How can I make sure this doesn’t happen again to Emily or any other children? The news did a report on the abduction and people will be calling the school to complain and ask what they are doing to prevent this from ever happening again. Parents should be worried about sending their children to school there if they aren’t going to follow the rules put in place to make sure our kids come home to us every day.
When we make it home, Emily heads straight to the kitchen for an after-school snack, while Damon and I talk about the next steps.
“So, Lex referred me to a lawyer.” I hand him the card. “He’s a friend of his and handles family cases. I really think even if I can’t afford it upfront, talking to someone to see what can be done would help ease my anxiety when Emily is away from me. Today was awful, and I don’t want that to be every day. You know?” I hold his hand. “I just want to be able to trust again, the school and myself.”
He offers to help with the cost, but can I let him do that? This isn’t his problem and his money shouldn’t be spent on something like this. “No, I can’t take your money. That doesn’t feel right.”
He moves closer to where he is practically inches away from my face. “Listen to me. It’s my problem too. Emily became a part of my life the day of that fire. I want what’s best for her, and that means getting a lawyer and making sure Chris can never do that again.”
I cave, realizing he’s right. There is only one other person besides my mother that I know has Emily’s best interest at heart and that is him. With this help, I can secure a lawyer and get the ball rolling on some kind of action against Chris. The sooner, the better.
Damon calls the guy listed on the paper, Randall Richmond. He wants to talk to him about the cost and get everything on that side squared away before I get involved. I know how much lawyers cost, but he didn’t want me to have to carry that burden. They stay on the phone for about twenty minutes, discussing pricing and all that jazz.
“Tessa?” Damon yells from the dining room. “He’s ready to speak with you.”
I take the phone and put it to my ear, “Hello, sir.”
“Good afternoon. I just want to see when you’re available to meet. I’d like to start getting everything together and organized for your case. Can you stop by today?”
“I’m free for the rest of the day, actually. Just tell me when.”
“Okay, why don’t you head over to my office. It’s 5804 Bell Street.”
“On my way,” I say, hanging up the phone.
Damon drives me to his office. “I’ll take Emily for ice cream and keep her busy while you get this handled. If you need anything, call me.”
For the next few hours, the lawyer and I focus on getting information together. He asks me a million questions, and I answer honestly.
“Do you have anyone that would make a statement against Chris? Just simply to confirm that he abandoned you and didn’t have contact for years? Do you have any proof of this?”
“My mother could, and maybe my old roommate. Would you like their numbers?”
“Yes, write them down on this paper, and I’ll contact them.”
If all goes well, we can file for an emergency temporary custody hearing that will put things in place until we actually go in front of a judge over permanent custody.
“If Chris contacts you, I wouldn’t mention that you’ve talked to me yet. Or better yet, just don’t answer the phone.”
When our meeting is over, Damon picks me up, and we grab something to eat on the way back to his house. I’m not going to talk about the visit in front of Emily because there is no need for her to be in the middle of her father and me.
After we finish eating, I ask her to get a shower before bed so I can fill him in on what Randall told me. Things are going in the right direction, and hopefully we can get that emergency hearing approved.
“Time will tell. You just have to be patient and let him do his job,” Damon replies with a smile and then pulls me into his lap. “Until then, try not to stress about Chris. Emily is safe with us now, and after everything that happened, he wouldn’t be stupid enough to try that again.”
His words make sense, but my mind just won’t give in. I would worry no matter what until everything was finalized.
“But for now, Emily’s in the shower and we get a couple minutes of alone time. Get over here.” His lips land on mine for a sweet passionate kiss, before breaking it and looking into my eyes. “Remember, I’m always here for you two. Never be afraid to ask me for help because you two are my life now.”