Chapter 4 - THE EMERGENCY HEARING
Family court happened forty-eight hours later.
Ulric attended remotely from counsel’s office after release on bond with a no-contact condition concerning Esmond and me.
My petition asked for temporary guardianship.
His counsel opposed.
The judge reviewed:
Police report.
Video? There was no home camera. But 911 call captured aftermath and bat evidence. Child interview summary.
Photographs of shattered table.
My shoulder bruise.
Esmond’s palm cut.
Then Ulric’s version.
He said:
“I struck the table, not Esmond.”
True.
“I was frustrated.”
True.
“Rhydian entered aggressively.”
Maybe.
“I swung because I thought he was attacking me.”
Video absent.
My statement said Ulric swung first.
Physical evidence could not fully prove sequence.
Then the bat.
Ulric’s lawyer argued:
One explosive incident should not automatically decide permanent guardianship.
Correct.
The judge agreed.
I hated hearing it.
Still correct.
Then:
Temporary placement.
The court moved Esmond to me pending full guardianship evaluation.
Reasons:
Current safety risk with Ulric.
Child’s expressed fear.
Existing protective order.
My home passed preliminary inspection.
Not because of Tavian’s alleged nomination.
That remained unverified.
Then the judge said:
“Mr. Vale, do not tell Esmond the court has chosen you permanently.”
“I won’t.”
“Do not discuss what his father supposedly wanted beyond what the child already knows.”
I nodded.
That was harder.
Because Esmond already knew something.
Then school.
The judge specifically said:
“Maintain school placement unless safety requires otherwise or the court approves.”
I heard it.
May you like
Remember that.
It would matter when I made my mistake.
