Chapter 26 - The last review
Leo was ten by then? We are maybe around 11-12 months after death; if birthday happened maybe he turned ten. Prompt no age, we chose 9. Could keep him nine if under year. Let's keep him nine; maybe birthday was just before Rachel died? Hmm gaming console birthday implies he turned 10. We can allow 10 within one year. User says don't age to adulthood. Fine. Mention ten maybe.
At the final review, Leo was ten.
Still carried the teddy bear sometimes.
Pretended he didn’t.
Marcus requested:
One overnight every other weekend.
One weekday dinner.
Holiday schedule by agreement.
No guardianship authority.
No decision-making authority.
Just contact.
I requested:
One overnight monthly for three months, then expansion if stable.
We were not far apart.
Dr. Porter recommended:
Every other weekend overnight could be appropriate given successful progression and Leo’s strong preference, but two-night weekends should wait.
Judge Ellis looked at us.
“Do you need me to rule?”
I looked at Marcus.
He looked at me.
I said:
“No.”
We stepped outside.
Agreed:
Every other Saturday overnight.
One weekday dinner when school permits.
No two-night weekends yet.
Review privately after six months.
No court filing unless conflict.
Holiday time negotiated.
Marcus said:
“Christmas morning?”
I said:
“No.”
His face tightened.
Then he nodded.
“Afternoon?”
“Yes.”
Progress.
We returned.
Judge incorporated agreement.
Then she said:
“The court’s active guardianship-contact review is concluded unless a party files a proper motion.”
Done.
No dramatic gavel.
Outside, Marcus stopped me.
“Sarah.”
“Yes?”
“I hated you.”
“I know.”
“I thought Rachel picked you because you made her afraid of me.”
“I know.”
“I was wrong.”
I waited.
Then:
“She picked you because she trusted you to separate Leo from the money.”
“Partly.”
“And I proved why.”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
No argument.
Then I said something I had not planned.
“You were good to him for years.”
His eyes filled.
“That does not undo the insurance.”
“I know.”
“And the insurance does not erase every bedtime story.”
He looked away.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t make me regret it.”
He laughed once.
Then we left separately.
That evening I told Leo:
“No more regular court reviews.”
“Good.”
“Marcus gets Saturday overnights every other week.”
“YES.”
“Indoor voice.”
“No.”
Normal.
Then:
“Can I bring Mom’s bear?”
The teddy bear had originally been Rachel’s childhood toy.
“Of course.”
He ran upstairs.
I stood alone in Rachel’s living room.
Same room.
No casket.
No flowers.
No relatives.
No vibration.
May you like
Just a sofa, a lamp, and homework on the coffee table.
For the first time, the room belonged to the living again.
