Six Months To Love: Charlotte's Redemption (11 page)

The 2011 town car was sleek and new, featuring a 239-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 engine. The chrome grill and rims were spared no expense. The windows were tinted with 35% that pushed the legal limit. The Lincoln Town Car was one of the most established automotive nameplates in America. The Town Car featured a strengthened frame, and updated mechanicals. Mr. Black spared no expense when it came to luxury or safety. In the peak of his career Mr. Black was a high profile attorney, the top in his class. Both ruthless and cold in the courtroom, he knew he was the best and chose to show it. With the show came certain danger that required the added security.

They entered the courtroom early to prepare.  Andrew immediately ran to the front with excitement. John grabbed Andrew quick as a father would to explain that the courtroom was not a place to play. In all reality, John remembered his own excitement the first time he entered a courtroom. Large and new, the smell of mahogany lingered in a room that inspired awe in any child. John knew at the age of 6 that he wanted to be an attorney just like his father and Mr. Black. That dream was short lived as his father forced law down his throat at a harsh and alarming rate; always demanding perfection and offering severe punishments when perfection was not achieved. John refused to kill that interest in Andrew.

Mr. Black advised Dax to take Andrew to the witness waiting area. Dax had a bag with him that John had Ms. Nelson pack earlier that contained snacks and Andrews favorite car toys to keep him occupied while they waited. Court was set for 10am sharp and currently that leaft them with 30 min to prepare. Courtroom 211 B was their originally scheduled room but when they had arrived Mr. Black was notified by the court bailiff that they had been moved next door due to a scheduling conflict. Judge Marion would be the presiding judge on the case. Mr. Black showed a slight annoyance in the change but nothing that didn’t outwardly show to anyone who didn’t know the man.

Approximately 20 min later the doors opened with a swoosh of force, the first to walk in was John’s father, closely followed by Magda, Alex’s mother. She wore a white pant suit form Bloomingdales and in her hair were two small roses, one white and one red. John’s rage began to build and as he stepped forward unconscious of his actions, Mr. Black grabbed his arm forcefully mumbling “not now John, not now.” John saw red and his hatred at the threat to his wife was aimed directly at Magda. The pure evil smile that spread across her soft featured face admitted it all. However Mr. Black was right, that was another battle for another day and John didn’t let things go lightly.

John’s father sneered at the two. “Where is the little brat son?”

John’s hatred dripped through every word that spit out next. “That Brat is your grandson now Father so I suggest you have a little more class and restraint when speaking of My son.”

John’s father was aghast at the news. “You married her?!” Magda slumped in her chair shocked and furious. Alex walked in with Victoria elegantly strung across his arm and stopped dead in his tracks over what he just heard.

Before another word could be said the chamber doors opened to admit a sheriff’s deputy and court reporter who immediately took her seat.

“All rise.” The statement was simple and authoritative.

The judge walked in, seeming relaxed and John noticed a slight tan, no doubts from a recent trip to Florida that he was rumored to take around Thanksgiving every year.

The judge looked at both gentleman and smirked. He too, John assumed, knew it would be an interesting day with both his father and Mr. Black in the same courtroom. Prior to this case the two men hadn’t seen each other in more than 10 years after their falling out. None the less; there they were.

“You may be seated, court is in session. Case number 231-8806, Charlotte Jackson vs. Alex Jackson in the custody of Andrew Jackson.”

“It’s now Charlotte Ranger your honor, the proper name change paperwork and recently filed marriage license was filed just this morning. The two were married Friday afternoon.” Mr. Black was on autopilot, no doubt having worked these cases before. 

“I see, convenient that your client married so close to court, which is questioning her custody on the grounds of stability.”

Mr. Black didn’t back down form the challenge placed before him by Judge Marion. Instead he gracefully answered like any well-seasoned attorney would. “Your honor, given the recent attack on my client’s life and treatments for her cancer that is being used to question my clients character and stability as a mother, my client and her husband wanted to get married while she had the energy before her next round of treatments, which I might add are working wonderfully and are expected to put her cancer in remission.”

“Watch your tone Mr. Black, don’t undermine my intelligence.” The warning was clear and Mr. Black sat down along with the others, leaving no rebuttal to follow. Mr. Black knew just how far he could push the boundary before he over stepped it.

“Mr. Ranger you may start, why is it that you are here to challenge an order set by this court before the statute legally allows?” The judge paled Mr. Ranger with stern look that showed his continued annoyance, one that surly forced him to return early form his vacation.

“My client is seeking full custody of said child after learning of a deadly stomach cancer that his ex-wife has which forces her to rely on others to care for their young son. My client is fully capable of caring for their son with no help from outside sources offering a nurturing environment with both his grandmother and soon to be step mother. The recent attack on his ex-wife also leads my client to believe that their son is in danger as he could have been hurt as well and almost killed, an action that would have tortured and devastated my client, your honor.” Mr. Ranger knew the heart strings he was attempting to play with the court. Smart and cunning, his voice was softer than usual showing urgency for the boys’ safety.

“Your honor, in no way was the young child Andrew under any harm. The boy was at school when the attack happened. While the investigation is still on-going my client can remember knowing her assailants.” Mr. Blacks gaze swept over to Alex Jackson and Victoria before continuing his statement. “My client is in treatment for her cancer and is expected to go into remission after full treatment which will be completed next month. At the risk of privacy act violation, I ask that the treatment is not a factor, only her current state.”

The judge made no remark only nodding his head in agreement. “The court will take a brief 10 min break before we resume. I want to speak with the boy, having heard the changes that brought up this urgency.”

