Chapter 7 - Noah’s version of home
The guardian ad litem was Charles Reed.
No relation to anyone else.
He met Noah at school.
Not courtroom.
Not with either parent present.
Noah was eight.
Old enough to have opinions.
Too young to decide the case.
He told Charles:
Dad was mad.
Mom cried.
Grandma came.
Dad threw pictures.
Then:
“Dad said Mom was stealing Grandpa’s company.”
That was new.
When?
“Before Grandma came.”
What exact words?
Noah said:
“He said Mom’s family was going to take his work and his house.”
Then:
“Did Dad tell you where you should live?”
“He said if Mom leaves, I stay because school is here.”
There.
Not:
Choose me.
But he had discussed it.
Then Charles asked:
“Do you want to see your dad?”
“Yes.”
“Your mom?”
“Yes.”
“Are you scared of Dad?”
Noah thought.
“Sometimes when he’s loud.”
“Has he ever hit you?”
“No.”
“Hit your mom?”
“I didn’t see.”
He had not.
Then:
“Did Mom tell you Dad is bad?”
“No.”
“Grandma?”
“She said Dad was acting like an idiot.”
Mom.
We had a conversation.
“Mom, you cannot call Lucas an idiot around Noah.”
“He was.”
“I know.”
“Fine.”
She apologized to Noah.
Good.
Then Mark? No, Lucas.
Temporary parenting expanded.
Lucas got:
One overnight midweek every other week.
Alternating weekends.
Noah returned from first weekend quiet.
I panicked.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Did Dad talk about court?”
“No.”
“Money?”
“No.”
“Everett?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
Noah looked irritated.
“Mom, stop.”
There.
I had become an interviewer.
I apologized.
“Sorry.”
Then he said:
“Dad burned the pizza.”
I laughed.
That was all.
Then Lucas’s behavior toward Noah seemed normal.
Homework.
Soccer.
Video games.
No evidence he mistreated him.
That mattered.
The corporate investigation did not become a reason to remove his child.
Then one thing did concern Charles.
Lucas took Noah to the marital home and left the divorce papers visible on kitchen counter.
Noah read:
Primary residential parent: Father
He asked what it meant.
Lucas said:
“It means maybe you live here more.”
Not appropriate.
Charles recommended:
No litigation papers accessible.
No discussing proposed outcomes.
Judge ordered both parents to keep case materials away.
I had folders at Mom’s dining table.
May you like
Mine disappeared into a locked file cabinet that night.
Fair.
