The Lives of Genius

by Auburn Red

AU What is it like to grow up in a genius family? Meet Stuart and Farkle Minkus at various ages throughout the years.

21. Trials of Life

The Lives of Genius
Boy/Girl Meets World Fanfic
By Auburn Red

Chapter Twenty-One: Trials of Life (Stuart Minkus Age 35-36; Farkle Minkus Age 13-14)
Author's Note: The conversation between Jennifer, Cory, and Topanga about Shawn from "Girl Meets Farkle" is a little earlier than in the actual timeline. Instead it is during her and Stuart's reconciliation period in the summer of Farkle's seventh grade. (The reason I included it was because I felt in these circumstances its pretty crucial evidence of Jennifer's inability to accept personal responsibility, plus I questioned it myself. I mean seriously, "Ha ha! I committed a crime against your best friend, but it was because you were afraid of me! Wasn't that funny?" At least it gets a pass because Cory gives her a look like "I can't believe you're bringing it up like that.") David Clark, the prosecuting attorney, Dr. Wilcox, Jennifer's psychiatrist, and Judge Boyer are original characters.

Minkus looked over the fact checking provided by T.J. Murphy over his former wife's interview. He was quite fascinated that T.J. came through for him. He not only poked holes into Jennifer's claims by referring to her hospitalization stays and child abuse report, but also did some research on Edward Bassett's media contacts revealing that Melody Starr was a member of one of Bassett investment's multimedia conglomerates. It was almost incestuous how tight Edward's contacts were with the family. He sent the reporter a gracious email thanking him for his research and also to Cory and Topanga for contacting him.
While T.J.'s fact checking certainly poked holes into Jennifer's portrayal as a loving mother and wronged wife, he wondered if it would be of any use during the custody trial. He hoped at least it would shed some light in his and Farkle's favor.
"Yo Stuart," Lonny Overton called.
Minkus looked up to see Lonny leaning over Minkus's cubicle. "What is it, Lonny?" he asked.
"Some lady wants to talk to you," the software designer said. "Said she's Ms. Bassett."
Minkus rolled his eyes. What could Jennifer possibly want now? He stood up and saw the front of their office where an older woman waited patiently.
"Eunice," Minkus said in surprise. He cleared his throat. "I mean Mrs. Bassett."
"Please you may still call me Eunice," the older woman said. She was visibly pale and looked around as though she were being followed. "I don't have a lot of time," she said. "May I speak to you alone?"
"Sure," Minkus said confused. He led her to his private desk and invited her to sit across from him.
Eunice slid two wrapped gifts across the desk to her former son-in-law. "These are for you and Farkle. I hope you two have a Merry Christmas despite everything."
Minkus accepted them with some reluctance. "They don't tick do they?" He asked dryly.
Eunice gave a thin smile. "No, they're perfectly harmless." She looked around. "I love what you have done with this office. Business seems to be going well."
"As well as can be expected," Minkus said. "Eunice not to be rude, but what are you doing here? Your husband made it perfectly clear that I was no longer to have anything to do with the Bassett family!"
"I'm not here on behalf of my husband or my daughter," Eunice said. "I came on my own. How's Farkle? I haven't seen him since before he- well before-"
'-Since before his suicide attempt," Minkus said cagily. "He's adjusting. He's at school, right now."
"I'm sorry for everything that has happened," Eunice said. "I'm sorry for what my husband and my daughter have done to you and Farkle. No matter how much they may justify it, it's not right. I just ache when I think about what she did to that boy."
"You believe me," Minkus said stunned. Eunice nodded so Minkus continued. "Eunice, did you know how Jennifer treated Farkle while we were married?"
"I had a feeling that something was going on," Eunice replied. "I tried to deny it, but yes I knew. Deep down, I always knew."
"Did you know what I was getting into when we got engaged?" Minkus asked.
"I guess I hoped that you would change her," Eunice said sadly.
Minkus wanted to be angry with this woman but he couldn't deny it. "I guess I did too." He stood up and gave his former mother-in-law a quick hug.
"You were very fortunate to get out when you did," Eunice sighed. "After a few years you no longer notice the harsh words and criticisms, you ignore them. They don't wound you, instead they just remain like scars and calluses that are ugly to look at but no longer painful. It doesn't hurt you when the children that you once tried to shield from the anger and cruelty no longer turn to you. Instead they turn away from you towards the other parent, the hurtful one. Those children whose tears you once washed away and protected from monsters see you as the weak and foolish one, the one who is worthy of your spouse's derision and anger. They accuse you maybe of not protecting them, but of being just a stone to step over. They no longer have any love for you or anyone. Those children that you loved and nurtured no longer feel or understand love. They only know pride and ownership. That's what hurts you."
Minkus held onto Eunice's hand understanding what she was saying. "Eunice, I am so sorry. I am so sorry for Jennifer too."
Eunice shook her head. "It doesn't excuse what she did. Did you have a happy childhood?" Minkus shook his head, so Eunice continued. "You were able to be a better parent. She isn't. That makes all the difference."
"Eunice, why don't you leave?" Minkus asked. "You can get out too."
Eunice shook her head. "What would I know? I have been married for over 40 years, since I was 20. Women's Lib completely skipped me by. It's too late for me, but it's not too late for you or Farkle. At least that I can be grateful."
Minkus nodded understanding. "Eunice, if you want to, you can come and see Farkle anytime."
Eunice smiled with tears in her eyes. "Really you would let me?"
Minkus nodded. "Yes, it would be nice for Farkle to have a least one grandparent in his life."
Eunice smiled and laughed. "I would like that." She looked at her watch. "I'd better be going. Edward will start to miss me." She turned away then turned back to her son-in-law. "I just want you to know that not everyone in our family hates you and no matter what the outcome of the trial, you will have at least one supporter among the Bassetts."
Minkus smiled and thanked his former mother-in-law before she left.

He thought for a minute and then decided to dial Morgan's cell number to wish her a Merry Christmas. He sent her a gold rose necklace as a gift. He wondered if she was alright since things had been frosty since she called before the interview. Was she even coming up to New York?
He dialed her number. "Hello?" He could hear her voice.
"Hi Morgan its Stuart," Minkus said.
Morgan's voice sounded strained. "I can't talk to you right now, remember. We can't see each other anymore!"
"I know but there's nothing that says that we can't be friends," Minkus suggested.
"No, Stuart," Morgan said. "We can't even do that, I'm sorry! Thank you for the necklace but please don't send me anything anymore!"
"Are you coming up for Christmas?" Minkus asked.
"No, I have to mind the store," Morgan said. "I'm sorry. Stuart just-what we had was nothing! It wasn't anything special, I told you! Let's not make it bigger than it was!" She hung up before Minkus could talk again. Minkus stared at the phone in thought. Morgan had once again blown him off. How did she go from being so approachable and loving to being so terrified and worried? What happened to her? Maybe it was about time he took Cory's advice and asked Josh Matthews, their youngest brother.

Joe Willis, the RA, called Joshua Matthews' dorm number. "Josh, there's some old guy here to see you. I think he's your dad."
"Thanks Joe," Josh said through the phone. He came downstairs, but instead of Alan Matthews he saw Stuart Minkus. "Minkus? What are you doing here?" He asked.
"I want to talk for a minute," Stuart said.
Josh turned to Joe. "It's okay; he's a friend of my brother's." He said before he left with the CEO.
Minkus however was a bit miffed by the RA's earlier comment. "Do I really look old enough to be your father?"
"No, I mean you're like what, 40?" Josh asked.
Minkus glared. "I'm 35, the same age as your brother!"
Josh shrugged. "I thought he was 40!"
Minkus sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. It was painfully obvious that Josh was a Matthews brother. "Out of curiosity how old do you think Eric is?"
"I don't know 50," Josh guessed.
Stuart figured that he had better get to the crux of the situation before he found out how old Josh thought his parents were. "Alright, I wanted to talk to you about Morgan."
Josh paled. "Morgan who?"
"Morgan your sister," Minkus started.
"Oh that Morgan," Josh nodded.
"Yes that Morgan," Minkus said. "Around the same time that Jennifer was being interviewed, she said that she couldn't see me or speak to me anymore. I tried calling her a couple of times but she wouldn't return my calls or answer my texts or emails."
Did something happen to her?"
"I'm not at liberty to say," Josh said.
"I just want to be sure that she's okay," Minkus said. "I'm concerned about her. Is she upset about the publicity? Reporters haven't been bugging her have they?"
"Not reporters," Josh said. "Look I'm not at liberty."
"So she is getting bothered by somebody," Minkus said understanding the unspoken implication in Josh's words.
"No, I'm not at liberty!" Josh half-shouted. "If you called Liberty, I wouldn't be there!" He calmed down before he continued. "Look, Minkus, if Morgan didn't tell you, I can't. If you want to know what's wrong you'd better ask her."
"I tried," Minkus said. "She won't give me a straight answer."
"Okay," Josh said. "Something happened to Morgan over Fall Break. Someone hurt her. I think she's trying to deal with it in her own way. That's all I can tell you. Minkus, she's my sister. I don't want her to get hurt anymore."
Minkus shook his head. "Neither do I."
Josh held his breath. "Then maybe you ought to stay away from her. At least for now."
Minkus couldn't find any further answers so he turned around and walked out of the dorm building into the freezing December night.
When Josh was certain that Minkus wasn't in ear shot, he dialed his sister's phone number. "Yeah he asked me….No, I didn't tell him anything!...Look, Morge you deal with this your own way but don't push away someone who really cares about you….I'm not talking about me, Sis."

