years ago at a downtown function for local attorneys and seemed to bump into him around town at least a couple times a month. We’d have short conversations and always promise to get together for golf. Professionally, Austin Harris had a reputation as an outstanding attorney. I had referred scores of people to him, and they were all more than happy with his services. I knew he would take good care of my brother.
Austin Harris sat at his desk thoughtfully rubbing his chin after Eric told him his story. He picked up the papers Eric had given him and glanced over them again.
“So, oftentimes a petition for adoption is filed at the same time as the petition to terminate a parent’s rights. You said she wants her boyfriend to adopt Maya.”
“That’s right,” Eric said, his voice low.
“Okay, this is what’s going to happen,” Austin Harris said, leaning forward on his desk, looking directly at Eric. “The day after tomorrow, at the hearing, Jess is going to argue why your fatherly rights should be stripped. She will use the testimony of family and friends to support what she says and hope the judge sides with her.”
“It’s just a judge, then? One person that’s gonna say yes or no to me being able to keep seeing my daughter?” Eric asked.
“That’s right. Basically, she’s going to try to discredit you. You need to tell me all the negative stuff now, what’s going to look bad to the judge, so we can know how to defend against it.”
“I told you everything,” Eric said. “I was raised in the foster care system and been to jail a few times. That ain’t reason to do this to me. Is it? Take my child.”
“You were gone for more than half your daughter’s life,” Austin Harris said. “That might be her reasoning for wanting to try.”
“I couldn’t help that. I was locked up.”
“Were you paying child support? Sending any type of financial aid?”
“I told you. I was locked up,” Eric said, distraught. “And even if I wanted to, she disappeared. I had no idea where she was the last two years.”
Austin Harris stood from his desk, crossed his arms, glanced at me, then back to Eric. “You say you treated the child well. You never abused or neglected her or anything like that?”
Eric looked surprised by the question. “I would never do that. I love that little girl.”
“Good. Then that’s all they have, that you’ve been to prison. That’s how they’re going to try to take Maya. You say you’re working now? You have a job?”
“Yeah,” Eric said, pride in his voice. “At Winslow Products, in the records room.”
“Great,” Austin Harris said. “And you have a stable address?”
“Austin, he lives at the mansion with me,” I said. “And will live there as long as he likes.”
“That works,” Austin Harris said, smiling. “They’re going to try to say a man like you doesn’t deserve his daughter. In two days, we’re going to prove to them that you’re no longer the man they think you are.”