Chapter 20 - The visit through glass
Marcus began custody six weeks later.
Leo asked to visit once.
I did not want him seeing a jail.
Dr. Porter said:
“Your discomfort is not the same as harm. Prepare him.”
The facility used video visitation rather than glass.
We scheduled.
Marcus appeared on screen in standard jail clothing.
Leo stared.
“You look weird.”
Marcus laughed.
“Thanks.”
“Do you sleep there?”
“Yes.”
“Is food bad?”
“Pretty bad.”
Then:
“Are you here because of Mom?”
Marcus’s face changed.
“No.”
“Because phone?”
“Because of what I did before the phone.”
Good.
Then:
“Did Mom hate you?”
“No.”
“How know?”
“I don’t.”
Honest.
“She was very angry with me.”
Leo looked down.
“I’m angry too.”
“You can be.”
“Will you come home?”
Marcus paused.
“I’ll get out. I don’t live at your house anymore.”
Leo’s eyes filled.
“My house.”
“Yes.”
“Mom’s house.”
“Yes.”
Then:
“Your room still there?”
“No. Sarah helped pack my things.”
Leo looked at me.
I nodded.
Marcus said:
“I have a new apartment.”
“Can I see?”
“When the court says it’s okay.”
No promises beyond authority.
Visit ended after twenty minutes.
Leo cried in the parking lot.
Then:
“I still love him.”
I said:
“You’re allowed.”
He looked furious.
“I know.”
Of course.
Then First Ridge funded initial house repairs.
Roof leak.
Furnace.
Not glamorous.
Trust money used for beneficiary’s housing.
Documented.
No guardian dipping into cash.
I submitted receipts.
They reimbursed approved expenses.
Tedious.
Good.
Then Keystone paid $750,000 into Leo’s trust.
Statement.
Investment allocation.
Cash reserve.
No bag of money.
No instant spending.
Marcus’s business sale closed fully.
His remaining personal debt $52,000 became structured loan.
He could handle on salary after release.
May you like
The motive was dead.
The relationship question remained.