"All arise," the bailiff announced. The audience rose as the judge, an older gray haired man entered. The bailiff continued in a bored voice. "This court is now in session, the honorable Judge Gilbert Boyer presiding." Judge Boyer banged on his gavel and ordered the audience to be seated. "Will the prosecution call their first witness," Boyer asked as David Clark, a dark haired handsome attorney stepped forward.

"The prosecution calls Jennifer Bassett-Minkus to the stand."
Jennifer rose and held up her right hand as the bailiff asked "For the record please state your name and occupation."
"Jennifer Elaine Catherine Bassett," Jennifer emphasized. "I have recently gone back to my maiden name; Socialite."
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
"I do," Jennifer answered as she sat back down.
The prosecuting attorney, David Clark stood up to face her. "Ms. Bassett could you tell the court the circumstances of how you met with Mr. Minkus?"
Jennifer nodded. "It was fall of 1999, about early November, I believe. My father said that he wanted to finance Stu- I mean my former husband's company. We attended the same high school and university, but did not officially become a couple until the night of Minkus Technologies' launching party."
"This was the original Minkus Technologies later to become Minkus International now Meese International," Clark said. "The company that your former husband was the CEO and in which he had been removed."
"Yes sir," Jennifer said. My family felt that he had no business being CEO because he had beaten me."
"Objection," Rosemary said. "Irrelevant, those domestic violence charges had been dropped based on no evidence."
"Overruled," Judge Boyer said.
David Clark continued to question the woman on the stand. "How would you describe your early marriage to Mr. Minkus?"
"Tense as the rest of it," Jennifer said. "We had moved to New York and I didn't know many people. I felt like I was nothing more than a trophy wife."
"Did your husband ever beat you or drink?" David asked.
"No, but he could be rather verbally cruel," Jennifer said.
"How so, Ms. Bassett?" David asked.
"Well in August 2001, when I attended a party with Mamie Van Houten, my former husband dragged me off and told me that I had embarrassed him. He also ordered me to go home."
"Had he argued with you in public since?" David Clark asked.
"Yes in Christmas 2007 at the Minkus Office Party he had spent too much time with one of his employees, a female at that. When I challenged him about it believing that he had an affair, he told me that I was making much ado about nothing and that I needed help," Jennifer said.
"You attacked me," Stuart rose from his seat challenging his ex-wife's account.
"Mr. Minkus you will get your chance," Boyer banged his gavel. "Let her speak."
"Mrs. Minkus, how would you describe your relationship with your son?" David Clark asked.
"Distant through most of his life," Jennifer answered honestly.
"The same son that you wish for custody," Clark prompted.
"Yes, my former husband had monopolized his time, turned him into a genius in his own image, and in effect turned my own son against me," Jennifer said.
"I did not!" Minkus argued again.
"Mr. Minkus," the judge said. "I don't want to have to tell you again. If you don't sit down, you will be held in contempt of court."
"You told Melody Starr that your former husband and I quote 'suggested that you have an abortion' when he learned you were pregnant," Clark asked.
"Yes that's true," Jennifer replied.
"Would you say his behavior towards your pregnancy was ambivalent then?" Clark inquired.
Jennifer nodded. "Very much so. He was very unhappy and showed a lack of enthusiasm for the baby."
"Ms. Bassett," David Clark asked. "When your son showed signs of being a genius, how did you react?"
"I was pleased," Jennifer stated. "He could read almost as soon as he could talk and could count on his fingers before he was two. What parent wouldn't be happy about that?"
"How did your former husband react?" Clark asked.
"He was jubilant," Jennifer said. "He was glad to see his son inherited his exceptionality. I believe that was a slap at my perceived 'unexceptionality.' "
"Objection," Rosemary said. "She is speculating the meaning of Mr. Minkus' comment. It could have had other meanings."
"Sustained," Boyer agreed.
"Your former husband almost immediately enrolled him in a pre Kindergarten enrichment program did he not, Ms. Bassett?"
"Yes, he did. From the time that Farkle showed signs of genius, he spent most of his time studying or attending classes," Jennifer said.
"Ms. Bassett, you admitted that your relationship with your son is distant," Clark said. "Why do you wish to obtain custody of him?"
"I'm his mother," Jennifer said. "I gave birth to him. I breast fed him so he could be close to me. I provided a beautiful loving home for him while his father was out all hours working. I'm his mother. I need no more reason than that."
"No further questions, your honor," Clark sat down.

Rosemary's turn came next. "Ms. Bassett, you alluded to the Christmas party of 2007 when you said that your husband accused you of making much ado about nothing, but you left out some important details."
"Objection leading the witness," Clark argued.
"Sustained," Boyer agreed.
"I apologize your honor," Rosemary said. "But Ms. Bassett is it true that earlier that week you had been arrested for driving under the influence?"
"Yes," Jennifer agreed.
"And is it also true at that self-same party you referred to, you attacked your husband with a knife in full view of several employees of then-Minkus International?"
"I had a drinking problem," Jennifer argued. "That's no secret."
"After you had been arrested from this party were you or were you not institutionalized and further diagnosed with 'borderline personality disorder'?" Rosemary asked.
"Yes but I have been medicated for it," Jennifer began.
"Answer the question were you or were you not diagnosed with borderline personality disorder?" Rosemary asked.
"Yes I was," Jennifer replied.
"Do you still have a drinking problem, Ms. Bassett?" Rosemary asked.
"No, I do not," Jennifer answered.
"Are you still considered mentally ill?" Rosemary asked.
"No," Jennifer said. "I have been stabilized because of my medication."
"How long have you been sober?" Rosemary asked.
"Four months now," Jennifer replied.
"Did you have a drinking problem in August 2001?" Rosemary asked.
"I don't recall," Jennifer hedged.
"Did you have a drinking problem in August 2001 when you attended Mamie Van Houten's party, the self-same party where you claimed that your husband dragged you off and told you that you embarrassed him?," Rosemary asked.
"I established that I had a drinking problem," Jennifer said testily.
"Objection," Clark said. "I fail to see the relevance in this situation since it was before the minor, Farkle Minkus, was born."
Rosemary turned to the prosecuting attorney and the judge. "I am establishing a characterization of Ms. Bassett, your honor."
"Sustained," the judge said.
"How long have you had your drinking problem?" Rosemary asked.
"I don't know, off and on probably over 15 years," Jennifer counted.
"And you became sober four months ago, you stated, Ms. Bassett," Rosemary asked.
"Yes, that's true," Jennifer answered.
"Do you really think that four months is long enough to recover from a drinking problem that has lasted longer than your son has been alive?" Rosemary challenged.
"I have had help with it," Jennifer said. "In the past, I have quit cold turkey and was unsuccessful. Since I have returned from rehab, I no longer have the desire to drink."
"Ms. Bassett, charges have been filed against you for child abuse," Rosemary began.
"The sentence was lifted after I completed my rehab," Jennifer answered.
"Of course but Ms. Bassett do you recall the events of September 15, 2015 after those charges had been filed against you and you then in turn filed charges against your former husband," Rosemary asked.
"Yes," Jennifer said testily.
"Where was your son during that time?" Rosemary asked.
Jennifer was silent so Rosemary asked again. "Where was your son during that time?"
"At Mt. Sinai Hospital's intensive care unit," Jennifer answered.
"What was he doing there?" Rosemary prompted.
"He had attempted suicide," Jennifer said reluctantly.
"Right, now Ms. Bassett, where were you during this time?"
Jennifer looked straight ahead at the defense attorney. "I was in fear of my life! My son had been driven to suicide! My father advised that it wasn't best to be with him-!"
"Ms. Bassett," Rosemary interrupted her. "I ask again, where were you when your son was in the hospital recovering from an attempted suicide?"
Jennifer looked downward. "I was at my family home in Rochester." She continued hastily. "But I was worried about him! I thought he was dead!"
"Yet you didn't call the hospital or your former husband to find out," Rosemary said. "Instead you crawled inside a bottle!"
"Objection leading the witness," Clark argued.
Rosemary turned to the judge. "No further questions your honor."

