Two weeks later, Annabelle informed Jamie that the petition for custody would be served. On Wednesday when Jamie went to pick up Garrett, Ms. Wendy informed him that Garrett was sick and hadn’t come to school. Then Jamie showed up at Zoe’s house, but no one answered.
He wasn’t surprised. This coming weekend was hers, and so he didn’t expect see Garrett until after the next court date, but he’d make sure the judge knew she was being difficult.
On Monday, he and Bethany were holding hands when they got to Annabelle’s office. He wanted to give her secretary the photo he printed for her, but she was out, so Jamie left it on her desk.
Annabelle was exiting her office. She had her phone in one hand and was yelling at whoever was on the other end. She slammed the phone down on the counter.
“You okay?”
She nodded. “Not a good day for my secretary to call in sick. Come on, I don’t expect this is going to be a happy visit.”
“Why not?”
She looked at her watch. “We’ll talk and walk. We’re going to be late.”
She looked between him at Bethany when she spoke. “Did you really slap Zoe?”
Bethany flushed. “Yes. She was hurting Garrett.”
“Regardless, that was a stupid move. She’s going to bring it up to the judge. You better have a good story. Also, I should’ve heard that from you, not Zoe’s attorney.”
“Sorry.”
When they entered the courthouse, Bethany broke away. “I’m going to go get a water. Do you want one?”
“Yes. Annabelle?”
“No, thank you.”
Jamie watched Bethany walk away.
“You guys are pulling it off well, you know.” Annabelle clutched at her briefcase.
“What?” Jamie took his eyes off Bethany and met Annabelle’s.
She gave a forced smile. “The happy married couple thing.”
“Oh, yeah. She makes it easy.”
Annabelle scowled. The court doors opened, and they took their places at the table. Bethany joined him before Zoe arrived. Zoe wouldn’t look at him.
The judge entered, and without so much as a how do you do, she zeroed in on Jamie.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you back in my courtroom so soon, Mr. Green. Why on earth would you petition for full custody after just receiving visitation.”
Jamie stood up and met her eyes. “Your Honor, I believe that Zoe’s home is not a good environment for Garrett. Ray smokes in the home, they don’t require him to wear a seatbelt, and Zoe is aggressive with him. Not only that, but Ray has exposed him to pornography. I worry for his safety.”
“Where is your proof?”
“Only what I’ve witnessed.”
“You better be telling the truth. I would find it hard to sympathize with a man who would want to take a child from his mother for no reason.”
Jamie sat down, feeling a little chastised, but still glad he was fighting for Garrett.
Zoe’s attorney stood up. “Mr. Green is exaggerating. But that is beside the point. My client expresses concerns with his visits any way. He comes home whiny and tired. Mr. Green has a dog that nearly attacked him, and his wife physically assaulted my client. We counter petition that Mr. Green be revoked his visitation.”
“Do you have proof?”
“No, Your Honor, only the testimony of my client.”
The judge looked back and forth between the two of them. “Not good enough. You petition is denied. But, Mrs. Green, would you please explain.”
Jamie nudged Bethany, and she jumped up.
“I’m sorry. Yes. I slapped Zoe when she hurt Garrett. I worried for his safety.”
The judge shook her head. “Very well. We will allow the officers of the courts two months to gather evidence. We will reconvene on July seventh. A couple of other matters first. Zoe, you must allow Jamie to see Garrett. If I hear any more reports of you denying him his rightful visitation, he will go live with Mr. Green until final custody is determined. And Mr. Green, you employ an Andres Fletcher?”
“Yes. That is correct.”
“Any evidence collected by him or any other private detective will be inadmissible. Court dismissed.”
Jamie took a deep breath. That wasn’t as horrible as he expected. Except all the evidence he had on Zoe was collected by his PI Annabelle would have to be more resourceful.