The judge made a hasty exit without even a flinch. Magda sneered at John with pure hate, a hate that brought chills down John’s back. Her look was evil to the core and John knew that the news of their new marriage put a kink in their plan.  Mr. Black’s cell phone buzzed as he was checking it.

“Perfect Timing.” John smarted. With a look of concern Mr. Black took the call and made just as hasty of an exit that the judge had. With pure curiosity, John followed.

Alice, Mr. Black’s niece and paralegal was waiting just outside the large mahogany doors when the two men exited. In her hand she held a file and a large satisfied smile. Mr. Black however, wasn’t as happy about being interrupted during a case hearing. 

“What is the damn urgency that you had to interrupt me?”

“You’ll want to see this, it changes your case significantly and John it will change your life.” Shock was the only look on John’s face. What in the world could be in the file Alice is holding?

One look at the papers and Mr. Black turned on his heels and rushed back into the courtroom. 

After approximately 20 minutes John’s curiosity was about to kill him. He refused to tell him what was going on and what was in that file. Of course Mr. Black had a plan, but that plan didn’t involve John right now so he sat pouting like a two year old child hurt that he couldn’t know what was going to happen next. He truly wanted to trust Mr. Black but right now it was hard. Alice said it will change his life. Unless it involved Andrew or Charlotte he couldn’t imagine what could be so good to change their lives.

“All rise, court is now back in session.” The bailiff’s voice carried throughout the almost empty courtroom.

All members in the courtroom including Alex, Victoria, John’s father and Magda rose with confidence. The tension in the courtroom was high and all were curious at what Andrew told the judge about what he wanted. John wanted Andrew to choose Charlotte and him, but when Andrew asked what to tell the judge, John only told him to tell the judge what he truly wanted, that it wasn’t a choice that either his mom or John could make for him. John refused to be his father and take away life changing choices because of his own wants or needs.

“After reviewing the new evidence presented in this case and speaking with the child, the court has come to a decision. Please be advised that this decision was not taken lightly and it is purely with the child’s best interest in mind that the court finds its decision.”

“Excuse me your honor, I greatly apologize but new information was just presented to me on our recess and I would ask that it be admitted into consideration. I realize that it challenges the right to discovery and a copy will be handed to the petitioner and his counsel upon expressed permission.”

The judge simply waved his hand for Mr. Black to hand over the file and its contents. While Mr. Ranger was looking over the information, Mr. Black spoke with confidence and a stern demeanor that challenged anyone to argue.

“Your honor being handed to you is a copy of the DNA lab report that was just given to my office less than one hour ago. You will find that the petitioner’s semen was found on my client during her attack placing him directly at the scene. Though unrelated to this case, I ask that the court reconsider its decision if any changes in custody were going to be made and that the petitioner be remanded into custody immediately.”

Silence hung throughout the court. Magda was the only one to move: she grabbed her Burberry wool coat and gracefully walked out, but not before whispering to her son, kissing him on his cheek and turning a cold icy glare right at John. Her eyes spouted pure hatred. She only whispered one word to John. Dead.

Immediately John grew angry over the news, that bastard hurt his wife. That bastard tried to kill his wife. That bastard almost took Andrew’s mom away, and for what? Before John knew it he launched himself at Alex. His father grabbed him and yanked him back before he made contact with Alex. ‘You bastard, how fucking dare you! What the fuck is your problem you dirty fucking retard?”

John only stopped at one word, one voice that put him back in control and his anger in check and that voice made him cower as he felt pure embarrassment. Andrew’s.

John didn’t even see him come in and Andrew looked scared. The court bailiff took Alex into custody. Andrew was confused and scared. “Where are you going daddy? Don’t hurt my daddy, stop.” Tears fell from Andrews eyes. John grabbed Andrew and went outside. The poor child had just seen more than he ever should at his age. John only wanted to protect Andrew and at the first real chance John had as Andrews’s step-father, he failed.

Dax came up to John and simply took Andrew’s hand and placed a caring hand on John’s shoulder. He told the two to wait in the car while he checked on what was going on inside the courtroom. With his head bowed he simply said “ok.”

After close to 15 minutes Dax came out to the car. He had left it running so that John and Andrew wouldn't freeze in the snow that was beginning to fall. Dax looked to John for directions with patience.

"Take us to the hospital immediately I need to talk to my wife." John's voice had strain in it. He was happy partly since Alex would finally get what he deserved because Karma was about to dish out a slice of revenge. But part of John was still angry and confused, mixed emotions were not something he was used to dealing with. How could Alex stoop so low and for a child he didn't even want? He was no father; he was a selfish bastard that didn't deserve the air he was breathing.

"Please buckle up, the roads are slick and I would like to keep my job John." John knew that Dax was trying to keep his mind calm, at least for Andrew if nothing else. As they pulled away the snow began to fall faster and thicker. The temperature was normal for this time of year, about 16 degrees.

They drove through the stop sign about 3 blocks away from the court house. John looked to his left just in time to see Magda, she was stopped gripping her steering wheel. She looked angry and hateful, determined and pure evil. She took a deep breath and slammed her foot on the gas pedal as they began to drive past her. She crash right into them, striking the left passenger side of the vehicle between the driver’s door and the passengers’, on  John's side. Her look hung in his eyes. Cold, angry, and determined. A look of nightmares. There was no time to move, no time to react, no time to do anything but brace themselves for the incoming impact. John's only thought was Andrew, his new son, his wife's pride and joy. Protection overrode any action and with only seconds to spare he leaned over and covered Andrew out of pure instinct.