"The prosecution calls Dr. Gregory Wilcox to the stand," Clark said.
Farkle's eyes widened at the name. Why did the name Greg sound familiar? He saw the man announce his name, occupation, and vow to tell the truth. He was a tall man with long thick black hair right above his shoulders. A memory entered Farkle's mind: I can't wait to run my fingers through your long black hair. His mother spoke to a lover on the phone several months ago, a lover whose name was Greg and had long black hair, just like this man! Could this be him? Farkle was so caught up in the recall that he nearly missed the line of questioning.
"Please explain your relationship with my client, Jennifer Bassett," Clark said.
"She was my patient at the Rochester Mental Health & Addiction Treatment Clinic," Dr. Wilcox stated. "I was her primary psychiatrist."
"What was her condition when she first arrived?" David asked.
"She wasn't well," Greg said. "She had a severe drinking problem and had very strong emotional disorders, hovering between rage and depression. I believe she even spoke of suicide."
"That sounds terrible," David said. "How was she treated at the clinic?"
"We use a myriad of different styles," Greg replied. "Some of it is cognitive therapy and we also use medication. With Je, I mean Ms. Bassett, we used a great deal of talk therapy and started her on regular doses of lithium."
"What were some of the things that you discussed, Dr. Wilcox?" Clark asked. Wilcox opened his mouth to say something, but Clark interrupted him. "Please remember that you are under oath, so doctor-patient confidentiality is a moot point."
"Well Ms. Bassett spoke greatly of her isolated feelings from her husband and son," Dr. Wilcox began. "She also spoke what she wanted to accomplish in her divorce."
"So she had a plan after she had been released?" Clark said.
"Yes of course," Dr. Wilcox said. "That is something that we encourage all our patients to work towards: having some sort of goal or plan to achieve once you have been released whether it's finding solid employment, taking a vacation that they have wanted to take, or others. It gives the patient something to look forward to."
"For the court's benefit can you explain what some of the symptoms of 'borderline personality disorder,' the diagnosis that Ms. Bassett had been given during her first hospitalization in 2007?" Clark asked.
"Let's see," Greg Wilcox considered. "There is a charming superficiality, the ability to manipulate others, a very emotional, possessive, and violent nature, a tendency to self-destruct-"
"Yes yes and so on and so forth," David Clark continued. "Would you have said that Ms. Bassett exhibited any of those symptoms when she was under your care in the months between September to November 2015?"
"Once she had become sober, I would say no," Wilcox said.
"So you're saying that her biggest obstacle was actually excessive drinking which has been treated and not being mentally ill, which would require further treatment in your professional opinion?" Clark asked.
"She is still seeking treatment for the drinking and still seeing a psychiatrist, namely me on a regular basis," Wilcox said.
"So her status has been downgraded to an outpatient status?" Clark asked. "She is able to go out into the world and be with others."
"Absolutely," Wilcox answered. "She has made fine progress and is able to accomplish all of her goals."
"So if her status has downgraded and she has made fine progress then in your definition should she be permitted to have primary, if not sole custody of her son, Farkle J. Minkus?" Clark asked.
"Yes, I believe so," Wilcox replied.
"No further questions," Clark said.

Rosemary stood up holding a form. "Dr. Wilcox, you said that Ms. Bassett has made fine progress and you authorized her release from the Rochester Clinic. How did you base this observation?"
"She was cooperative, helpful, and was willing to accept responsibility towards herself and others," Greg Wilcox replied.
"How was she willing to accept responsibility?" Rosemary asked.
"She said that one of her goals was she wanted to be a better woman and a better mother," Greg replied. "She had accepted that she had been rather 'a bit short-tempered' with her son and that she wanted to change."
"So towards the end of her stay you had observed no misconduct and no difficulties that would cause her stay to be extended beyond the 60 days?" Rosemary asked.
"Nothing," Greg answered. "I would have reported it if there had."
"Yes you would have," Rosemary said as she opened the file. "Are all staff and personnel required to put in writing any difficulties with patients particularly any that question their release?"
"Yes that's a requirement from all staff from the custodian all the way up to the district manager," Dr. Wilcox said.
"Is the review board supposed to take into account these written reports and decide from them whether the patient should be released or be required further hospitalization?" Rosemary asked.
"Yes, that's correct," Dr. Wilcox said sounding a bit tense.
"Your honor," David Clark said. "I fail to see the relevance of repeating the Human Resources Handbook of the Rochester Clinic. It's clear that Dr. Wilcox understands the protocol of his own profession. It is a waste of the court's time and my client's."
"Please indulge me your honor," Rosemary said. "I would like to call Dr. Wilcox's attention to some interesting evidence of which he should be aware."
"Proceed, Ms. Welles," Judge Boyer prompted.
"Dr. Wilcox is it or is it not true that one of your attendants whose name has been withheld filed a disciplinary report towards Jennifer Bassett less than two weeks before the date of her scheduled hearing to determine her release?" Rosemary said.
"I have not heard anything about it," Dr. Wilcox said.
"Well then there is no harm in you hearing it for the first time is there," Rosemary said. She opened the file and read out loud. "The attendant writes that Ms. Bassett had physically and verbally attacked her. She said and I am quoting from the report, 'she drew blood on my arm and called me names that I cannot repeat on account of being a Christian woman.' Does this report sound out all familiar to you, Dr. Wilcox? Had you received it before Ms. Bassett's hearing?"
"No, I did not," Dr. Wilcox said.
"Do you know anything about this encounter between Ms. Bassett and the attendant?" Rosemary asked.
"This is the first time that I have heard of it," Greg answered.
"Did any of the other personnel on the Review Board call the report to your attention?" Rosemary asked.
"As I said this is the first time that I had heard about it," Dr. Wilcox said.
"Your honor it's pretty clear that Dr. Wilcox had not heard about this written report against Ms. Bassett prior to the hearing so it has no basis whatsoever towards her eventual release," Clark said bored.
"I agree," Judge Boyer said. "That will be enough on this matter, Ms. Welles."
"Dr. Wilcox, did you work at Bellevue Hospital in the years between 2004-2007?" Rosemary asked.
"It's on my resume," Greg answered. "Of course."
"So you were present when Jennifer Bassett was hospitalized the first time in fact you assisted in her treatment?" Rosemary asked.
"I served in a junior capacity at the time yes," Greg answered. "I worked there during my residency."
"But you observed her behavior and wrote in an earlier report, 'Ms. Bassett is an attractive and charming woman, however she can be very manipulative and emotional. It is best to proceed with caution."
"Yes I wrote that," Greg replied.
"Then a few weeks into this hospitalization, you wrote that she is quite charming and shows no outward symptoms of borderline personality disorder," Rosemary asked. "Some of your notes in Bellevue towards Ms. Bassett continue in this manner spoken in an almost admirable tone."
"She has a resilience and strength of character along with her very obvious charm," the psychiatrist said.
"I also have a written report from the Rochester Clinic that you specifically requested to be Ms. Bassett's primary. Is that true?," Rosemary asked.
"It is not uncommon for a patient to be comfortable seeing a doctor that they had a prior acquaintance," Dr. Wilcox answered cagily. "Jenn I mean Ms. Bassett opened up because of our history together."
"Earlier you stated that among the symptoms of borderline personality disorder are superficial charm and a manipulative personality. Is it entirely possible that you yourself had been fooled by Ms. Bassett's personality during your residency at Bellevue?"
"Well I was young then-" Dr. Wilcox stuttered. "BPD had only been considered a mental illness in the past few years. It's a very tricky one to diagnose and tricky to treat the patient."
"I can see that coming from a resident," Rosemary said. "But is it also possible that Ms. Bassett remembered your devotion to her during her previous hospitalization and managed to charm you yet again?"
"I am a seasoned professional," Greg Wilcox said.
"Is it possible that you either ignored or even covered up the report from the attendant at Rochester so that Ms. Bassett could be released," Rosemary said.
"That would be highly unethical," Dr. Wilcox interrupted.
"You were Ms. Bassett's primary," Rosemary said. "Whether she would be released would have been dependent upon your opinion. Ms. Bassett as you stated is an attractive charming woman. Did you maneuver the hearing at Rochester Clinic in her favor, yes or no?"
"I didn't have anything to maneuver," Greg Wilcox protested. "The attendant had been removed from her job after the altercation had taken place!"
Rosemary asked. "You mean the attendant whose name I did not even give? The one who filed a report that you claimed that you heard for the first time as I read it here in court? So how would you know what had happened to this attendant if you hadn't heard about her report beforehand?"
Greg Wilcox looked stymied. Farkle sickly looked over at his mother's direction. The way that she looked at the psychiatrist told Farkle that he wouldn't be calling her any time in the near future or ever. Farkle almost felt sorry for him. "Well uh-I-"
Rather than let Greg continue the humiliation, Rosemary looked towards the court. "No further questions."

