Chapter 19 - THE TABLET
Forensic expert testified in deposition.
Mother’s tablet:
Scan created from my field-trip form.
Signature cropped.
Consent opened.
Image inserted.
File saved.
Then a second document:
Draft declaration of Theron.
My name at top.
Text:
I have accepted employment requiring relocation and believe it is in Ione’s best interest to remain temporarily with Melisande.
I never wrote it.
Signature not inserted yet.
Mother said she drafted language she hoped I would sign later.
Possible.
Then file date:
Two days after she had already filed the forged consent.
Not innocent drafting.
Then notes application.
Mother wrote:
Need order before Cedar Vale start if possible.
Another:
Once school stays same, judge will not want move midterm.
But my start date was after school year.
She knew.
Another:
If Theron returns early, do not let him undo room before photos.
I had returned unexpectedly one day earlier than planned.
That was why I caught the driveway sale.
If I had returned on schedule, more photographs would have been taken.
Maybe school address request would have progressed.
Maybe Mother would have moved Ione to condo.
Then one note:
Sabine can say she believed house transition agreed.
Sabine saw that line during deposition.
Her face collapsed.
Mother had planned her testimony too.
Sabine looked at her lawyer.
Then said:
“I’m done protecting her.”
There.
Not redemption.
Choice.
She agreed to testify at hearing.
Then Mother’s counsel requested withdrawal.
Mother refused.
The case would go to final hearing.
At this point it was no longer about winning guardianship realistically.
It was about what record would remain.
Had I abandoned Ione?
Had Mother reasonably protected her?
Or had Mother manufactured consent to stop a father from taking a job that would make him more present?
May you like
Those findings would follow us.
I wanted them clear.
