Chapter 23 - Noah’s final interview
The GAL met Noah one final time.
Not to ask who he loved more.
To assess schedule.
Noah said:
“I hate switching on Wednesdays.”
Why?
Soccer gear.
Homework.
He preferred:
One midweek dinner, not overnight.
Longer weekends.
Interesting.
Adults had been designing mathematical fairness.
Child wanted fewer backpack transfers.
GAL recommended:
Alternating weekends Thursday after school to Monday school drop-off.
One Tuesday dinner each week.
One extra overnight during weeks without weekend? Hmm that adds transitions. Maybe Thursday-Monday + Tuesday dinner gives ~36%. Lucas wants 40+. Could add one Wednesday overnight every other week. But Noah hates. Better extended summer and holidays makes annual ~40%.
Final proposal:
Alternating long weekends Thursday-Monday.
One weekly Tuesday dinner.
Half school breaks.
Three weeks summer split.
Some holidays.
Primary school-night base with me.
Joint legal.
Lucas accepted after thinking.
Why?
Noah asked for it.
Then Noah said something else.
“I want Dad at baseball even when it’s Mom’s day.”
Of course.
We had been treating parenting schedule like attendance rights.
Final order allowed both parents at public school/sports events absent conflict.
No territorial games.
Then he asked:
“Can Grandma come?”
Barbara?
“Yes.”
“Everett?”
Why Everett?
Noah liked his tie apparently.
I laughed.
“Everett has a job.”
Then:
“Can Dad’s mom come?”
Lucas’s mother had not been central. Sure if safe. No issue.
Family bigger than lawsuit.
Then GAL report:
Noah attached to both.
No fear.
Wants conflict reduced.
May you like
No basis to limit Lucas beyond structured schedule.
That was probably the best outcome possible.