"The prosecution calls Elizabeth Harper-Chastain to the stand," Clark said.
Libby appeared in front of the courthouse and swore to tell the truth saying her name and occupation as "realtor."
"Ms. Chastain, how long have you known my client Ms. Bassett?" Clark asked.
"Since we were in high school together," Libby replied. "She's one of my best friends."
"Will you say that you have observed a great deal of the Minkus marriage and their relationships with their child?" David asked.
"Of course," Libby replied.
"How would you describe it?" David asked.
"Toxic," Libby answered. "They were constantly sniping at each other or talking badly about one another when the other wasn't around."
"How did Farkle fare in this toxic environment?" Clark asked.
"He spent a great deal of time either in his bedroom or hanging out with his friends," Libby replied. "Of course who could blame him?"
"Would you say that the toxicity was because of one of the parties more than the other," Clark asked.
"Yes I would say that," Libby answered.
"Which party?" Clark asked.
Libby paused for emphasis. "The father, Stuart Minkus."
"Was the marriage in the same manner that Ms. Bassett described fraught with how did she put it-"verbal cruelty?' "
"Absolutely," Libby said. "I saw much of it myself especially around the time of Ms. Bassett's miscarriage."
"For your honor's indulgence," Clark translated. "This was in March of 2010 when Ms. Bassett suffered a miscarriage of her second child." David hesitated. "Why does that time strike you as particularly unhappy?"
Libby continued. "Well for one thing, Mr. Minkus took the opportunity to tell her that they could always try again."
"Some would call that reassuring," David remarked.
"Not the way he said it," Libby remarked. "It was less of 'it's okay, honey' and more of 'you failed so let's do it again.' "
"Objection," Rosemary said. "Speculation."
"Sustained," Boyer continued.
"Were there signs of strain afterward," David inquired.
"Absolutely, sir," Libby replied.
"How so?" David asked.
"Mr. Minkus spent more time at work and less time with his family," Libby replied. "Jenn-Ms. Bassett was often depressed and in mourning for her lost daughter and he didn't care."
"So do you think that Mr. Minkus is a fit parent?" David asked.
"No, I do not," Libby answered.
"No further questions, you honor," Clark replied.

Rosemary faced the realtor. "Ms. Chastain, how far would you go to protect a friend?"
"Objection," Clark said.
"Sustained," Boyer answered. "There will be enough of your shenanigans, Ms. Welles."
"I'm sorry your honor," Rosemary continued. "But Ms. Chastain, there have been recent allegations against you towards real estate fraud."
"It was settled out of court," Libby declared.
"Objection irrelevant," David argued.
"I am revealing the witness' character," Rosemary said. "And pointing out a potential link between the witness and the prosecution."
"Objection overruled," Boyer replied. "Proceed Ms. Welles."
"Ms. Chastain, was it true that one of your legal advisors for this settlement was Eugene Bassett, cousin of the plaintiff, Ms. Bassett?" Rosemary inquired.
"In a very small capacity," Libby answered.
"Were there any discussions towards this trial?" Rosemary asked.
"A few private comments," Libby replied. "Just shared sympathies here and there."
"Shared sympathies of course," Rosemary nodded. "And in sharing those sympathies, did you happen to mention the plea deal that was made between yourself for a settlement on your charges if you agreed to be a witness for this trial?"
"Like I said this custody trial came up," Libby replied.
"So in getting yourself off a lesser charge did you agree to get your friend, Ms. Bassett off as well?" Rosemary asked.
"Objection leading the witness," Clark replied.
"No," Libby said. "I did this because Jennifer is my friend."
"Overruled," Boyer said.
"No further questions," Rosemary answered as she sat back down.

"For the record please state your name and occupation."
"Dana Pruitt-Livingstone, Secretary John Adams High School, Philadelphia."
David approached Dana and began to ask her. She was clearly very thin and possibly sickly. She jumped in surprise as Clark began his questioning. "Ms. Livingstone, like Ms. Chastain, you have been friends with Jennifer Bassett since high school correct?"
"Yes sir," Dana said. She practically gulped a glass of water.
"And you have had plenty of chances to observe the marriage between her and her former husband?"
"Absolutely," Dana replied.
"Would you agree with Ms. Chastain's account that the relationship was and I quote 'toxic, particularly from Mr. Minkus towards his former wife, the current Ms. Bassett?"
Dana looked confused at the question. She glanced nervously at the prosecution chair and stammered before answering. "Is the question too difficult for you to answer?"
"No sir," Dana said nervously. "I mean yes sir! I mean yes it was very toxic sir just like Ms. Bassett and Ms. Chastain said!"
Dana began to breathe in and out practically hyperventilating before Clark continued his line of questioning. "When Ms. Bassett suffered her miscarriage in March 2010, did you see an increase of toxicity?"
"Her miscarriage?" Dana asked as though she had never heard of the word. "I mean yes of course. After the baby had left, they weren't happy. I think of it as the time when I knew things were going to end between them."
"Why is that, Ms. Livingstone?" Clark asked.
"Because Jennifer li-uh I mean lost the baby and she and Mr. Minkus withdrew further from each other," Dana said. "It's one of those things you just know."
"No further questions," Clark said.

"Ms. Livingstone, have you told the court the entire truth?" Rosemary asked.
"Yes of course I have," Dana answered.
"This is not your first time in a courtroom is it, Ms. Livingstone?" Rosemary asked. "It is your first time from the witness stand. But you were once an attorney, almost district attorney correct? You were disbarred. Would you care to tell the court as to why?"
"I had an addiction to speed," Dana replied. "I was caught with some in my purse."
"Ms. Livingstone," Rosemary said. "You are currently in a rehabilitation program in Philadelphia not only for the addiction but for an eating disorder correct?"
"Yes Anorexia Nervosa," Dana answered. "I had been having these problems for a long time. They have increased ever since my husband and I lost money during the Recession."
"But you and your husband are working now, but not in Manhattan?" Rosemary prompted.
"Yes," Dana answered. "He sells insurance and I work as a secretary in Philadelphia. We, my husband, my children, and I live near my parents. They have helped us quite a bit."
"Have your relationships and your health improved?" Rosemary asked.
"They're getting there," Dana answered.
"Objection," Clark said. "While I applaud Ms. Livingstone's decsion to seek treatment, I fail to see the relevance in this line of questioning towards Ms. Bassett and Mr. Minkus."
"I am trying to uncover some of Ms. Livingstone's character," Rosemary said.
"Sustained," Boyer answered.
"Ms. Livingstone, in your time as an attorney surely you know the penalty for perjury," Rosemary asked.
"Yes I do," Dana replied.
"Did you commit perjury just now?" Rosemary asked. "When you were asked about the status of the Minkus marriage, did you commit perjury?"
N-no," Dana asked.
"Objection," Clark said. "Badgering the witness."
"Sustained," Boyer agreed. "Rephrase the question, Ms. Welles."
Rosemary approached Dana in a "between us girls" pose. "Ms. Livingstone, you have been in rehabilitation, surely it must have taught you that to begin a new life you have to end your former patterns. Are you still holding onto some of those former patterns? Are you telling the complete truth?"
Dana paled and swooned before she leaned closer to the microphone. "No, I am not."
"Which parts have you lied about Ms. Livingstone?" Rosemary asked.
"All of it," Dana said. "Mr. Minkus had never been anything but kind to Ms. Bassett. It was she who hurt him, not the other way around. She would often threaten him or manipulate him into buying her things especially after-" Dana broke down into tears.
"-After her second pregnancy, Ms. Livingstone?" Rosemary asked.
Dana shook her head through her tears. "She was never pregnant, the second time. I was there when the OB-GYN treated her! There wasn't a baby on the ultrasound! It was a phantom pregnancy and she got the doctor, Libby and I to go along with it! She used us and she used Stuart!" She sobbed, "I am so sorry Stuart! I am so sorry Farkle! I am so sorry that she hurt you and I helped her!" She continued to cry as Rosemary told the judge that there were to be no further questions. The bailiff and Dana's husband Ethan Livingstone helped the hysterical Dana move from the witness stand and exit the courthouse.

