Chapter 18 - THE RESTAURANT BECOMES EVIDENCE
Lucinda’s defense argued the restaurant confrontation had been staged by Adeline.
She brought the children specifically to provoke Rocco.
She knew resemblance would affect him.
She wanted public sympathy.
Some of that was partly true.
Adeline deliberately came to the restaurant because she wanted to reach me directly.
She brought the boys because she had no childcare.
She hoped I would see them.
Did she know resemblance would matter?
Of course.
That did not make the bank records fake.
Then the bag.
Security video showed:
Adeline approached the entrance.
Lucinda intercepted.
They argued.
Milo held food.
Lucinda kicked the bag.
Then I exited.
No staging of the kick.
Then coins.
Why was Adeline gathering them?
She had planned to use the remaining coins for bus fare.
One officer’s body camera later captured her saying:
“We need $2.50 to get home.”
That sentence circulated online after court filings became public.
I hated that strangers turned it into a slogan.
Adeline hated it more.
She refused interviews.
Good.
The boys did not become symbols.
No fundraising campaign.
No dramatic public charity.
May you like
Child support went through lawful channels.
Privacy whenever possible.
