Chapter 23 - EUDORA’S HEARING
Mother’s lawyer began with love.
Photographs.
Videos.
Birthday cakes.
Zoo visits.
Hospital waiting rooms during Ainsley’s treatment.
Mother tying Sorrel’s shoe.
Mother asleep on my couch while Sorrel slept on her shoulder.
All real.
Then attorney asked:
“Did Eudora provide care after Ainsley died?”
Yes.
“Did Sorrel seek her?”
Yes.
“Did Bramwell allow overnights?”
Yes.
“Did Bramwell abruptly stop all unsupervised contact after the campsite?”
Yes.
“Has Eudora completed therapy?”
She had attended.
“Has she apologized?”
Several times.
Then:
“Would losing her cause grief?”
Dr. Lila said:
“Potentially.”
Mother’s side looked strong.
Because love existed.
Then my side.
Campground witnesses.
The tent.
Real grandchildren get the tents.
Garrick’s:
He isn’t blood.
Mother’s:
Choose that boy and don’t bother coming home.
Then older texts.
Ainsley’s warnings.
Mother’s comments about “other grandchildren carrying the family.”
Then after DNA:
He is ours after all.
The contrast was devastating.
Mother’s lawyer tried:
“She learned new factual information.”
Naomi answered:
“Kindness to a child should not depend on genetic information.”
Then Mother testified.
“Did you love Sorrel before the DNA result?”
“Yes.”
“Did you treat him equally?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I resented Ainsley.”
“Did Sorrel cause Ainsley’s conduct?”
“No.”
“Then why punish him?”
“I told myself I wasn’t.”
There.
Then:
“Did you collapse his tent?”
“Yes.”
“Did you intend him to sleep outside?”
“No.”
“Then why say it?”
“To humiliate Bramwell.”
Again.
Sorrel used as route to me.
Then:
“Do you still believe blood makes him more your grandson?”
Mother froze.
This was the question.
She answered:
“Biologically, yes.”
True.
Then:
“Emotionally?”
Long pause.
“No.”
Better.
Then:
“Would you love him less if tomorrow a lab corrected the result?”
Mother cried.
“No.”
Naomi waited.
Mother added:
“I know I acted as though I would.”
That mattered.
Not enough to guarantee access.
Enough to show some insight.
Then the court heard my own evidence the next day.
My family message.
Mud.
My refusal to know paternity years ago.
May you like
I would not leave as spotless parent.
That was right.