"The prosecution calls Samantha Russo-Amano to the stand!" David Clark said.
Stunned, Stuart looked at the woman that he hadn't seen in years! Sam's hair was shorter in a bob cut and she looked more slender than she had before. She was still dressed very businesslike in a black outfit. Stuart would have done a double take before he recognized her.
"For the record please state your name and occupation," the bailiff said.
"Samantha Joanne Russo-Amano, Development Manager Playstation, Tokyo, Japan," Sam answered.
"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you?" the bailiff asked.
"I do," Sam answered. Sam sat down as Clark began to speak.
"Ms. Amano you worked at Minkus International November-January 2007-2008 where you designed the concept for the video game, the Goddess Wars, correct?"
"That's correct," Sam answered. She clearly didn't like being called up. She looked very nervous and uncomfortable.
"You worked directly under Stuart Minkus?" Clark asked. "How was your working relationship?"
"It was very encouraging," Sam answered. "He gave me a lot of space to create the game and I was able to work with it."
"That was your professional relationship," Clark began. "How was your personal relationship?"
"Well um he was a good friend and a mentor in many ways," Sam replied.
"Do you recognize the plaintiff, Jennifer Bassett, Ms. Amano?" Clark asked.
"Yes she's Mr. Minkus' former wife," Sam said.
"Did you ever have any encounters with her before?" Clark asked.
"Yes at the Office Holiday Party in 2007, she believed that her husband and I were having an affair and she attacked me," Sam answered.
"Did she say anything?" Clark asked.
"She said 'stay away from my husband, you slut!'" Sam recalled.
"Was she by any chance justifiable in that claim?" Clark asked.
"Objection leading the witness," Rosemary interrupted.
"Sustained," Boyer said. "Please rephrase the question, Mr. Clark."
"Did you have any feelings beyond professional for Mr. Minkus?" Clark asked.
"Well," Sam began. "We kissed once!"
"So would you say that goes beyond being a good friend?" Clark said.
"No, it was just an infatuation," Minkus said. "I felt something but it was never repeated!"
"Are you married now, Ms. Amano?" Clark said.
"Yes of course," Sam replied.
"Is your marriage happy?" Clark asked.
"Well why don't you ask, Ken, my husband since he's sitting over there in the front," Sam pointed to the smiling Japanese man sitting in the front row giving his wife a thumbs up. "Yes I would say so."
"How would you feel if your husband had kissed another woman that he worked with," Clark said. "Wouldn't you react with anger? Wouldn't you feel the anger was somehow justified?"
"Maybe," Sam said. "But I wouldn't attack the other woman in front of several people! No matter what Mr. Minkus and I did not justify what Ms. Bassett did to me or to him! Nothing would have ever justified that!"
Clark then removed himself from the witness stand. Rosemary then stood. "I have no questions your honor." Judge Boyer invited Sam to be seated.

Cory stood at the blackboard in front of his students as he read one of the four names that he had written. "Alfred Dreyfuss, what do we know about him?"
"The dude that played Mr. Holland?" Zay asked.
"No that was Richard Dreyfuss," Cory corrected. He pointed at another name. "Sacco and Vanzetti, what do we know about them?'
"Made leather purses?" Maya asked.
"Try Dolce and Gabanna," Cory added. Before he could ask about the other names "The Salem Witches" and "The McCarthy Hearings," and receive more sarcastic comments (probably about the latest found footage film and the trial against the clown, Ronald no doubt), Cory continued with his point. "What these names all had in common were they were famous trials in which the people in them were considered guilty less based on evidence and more because of public perception." He pointed at Alfred Dreyfuss's name. "Alfred Dreyfuss was believed to be railroaded through his trial because of Anti-Semitism. Many believe that Sacco and Vanzetti were executed not because they were guilty of their crime, but because they were immigrant Socialists in a time when both were held under public scrutiny. The women and men who were found guilty in the Salem Witch Trials were either outspoken independent women, town outsiders, or had made enemies of the powerful people in the village. Those who were brought before Senator Joseph McCarthy were accused of being Communists based on some of the flimsiest accusations. In all cases these were considered miscarriages of justice."
Maya raised her hand. "Then don't these cases prove that justice doesn't always work?"
Cory pointed at his daughter's best friend. "Justice is imperfect. Unfortunately sometimes good and innocent people are put to prison and sometimes bad people often walk. How can we challenge the courts and find real justice?"
"Pay attention to the evidence," Riley suggested.
"Listen to both sides and make a decision fairly," Lucas said.
"Trust those who are being tried and believe in them," Farkle said knowing that it was not coincidence that Cory chose this particular lesson in this particular time.
"Above all see beyond the fear," Cory said pointing at the names. "The people on this board were tried because they were seen as an enemy. They had a different religion, came from a different place, had different politics, or just were considered odd or eccentric. Based on public fears of Judaism, Anarchism, Communism, and Witchcraft, many who were innocent lost their reputations, their livelihoods, and in some cases their lives. Through the writings and public perceptions that people had, their societies had created their own monsters. In trying to rid their societies of the elements that they believed were destructive, those that tried them proved to be even more destructive. In later writings on the Salem Witch Trials Cotton Mather wrote, "In our own anger and hatred, did we in fact bring the Devil to Salem Village ourselves?"
"How can we ever expect there to be any justice?" Farkle asked.
"By telling the truth and looking at the evidence," Cory said. "If you do that, then all of the accusations, and bad reputations can be challenged. In the end, justice will win."

Rosemary Welles stood to face the court. "The defense calls Stuart Minkus to the stand."
Stuart then approached the bench and raised his right hand swearing to tell the truth and stated his name and occupation, "Stuart Nathaniel Minkus, CEO Minkus Technologies."
Rosemary approached her client. "Mr. Minkus how would you describe your relationship with your son?"
"I love him," Minkus said. "We're very close. We always have been. Ever since he was born, he has been a light in my eyes. He's the best part of us."
Rosemary smiled. "How would you describe your relationship with your former wife, Ms. Bassett?"
"It was as she described it tense," Minkus said. "No, that's an understatement. I would describe it as abusive."
"Abusive towards your wife?" Rosemary asked.
"No, abusive towards my son and myself," Minkus answered.
"Was the abuse physical, verbal, or sexual," Rosemary asked.
"Predominately verbal and psychological," Minkus answered. "Though sometimes it became physical, if I challenged her."
"What type of things would she do that you considered psychological abuse?" Rosemary asked.
"Jenn- my former wife used to spend our money to the point where I had to file bankruptcy when she told me that she was pregnant," Minkus said.
"How did you get out of bankruptcy," Rosemary asked.
"Ed- Mr. Bass- my former father-in-law provided the money to pay our debts provided I would make him a partner in my business," Minkus replied.
"Some would question how you consider that psychological abuse," Rosemary said.
"It is when I found out later that my former wife had planned on getting pregnant without consulting me so her father could be a partner. That's when I made the connection," Minkus answered. He hesitated before he wanted to bring it up. He made sure that he told Farkle about it. Surprisingly, the teen didn't take that revelation as bad as he did when he learned his father suggested an abortion. Maybe Farkle had been through so many revelations through this trial that he was becoming numb to them.
A loud murmur fell over the courtroom as the judge banged on his gavel. "Order in the court, I will have order! Order!"
"How would you describe the conception then if it was without your consent?" Rosemary asked.
"We had been using birth control up until that night," Minkus answered. "That night she didn't use any."
"Did you question this odd change in pattern?" Rosemary asked.
Minkus shook his head. "No, she had a lot to drink that night and had experimented with cocaine. I attributed it to that."
"Just to clarify, this was the same night as the Van Houten's party that your former wife alluded to in her testimony," Rosemary said.
"Yes Ma'am," Stuart answered.
"How did you find out about the ulterior motives towards her pregnancy?" Rosemary asked.
"She told me months later," Minkus said. "Actually she bragged about it."
"How was your former wife's relationship with your son?" Rosemary asked.
"She didn't get along with him," Minkus replied. "She repeatedly verbally abused him. She often called him names like 'nothing' and was often envious of the time that I spent with him. She complained that 'he got the best of everything and she didn't.' "
"Is that true that your wife didn't get the best of everything?" Rosemary inquired.
"Not a bit," Minkus said. "I bought her gifts, gave her my credit cards and cash whenever she wanted. There wasn't anything that I wouldn't have given her."
"When your son recovered from his suicide attempt, did he ever state any disagreements or arguments he had with his mother preceding the event?" Rosemary asked.
"Yes he did," Minkus answered.
"What did he say?"
"He said that his mother told him that she wished that he was never born and that it would save everyone the trouble if he had just killed himself," Minkus answered.
Rosemary waited until the surprised murmuring around the courtroom died before she began her next line of questioning. "What were you doing while your son was recovering from attempted suicide?"
"I was with him in the hospital until the day he was sent home," Minkus said.
"You had been recently removed from your position as CEO of your former company, the one that your father-in-law had been a partner," Rosemary asked. "Would you have said your financial status was good then?"
"I would say so," Minkus replied. "It was seven figures."
"Since you have been removed you have started another company, a smaller one which does not have quite the same figures as the previous one," Rosemary replied.
"That's correct," Minkus answered.
"Why the change?" Rosemary asked. "After all there is quite a wide gap between the money you made then and the money you make now."
"Well my former father-in-law didn't give me much of a choice, now did he?" Minkus asked dryly.
"But if he had, do you think that you would have stayed with them?" Rosemary asked.
"Objection," Clark said. "Speculation."
"Sustained," Boyer answered.
"Mr. Minkus, when your wife was taken for intervention, the conditions were that you would not challenge your removal and that you would allow your in-laws to keep their shares of your former company, shares that you had every right to sue for. Why didn't you?" Rosemary asked.
"It was more important to me that I keep my son," Minkus said. "I didn't want to challenge my dismissal if it meant that I couldn't have Farkle in my life."
"Why do you want to keep your son, now?" Rosemary asked. "Your wife has been in rehab. Do you think that she could change that she perhaps deserves another chance?"
"I have given her over 15 years of second chances, I don't think I can give her anymore," Minkus said plainly. "I love my son but I do not want to take the risk that she hadn't changed. That's too big a risk for his life. He's been through enough as it is. I want to provide a stable comfortable life for him where he could grow to become the happy loving man that I know he could be."
Rosemary nodded. "No further questions."

