Chapter 18 - DANIEL’S DEPOSITION
I was not present.
Natalie obtained transcript later.
Elise’s attorney asked:
“Did you tell Ava her mother relinquished parental rights?”
Daniel:
“I told her Elise had chosen not to parent.”
“Did Elise relinquish rights?”
“No.”
“Did you tell Ava she could be removed from your home if she expressed interest in seeing Elise?”
“No.”
“Did you tell her courts may change custody if she reopened contact?”
“Yes.”
“How old was she?”
“Twelve.”
“Did you tell Kate that Elise had been denied contact by the court?”
“I may have summarized.”
“Was contact denied?”
“Paused.”
“For how long?”
“Several months.”
“Did you continue representing to Kate that the court had barred Elise after that pause ended?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Yes.”
Then:
“Why?”
Long silence.
“Because every time Elise came back, everything in the house changed.”
There.
Not:
Because she was dangerous.
Everything changed.
He lost certainty.
Ava asked questions.
Daniel felt judged.
Then the attorney asked:
“Did you tell Ava that Kate intended to help Elise take custody?”
“I told her Kate was cooperating with Elise.”
“Was she?”
“No.”
“Then why say it?”
Daniel:
“Because Kate had taken Elise’s side.”
May you like
I read that sentence three times.
Truth had become a side.
