Chapter 22: The Memo Lines

I took the phone from the girlfriend's hand, and she sent all of it to mine before the bailiff called us.

Three videos, with the dates on them.

I did not look at my father as I put the phone in my pocket.

The courtroom was small and brown, with a flag in the corner and a clock that ran four minutes slow.

The magistrate was a woman with gray hair and reading glasses, and she looked at us over the top of them.

"This is an emergency motion on parenting time," she said. "Counsel for the petitioners, proceed."

My parents' lawyer stood up and buttoned his jacket.

He spoke for six minutes.

He said I was eighteen and impressionable.

He said an older man who held the lease on my home had influenced me.

He said Hattie had been exposed to an unsuitable household.

He said my parents were united in concern, and he said the word united twice.

"We would ask the court to suspend the weekends pending a full hearing," he finished. "The respondent's behavior speaks for itself."

"Which respondent?" the magistrate said.

"Ms. Swanson, the older daughter."

"Does she have counsel?"

"No, Your Honor," I said, standing. "I have papers."

"Papers," she said. "Go on."

I walked to the front of the room.

My hands were steady, and I was surprised.

I put the two clear sleeves on the table in front of her.

"These are copies of two checks, Your Honor. My parents wrote them in August to the man they're calling unsuitable."

The lawyer half rose.

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