Chapter 17 - Custody Evaluation
Dr. Price’s final report ended Evelyn’s realistic custody claim.
No parental unfitness.
No chronic neglect.
No food insecurity caused by me.
No evidence my work interfered with care.
My emotional outburst was concerning but isolated, acknowledged, and addressed.
He wrote:
“The more significant risk is the repeated use of Lucy as a vehicle for resolving adult financial and relational conflict.”
There.
Vehicle.
Not child.
That sentence hurt Mom more than criminal charges, according to Caroline.
She wanted to be seen as devoted grandmother.
She probably was, in many moments.
But devotion becomes dangerous when it treats access as entitlement.
Then Dr. Price recommended:
Sole custody remains Clara’s.
No court-ordered transfer.
No unsupervised Evelyn contact presently.
Future contact only therapeutic/structured if child clinically ready.
Caroline may have gradual contact sooner if she maintains accountability and Clara consents.
No adult may discuss mortgage, court, CPS, or “where Lucy belongs” with Lucy.
Good.
Mom’s petition should have ended.
She continued.
Because withdrawing meant accepting.
The full hearing was set after criminal trial.
Then Lucy’s school held a winter family luncheon.
She asked:
“Grandma coming?”
“No.”
“Aunt Caroline?”
“No.”
“You?”
“Yes.”
She looked relieved.
Then:
“Can you eat first?”
I laughed.
“What?”
“So nobody says kids wait.”
I understood.
At luncheon I filled Lucy’s plate first.
Not as political statement.
Because she was six and hungry.
Then mine.
She ate two bites of chicken and ignored rest.
I said nothing.
May you like
Food became boring again.
That was the goal.