David Clark stood next to Minkus. "Mr. Minkus, you said that you didn't want to risk your son's life if your former wife hadn't changed."
"Yes, that's what I said," Minkus replied.
"But you did risk it," Clark asked. "If the marriage was as bad as you said, you could have left any time."
"I had my son," Minkus began.
"Objection," Rosemary argued.
Overruled," Boyer said. "Continue your line of questioning Mr. Clark."
"Mr. Minkus how long would you have described your marriage as abusive?" Mr. Clark asked.
"Since my wife was pregnant with Farkle and I studied the signs of a person in an abusive relationship," Minkus answered. "I answered all of the symptoms point by point."
"So over 14 years," Clark answered. "In that time, it never occurred to you to divorce your wife? The woman you claimed verbally and psychologically abused you?"
"I felt that it wasn't right to leave my son without a father," Minkus replied.
"You could have taken your son with you," Clark said. "But you didn't. It never entered your mind did it?"
"Objection leading the witness," Rosemary argued.
"Overruled," the judge continued.
"No one asks why an abused wife doesn't leave her husband," Minkus said. "No one thinks her strange if she doesn't. She stays to protect her children, because no one would believe her, or a myriad of other reasons. All of those reasons applied to me. On top of those reasons, I was afraid of exactly what is happening now. That I would be seen as the abuser rather than her, because I am a man and nearly everyone assumes that all abusers are male!"
"Come on Mr. Minkus," Clark said. "You were not some young high school dropout on welfare with nowhere to turn but a battered woman's shelter. You were a multi-millionaire CEO. You had resources at your disposal. Don't tell me that you couldn't have packed up and left one night."
"Her family controlled my company," Minkus said.
"And there's the rub," Clark said. "Is it possible that you didn't leave because it wasn't true that neither you nor your son were being abused or is it possible that you enjoyed the financial benefits too much? Not until that status was removed, did you consider breaking ties with your in-laws. To you were the money and status that you received marrying a Bassett more important to you than the life and safety of your child?"
"Objection leading the witness," Rosemary argued.
"Overruled," the judge said. After a tense silence, the judge prompted, "Answer the question, Mr. Minkus."
Minkus looked at Clark severely. "Nothing is more important to me than my son. I stayed in the marriage because I thought that I could protect him. I wish I could give you a better reason than that. It wasn't right, it wasn't healthy, and I have hated myself ever since. You are right, I should have left her long ago but I didn't. But I'll be damned if I give my ex-wife even the slimmest chance to hurt him ever again!"
"No further question your honor," Clark said.

Dr. Rachel McGuire-Friar, pediatrician, was called next. "Can you describe the injuries that Farkle Minkus had sustained from his suicide attempt, Dr. Friar?" Rosemary asked.
"He had two identical scars on the insides of both his arms," Rachel explained. "He has had migraines and his larynx has suffered from some slight damage. He has also had some digestive issues, possibly long term."
"That's his state physically," the defense attorney said. "What would you say is his
psychological state?"
"He has both depression and anxiety disorder and has been given to frequent panic attacks," the doctor explained. "He has been prescribed Paxil and Trazodone."
"Did Mr. Minkus or his son tell you about any of the problems in the Minkus household?" Rosemary inquired.
Rachel nodded. "Absolutely, they told me about the abuse and Farkle even told me what his mother said before he tried to kill himself. I also received confirmation from Farkle's teacher, Mr. Cory Matthews that DFS charges had been filed against her."
"Your son is also close friends with Farkle correct?" Rosemary asked.
"That is correct," Rachel replied. "They are best friends."
"Was he aware of any reports of violence or abuse?" Rosemary asked.
"For the most part no because Farkle spent a great deal of time at our house and did not open up much about his family life," the doctor said. "But my son did tell of one incident that concerned him."
"What was that, Dr. Friar?" Rosemary asked.
"Earlier this past school year, Farkle showed my son, Lucas, his mother's wedding ring. He told him that the ring cost $78,000 but he got it for free. My son asked how come and Farkle replied that it was the ring that his mother kept throwing at his father but that she always wanted it back by Thursday."
"Were you aware of this incident before Farkle was in the hospital?" Rosemary asked.
"No, I was not," Rachel answered. "My son did not tell me of this incident until after Farkle was in the hospital."
"Does this telling detail in the Minkus family marriage confirm Ms. Bassett's abilities as a parent, in your professional opinion, Dr. Friar?"
"It confirms that she shouldn't be," Rachel said. "And even if that hadn't, certainly her son's current state does."
"No further questions your honor," Rosemary said.

"Dr. Friar," Clark began. "You were not the only primary physician treating Farkle Minkus as he lay in the hospital were you?"
"No, I was not," Dr. Friar answered. "When he was in a coma in intensive care, he was being treated by Dr. Benjamin Sinclair."
"Who has not been called to testify," Clark said. "Did you two share information on this case?"
"Doctors often do when a patient has been moved from one physician's care to another," Rachel said. "It saves on the guesswork to determine the means of treatment."
"Did Dr. Sinclair speak of his interactions with Farkle's father, Mr. Minkus?" Clark inquired.
"Yes he did," Rachel answered.
"What did Dr. Sinclair feel were Farkle's chances for survival?" Clark asked.
"He felt that Farkle's chances of survival were less than 10%," Rachel remarked.
"Did he recommend that Farkle Minkus' life support be turned off?" David asked.
"Yes he did," Rachel answered.
"And how did Mr. Minkus react?" Clark asked.
"He didn't sign the form," Rachel said. "He didn't want his son to be turned off!"
"Dr. Friar," Clark said. "What was Mr. Minkus' initial reaction when the doctor told him to turn off his son, his only child's life support?"
Rachel sighed. "He considered it. He is a very logical person and felt intellectually that if Farkle's probable chance for survival then perhaps he should be. But emotionally he felt otherwise. In the end, he couldn't bring himself to do it."
"But he still considered it," Clark said. "Hardly the characteristics of a loving father as he would like us to think."
"Objection," Rosemary said. "No parent wants to go through their child's impending death. We can no more judge Mr. Minkus' mental or emotional state at that moment than we could someone who had just been told their spouse has died."
"I think that we can judge it in this case," Clark said. "A man who has a cold-blooded intellect towards his child contradicts the image that he has sold as a man who loves his son!"
"Overruled Ms. Welles," Boyer said.
"At least he was there to ask," Rachel argued. Clark turned to the witness as she struck back. "Mr. Minkus was with his son, the whole time! He never left his side! Ms. Bassett wasn't able to give her opinion one way or another was she?"
"No further questions your honor," Clark continued.

