Chapter 20: Under Oath

The full hearing began on the twenty-third of November.

It was the same courtroom, and the same gray-haired judge.

Charlie was twelve weeks old, and he slept in the arms of Nate's sister in the second row.

Nate sat beside her.

He had worn the dark suit, and he did not look at me until I sat down at the table.

Then he nodded once, and I could breathe.

Carter had a new lawyer, a young man with a very expensive haircut.

Carter himself wore the gray jacket and a face I had learned to read.

It was mild and wounded, and it was aimed at the judge.

He took the stand at ten, and he held up his right hand.

"Mr. Nordstrom," his lawyer said, "why did you file this petition?"

"Because I love my son," Carter said, "and I was frightened for him."

He said it beautifully.

He talked about my exhaustion, and the empty bottles, and the morning I left.

He cried a little at the right place.

I watched two court officers look away to give him privacy.

Then my lawyer stood up.

She did not hurry.

She walked to the lectern with a thin folder, and she put on her glasses.

"Mr. Nordstrom, when did you first learn what the trust for your son pays?"

"I'm not sure I understand the question."

"January eighth, the call was logged by the trustee. Do you recall it?"

"I made inquiries about our finances. Any father would."

"Two days after your wife told you she was pregnant."

"I was excited."

"You called again in April. You asked what would happen to the payments if the mother were judged unable to care for the child."