Cracks in the Sidewalk(48)

Noreen took a deep breath and brushed back the wisp of hair tickling the side of her face.

“I intend to show that the loving grandmother the plaintiff’s attorney has described is actually a violent ill-tempered woman who attacked the home of my client with a sledgehammer. How can we possibly fault Jeffrey Caruthers for wanting to spare his children the agony of such exhibitions?”

Claire’s heart rose into her throat. She wanted to crawl beneath the table or, better yet, disappear entirely. Were it possible to go back in time, she gladly would have. She’d go back and grovel at the doorway begging for Jeffrey to answer. If he chose not to answer she’d back away meekly, certainly not take a sledgehammer to the door.

“The plaintiff’s attorney,” Noreen said, “has also faulted my client for the long hours he spent working to build a business that could provide the income necessary for his wife’s extravagant lifestyle. A three-bedroom bungalow was not good enough for Elizabeth Caruthers. She wanted a big house and expensive jewelry, jewelry that my client ultimately had to sell in order to provide for his children.”

Elizabeth never wanted those things, Claire wrote on a slip of paper and passed it to Dudley. He gave her a quick nod.

Noreen walked back to the defendant’s table, picked up a document, and flamboyantly waved it in the air.

“We have in our possession a notarized statement from Doctor Hans Wolfburger, a highly respected child psychologist who specializes in separation trauma. In this document, Doctor Wolfburger states that children who have been removed from exposure to a parent then returned and removed for a second time will suffer severe and long-lasting trauma frequently resulting in neurosis and a rejection complex.

“Since the Caruthers children have not seen or had interaction with their mother for almost ten months, she no longer plays a role in their day-to-day existence. To restore that relationship would ultimately force them to undergo the loss of their mother for a second time, precisely the scenario that Doctor Wolfburger refers to.”

Noreen paused and then launched into a detailed account of Elizabeth’s paralysis and blackout periods, stressing Elizabeth’s physical weakness and questioning whether it would put the children in physical danger.

“It is the responsibility of the court,” Noreen said emphatically, “to see that these questions are adequately addressed before any change is made in the custodial issues pertaining to these three minor children.”

She returned to the defense table where Jeffrey Caruthers sat with a malicious grin curling the corners of his mouth.

~

Judge Brill rapped his gavel and declared that the court would take a ten-minute recess. Once everyone returned, Dudley Grimm proceeded with his case and called Claire to the witness stand.

Claire placed one hand on the Holy Bible and swore she’d tell the truth then settled into the witness box.

“Missus McDermott,” Dudley began, “you are the mother of Elizabeth Caruthers and the maternal grandmother of David, Kimberly, and Christian Caruthers, is that correct?”

“Yes,” Claire answered nervously.

“And prior to your daughter’s illness, how often did you see those grandchildren?”

“Every day. I’d stop by for a visit in the afternoon, and I’d stay with the children when Jeffrey and Elizabeth had an evening out.”

“And how would you describe your relationship with your grandchildren?”

“Wonderful,” Claire answered promptly. “Those kids love me every bit as much as I love them. David, he’s the oldest, loves to have me read stories. He generally asks for the tales about King Arthur and his knights. Before I can finish one story, he’s already asking for another one. He’s heard the same stories at least one hundred times, but he never gets tired of listening to them.”

“What about Kimberly?”

“She was two years old when Liz first got sick, but that little tyke sure had a mind of her own. Elizabeth taught the children that they had to take turns choosing the story, and if David asked for a King Arthur story on Monday, then on Tuesday, Kimberly would insist on Goldilocks. Even though she was only two, she knew how to keep track of when it was her turn.”

“And Christian?”

“He was born after Elizabeth got sick, so I never really had the chance to spend time with him.”

“Why is that?”

Claire lowered her eyes. “Jeffrey told me to quit stopping by in the afternoon, because I was disrupting his household.”

“With Elizabeth in the hospital, didn’t he need someone to watch the children while he was working?”

Claire nodded. “Yes, but he’d rather pay Missus Ramirez to babysit than have me do it for free.”

“Were you aware of Jeffrey Caruthers’ financial difficulties at that time?”

“Yes. He’d already asked Charles for another loan.”

“Another loan? Had he borrowed money on other occasions?”

“Yes. Five times before.”

“And did your husband give him the money he was asking for?”

“He did the five times before, but not this time.”

“Was that the reason Jeffrey Caruthers no longer allowed you to see the children?”

“Objection!” Noreen called out. “Calls for speculation on the part of the witness.”