"Shawn Hunter."
Shawn approached the bench and stood next to the bailiff. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" the bailiff asked.
"Sure whatever," Shawn said. The court laughed at Shawn's irreverence.
"Now Mr. Hunter," Rosemary asked. "How long have you known Mr. Minkus?"
"I have known Mi uh Mr. Minkus since elementary school," Shawn answered.
"Would you have considered yourself friends?" Rosemary asked.
"Not then he was a major nerd," Shawn said. The court erupted into laughter. Even Minkus offered a thin chuckle and a shake of his head.
"Had he grown out of his 'major nerd' status," Rosemary asked.
"Nah, he's a bigger nerd," Shawn said as the court laughed again. "But he's a great guy too and a good friend."
"So your relationship has evolved," Rosemary asked. "May I inquire whether there was a specific reason for this?"
"Lots of them," Shawn answered. "But I think the most important reason is simply we grew up. Sometimes people aren't the same people they were in school."
"Have you observed the defendant, Mr. Minkus' relationship with his son?" Rosemary asked.
"You bet," Shawn asked.
"Do you think he's a good father," Rosemary inquired.
"I can't think of a better father for that kid," Shawn answered. "He talks to him. Even though I don't understand even half of what they are saying, I just know that they really love and understand each other."
"You also assisted him during Farkle Minkus' suicide attempt," Rosemary asked.
"Yes he never left his side," Shawn answered. "I don't know where anyone else comes from, but that seems like the definition of a good father to me."
"You also have a history with the former Mrs. Minkus, Ms. Bassett, correct?" Rosemary asked.
"Yes I dated Jennifer uh I mean Ms. Bassett in high school," Shawn answered.
"And your relationship ended rather badly," Rosemary asked.
"Yes my friend Cory-Mr. Matthews didn't like her. She heard about it and wanted me to stop being friends with him," Shawn answered.
"Did you stop being friends with Mr. Matthews?" Rosemary asked.
"Briefly but I realized that if a girl didn't like my friends to the point that she made me stop seeing them, then she wasn't worth being a girlfriend to me," Shawn answered.
"This wasn't your last encounter in your high school years was it?" Rosemary asked.
"No it was not," Shawn replied.
"When was your last encounter with her in high school?" Rosemary inquired.
"In February 1998, Ms. Bassett and two other women had kidnapped me and handcuffed me to a boathouse," Shawn answered.
"Can you identify the other two women?" Rosemary asked.
"You bet," Shawn replied. "Ms. Chastain and Livingstone." He pointed at Libby. Dana was still absent from the court.
"What was their motive for this prank?" Rosemary asked.
"I had dated all three of them previously and was dating a different girl," Shawn said. "They wanted to make it seem that I wouldn't show up for the date, so the other girl would dump me."
"So they manipulated the situation to Ms. Bassett's advantage," Rosemary translated.
"Objection," Clark said. "This is completely irrelevant. What is the correlation between a juvenile prank as compared to Ms. Bassett's current position as a parent?"
"Indulge me your honor," Rosemary said.
Judge Boyer sighed. "Proceed Ms. Welles."
Rosemary then approached Shawn. "In subsequent years, has Ms. Bassett ever alluded to this situation in which she and her friends kidnapped you?"
"Yes Ma'am she has," Shawn answered. "Once a couple of years ago, in front of my friends Mr. and Mrs. Matthews."
"How did they recall the conversation?" Rosemary asked.
"They said that she laughed about it and refused to take responsibility for the situation," Minkus replied. "She said it was because 'Cory was afraid of her because he thought she was bigger than everyone else.' "
"Did you ever warn Mr. Minkus about your history with Ms. Bassett," Rosemary asked.
"Yes once when they were engaged," Shawn replied. "I told him that she would mess him up and break his heart."
"Did he listen?" Rosemary asked.
"Obviously not," Shawn said waving his hands around the courtroom.
"So in your observation," Rosemary asked. "Who do you think is the better parent for Farkle Minkus?"
"His father, Stuart Minkus 100%," Shawn answered.
"No further questions," Rosemary replied.

David Clark rose and approached the freelance writer/blogger. "Mr. Hunter when referring to your friend Stuart Minkus you said that "sometimes people aren't the same people that they were in school."
"Yes I did," Shawn answered.
"Do you believe that could apply to Ms. Bassett as well?" Clark asked.
"It could if she wasn't," Shawn answered.
"Now in the years between 2001 to 2014, you have had very little contact with your friends, the Matthews or Mr. Minkus, correct?" Clark inquired.
"I was a travel writer and was on the road a lot," Shawn answered.
"You even expressed surprise that Mr. Minkus even had a child," Clark asked. "Your words were and I quote, 'Minkus reproduced?' "
"Yes that's true," Shawn replied.
"You have not been in contact with the Minkus family in that time while Ms. Chastain and Ms. Livingstone had," Clark asked.
"Objection," Rosemary said. "Shawn Hunter is not on trial here and what would be the charge, being an absent friend?"
"I am establishing a pattern towards his account," Clark replied.
"Objection overruled," Judge Boyer told David Clark to proceed.
"So during the Minkus marriage you were unable to observe any actual evidence of abuse from Ms. Bassett towards either her former husband or her son."
"Not during most of it no," Shawn said.
"Then how do you base your opinion on whether you think that Mr. Minkus is the superior parent on your own juvenile escapades?" Clark asked. "Is this testimony less about your concern for a friend that you admitted you have lost touch with or is out of revenge against a woman who once played a prank on you?"
"What the hell kind of question is that?" Shawn asked he mumbled and trailed off at the end of the sentence.
"I'm sorry Mr. Hunter could you repeat that answer," Clark asked. "Louder so the court can hear?"
Shawn spoke loud and clear. "I said WHAT THE HELL KIND OF QUESTION IS THAT, YOU DILLHOLE!" The court erupted into such laughter that Judge Boyer banged his gavel repeatedly to silence the crowd.
"Answer the question Mr. Hunter," Boyer asked.
Shawn sighed. "If I was only basing it on what Ms. Bassett had done to me, I wouldn't care. I would say yes give her a chance. I certainly deserved it because I did a lot of shitty things when I was in school. But I owned up to it, I sought to change myself and be a better person than I was back then. No, I was not there while Ms. Bassett and Mr. Minkus were married, but I have been with them in the past few months, almost a year and I can see for myself what had gone on. I saw Farkle in the hospital and I have seen him recover. I have seen his Dad with him every step of the way. I have been a part of Ms. Bassett's intervention and have seen her return. I have seen her slap and yell at her son during the intervention when Mr. Minkus' and his great crime was simply revealing the truth. I have seen Mr. Minkus pull his son out of countless panic attacks and depression episodes. I have seen Farkle and I know which parent he is closest to and which one he is afraid of. The difference between Mr. Minkus and myself and Ms. Bassett is we grew up, Ms. Bassett hadn't. It isn't about what Ms. Bassett did to me that's the reason I'm talking to you. It's about what she did to Farkle."
David Clark said that there were no further questions.

"Cornelius Matthews."
Embarrassed at the reveal of his full name, Cory rose to the bench and swore to tell the truth. He stated his name and occupation as "Cory Matthews, History Teacher John Quincy Adams Middle School."
"Mr. Matthews," Rosemary asked. "How long have you known the Minkus family?"
Cory nodded in Shawn's direction. "Like Mr. Hunter, I too attended elementary school with Mr. Minkus and high school with Ms. Bassett. I am also Farkle Minkus' history teacher and the father of one of his closest friends. I would say I consider Mr. Minkus a good friend of mine."
"Were you consistent friends from elementary school on up to the present?" Rosemary asked.
Cory shook his head. "No we drifted apart and didn't speak until his son, Farkle became friends with my daughter, Riley. We were acquaintances mostly until the past couple of years when his son Farkle became one of my students."
"How much in the way of abuse did you observe in the years amongst the family?" Rosemary asked.
"Not as much as I should have, I will be the first to admit," Cory said. "Farkle spent time at our place with my daughter. So for a long time neither I nor any of the rest of my family ever got to observe him in his home or hear interactions between him and his parents."
"Did you find this odd?" Rosemary asked.
"At first I did," Cory answered. "But Farkle's father explained that since he had worked odd hours and his wife was not often home, then it was better for Farkle to be at our apartment instead of Riley coming to theirs."
"When did you first begin to suspect that there were signs of abuse in the Minkus home?" Rosemary inquired.
"Well I questioned it particularly as Farkle became my student," Cory said. "I would notice some tension within him such as a drive for perfection and a reluctance to go home. Even some of his personality traits such as overconfidence could be seen as defense mechanisms to cope with an abusive home life. Many a middle school teacher becomes aware of the symptoms of a child in a troubled background. It became apparent after he had been bullied and rather than remain at home, Farkle had remained inside the janitor's closet listening to the lectures. I scheduled a parent-teacher conference with his father and that's when Mr. Minkus had told me that his wife,- well ex-wife now, had verbally abused their son."
"What did you suggest in the situation?" Rosemary inquired.
"I gave Mr. Minkus the number for an abuse support group and gave him some breathing space to fix the problem or I would call DFS," Cory replied.
"Was the problem fixed?" Rosemary asked.
"Briefly, Mr. Minkus and Farkle attended the group and Ms. Bassett had quit drinking cold turkey."
"When did you call DFS, Mr. Matthews?" Rosemary asked.
"September 15, 2015," Cory said. "I saw Farkle appear in class with a black eye. I called DFS after class ended."
"This was the same day that Farkle Minkus had attempted suicide?" Rosemary asked.
"That's right," Cory answered.
"In your DFS report, you cited both verbal and physical abuse towards Farkle Minkus from Ms. Bassett?"
"Yes Ma'am," Cory replied.
"Did you also participate in the intervention so Jennifer Bassett could attend rehab?" Rosemary asked.
"Yes I did," Cory answered. "I even edited the letters that Stuart and Farkle Minkus wrote for her and made suggestions for improvements."
"In your professional opinion, do you think that Jennifer Bassett should obtain custody of Farkle Minkus or do you think that he should remain in the custody of his father, Stuart Minkus?"
"He should remain with his father, no question" Cory said. "If any of you were to see them together, there would be no trial at all."
"No further questions your honor," Rosemary answered.

