Chapter 7 - THE FIRST PAPER
The Temporary Kinship Care Consent had been prepared by a lawyer named Elise Harper.
Elise represented Eudora in estate-planning matters.
She did not represent Tessa.
The document itself was not sinister.
It allowed parents, if they wished, to authorize a relative temporarily to:
Pick up a child.
Communicate with pediatric providers.
Consent to routine non-emergency care where permitted.
Travel locally.
Provide temporary residence.
It did not transfer custody.
It did not terminate parental rights.
It did not make Brielle June’s mother.
It could be revoked.
Elise’s cover email said:
This should be signed only voluntarily by both parents after independent review. It is unnecessary if Tessa and Daniel do not want a temporary kinship-care arrangement.
Clear.
Why did Eudora have it?
Because she asked.
Why Brielle?
Because Eudora proposed her.
Why ninety days?
“Postpartum stabilization.”
Elise wrote back:
I do not recommend describing ordinary postpartum recovery as incapacity. Please do not use this form to substitute for parental consent regarding residence.
Clearer.
Eudora printed only the form.
Not the cover email.
Then Brielle brought it to Tessa the day before the shower.
“Just emergency access.”
Tessa read page two.
Temporary residence.
“No.”
“Daniel thinks it’s smart.”
“Did he sign?”
“No.”
“Then no.”
Brielle’s face hardened.
“You’re making everything harder.”
Tessa folded the document.
May you like
Put it in her handbag.
That was why Daniel saw it at the hospital.