Clark then approached the teacher. "Mr. Matthews, you stated that you witnessed no signs of abuse in the Minkus family until after Farkle became your student is that correct?"
"Yes that's true," Cory answered.
"You did not actually become aware of any signs of abuse until you were told of it by the defendant, Stuart Minkus correct?" Clark asked.
"I had my suspicions but I cannot act on those alone unless I receive confirmation," Cory replied.
"Have you known Mr. Minkus to exaggerate or lie?" Clark asked.
"Objection leading the witness," Rosemary said.
"Sustained," Judge Boyer answered. "Rephrase the question, Mr. Clark."
"How successful would you say that Family Services is in putting a stop to an abusive situation that is primarily verbal?" Clark asked.
"I don't work for Family Services so I really couldn't say," Cory began.
"In your professional opinion as an educator," Clark prompted.
"Unfortunately not as often as we would like it to be," Cory sighed.
"Why is that," Clark asked. "What are the stumbling blocks to reporting verbal abuse?"
"It's between two parties," Cory said. "Three or more sometimes, when the children are involved. Words can be taken back, said to be exaggerated or taken out of context-"
"-Or considered he said/she said," Clark translated. "So you were not aware of any abuse going on in the Minkus home until Mr. Minkus told you?"
"Mr. Minkus is one of my friends," Cory said. "I have every reason to believe him!"
"A friend that you admit that you had drifted apart from that you only became close friends within the last two years," Clark interjected. "Is it possible that you only saw what you wanted to see, what Mr. Minkus wanted you to see?"
"Objection," Rosemary said.
"Overruled," Boyer said.
"No I knew myself," Cory answered.
"Based on Mr. Minkus' word," Clark said. "We all know that Mr. Minkus is a genius. Surely a genius could manipulate events so you could see what he wanted you to see: that he was the victim and his wife was the abuser. Is it entirely possible that it could have been the other way around?"
"I have seen it for myself," Cory snapped. "At Ms. Bassett's intervention when she threatened to hurt Farkle and her former husband stood in front to keep her from doing so. I had seen it in Mt. Sinai when his father sat by him and begged us to help him so he couldn't be hurt anymore. If he is a liar or an actor, then he is the most gifted actor ever because he never stops showing love for that boy. Above all I know people and I know the way Farkle and his father act around each other. It's love, real love and trust towards each other. I have never seen Farkle look at or interact with his mother in that way."
"No further questions," Clark was about to sit down but he stood up again. "Except one. Would you characterize Mr. Minkus as being faithful to his wife?"
"Yes I suppose so," Cory replied.
"So were you aware of any infidelity from his part towards her during their marriage?" Clark answered.
"No," Cory answered.
"No actions," Clark said.
"No," Cory answered.
"Or thoughts considering it," Clark replied.
Cory shook his head, "No."
"Has Stuart Minkus ever expressed any interest in your wife, Topanga Lawrence-Matthews?" Clark inquired.
"When we were kids he had a crush on her yes-"Cory began.
"Not as adults," Clark asked.
"No," Cory insisted.
"So during your School's Career Day in March 2015, did Stuart Minkus say in front of several people and I quote, 'I run Minkus International, I own a helicopter and she chose you.' "
"Well yes but-"Cory replied.
"And did later Farkle Minkus confess to you that his father told him that Topanga Lawrence-Matthews should have been his mother," Clark continued.
"Yes but I don't think that's what he meant," Cory stammered.
"Answer the question yes or no, Mr. Matthews," Clark asked. "Please remember you are under oath."
"Yes he said both of those things," Cory said.
Clark smiled smugly. "No further questions your honor."

"For the record, please state your name and occupation."
"Katherine Hart, Manager Topanga's Bakery," Katy said before she sat in the witness stand.
"Ms. Hart, how do you know my client, Mr. Minkus?" Rosemary asked.
"Well our children are friends. My daughter and his son go to the same school together," Katy said.
"Is that how your interactions began?" Rosemary asked.
"No we hardly saw each other until the past oh year and a half or so," Katy reasoned. "Now we're good friends."
"What changed your relationship from hardly seeing each other to good friends?" Rosemary asked.
"When Stu-uh Mr. Minkus and I met at a support group for abuse victims and we shared stories through that," Katy said.
"So you yourself were a victim of domestic violence?" Rosemary asked.
"Yes my daughter and I both were," Katy said.
"May I inquire some of the details towards these incidents?" Rosemary asked.
Katy took a deep breath and looked towards Maya and Shawn. They looked serious, but Maya nodded. Katy winced as she looked towards Minkus in the defense stand and Farkle behind them. She bit her lip. Farkle and Minkus were still living through the Hell. She and Maya got out, the least she could do was offer a hand out of the darkness. "My former husband, Kermit Clutterbucket, had molested my daughter. He touched her inappropriately and I caught him fondling her in her bed."
"Did you stop him?" Rosemary asked.
"I tried," Katy said. "Boy did I try. I would push him away from her or fight with him, but then he would often beat me or attack me. In some ways it worked. After he was finished with me, he didn't go after Maya. Mostly the urge would be gone and he would run out possibly to the bar or to a prostitute for all I knew."
"Did this happen often during your daughter's childhood," Rosemary asked.
"More times than I would have liked it to," Katy said bitterly.
"You had been hospitalized a few times after altercations with your former husband," Rosemary prompted. "Did you tell any staff of the abuse?"
"No I did not," Katy said. "I would say that I had been mugged or had a workplace accident."
"So when was the first time that you made your abuse public, apart from telling your support group or telling your friends?" Rosemary asked.
Katy sighed. "Just a few minutes ago."
"Your honor," Clark said. "Ms. Hart has my sympathies but this is hardly germane to Mr. Minkus and Ms. Bassett's situation."
"Sustained," Boyer answered. "Proceed Ms. Welles."
"Ms. Hart," Rosemary said. "You have observed the relationship between Stuart and Farkle Minkus. Would you say that Mr. Minkus is a loving father?"
"Absolutely, Mr. Minkus is devoted to him," Katy said. "I have seen him through some pretty rough times and I know if anything had ever happened to Farkle, he would just die."
"So having been in a situation of being an abused wife, would you describe Stuart Minkus as abusive towards his son?" Rosemary asked.
"No way in hell," Katy said. The audience laughed at her answer. "I know abusive men and he's not one of them, not by a long shot!" Rosemary seated as Clark approached the bench.

"Ms. Hart how would you describe your relationship with Stuart Minkus?" Clark asked.
"I said he's a good friend," Katy answered.
"Nothing more," Clark asked.
"No," Katy said. "A straight man and woman can be friends with each other."
"Of course," Clark said dryly. "Did Ms. Bassett agree?"
"I don't know what she thought," Katy replied.
"She never confronted you or insinuated anything about your relationship?" Clark asked.
"Mr. Minkus said once that she thought my daughter and I were prostitutes, but-" Katy began.
"But she never talked to you directly," Clark said.
"No well-"Katy reasoned.
"What did she say, Ms. Bassett and remember you are under oath," Clark said.
"At her intervention she said that I looked like a drudge and that she didn't know why my husband would waste time sleeping with me. She then looked towards my daughter and said that she could see."
"So she believed that you or your daughter or both were having an affair with her former husband," Clark translated. "How did you react?"
"I was about ready to kick the shit out of her," Katy said. "No one insults my baby girl in front of me and gets away with it!"
"Did you?" Clark asked.
"No my friends held me off and the counselor reminded us that physical retaliation would only cause more trouble," Katy said sheepishly.
"Was it in defense of your daughter or of yourself?" Clark said.
"Excuse me?" Katy asked.
"Were you secretly or perhaps not so secretly in love with Mr. Minkus yourself and fought with Ms. Bassett to disguise a truth that she knew?" Clark asked. "Was she in fact justifiable in her accusations towards you?"
"No she was not," Katy said determined. "Stuart Minkus is simply a close friend and I will be damned if I let anyone like you or her-" She motioned to Jennifer. "-malign any friend of mine!"
"You revealed a long buried secret in open court, Ms. Hart," Clark said. " You revealed that your daughter had been molested and you had been abused by your former husband! Would you have done that for someone who was just a friend?"
Katy looked at him determined. "I would have done more for anyone I ever cared about, you pompous ass!"
"Ms. Hart please," Boyer said after the court's laughter and Shawn's whistle of approval died down.
"As a sufferer of domestic violence yourself did you question why Mr. Minkus never left his wife or why the evidence was never reported?" Clark asked.
"No," Katy said.
"Why because it didn't exist or because you didn't see it for yourself," Clark asked.
"No," Katy answered through clenched teeth. "Because having been in that situation, I know how people act! Our spirits are broken to the point that the only thing we live for day to day is that our children would be safe! I am no different than Stuart Minkus even though he's a man and I'm a woman and he had money and I didn't! We and our children were abused! Anyone who has ever been in that situation know the pain and humiliation it is to live through it, the isolation that you feel when your partner makes you feel worthless, and the courage and nervousness that you feel when the partner is gone and you have to start your life over again! I have walked down that road before Mr. Minkus and the best thing that I can do for him is help him walk through it. I have no regrets about our friendship or being here talking to you." She thought for a minute. "Oh except one."
"What regret is that, Ms. Hart?" Clark asked.
"I still wish I had kicked the shit out of Ms. Bassett when I had the chance," Katy said amidst the laughter. Judge Boyer then ordered the blond woman to be seated.

Morgan Matthews headed for her apartment after a busy working day and flipped on her laptop. Out of curiosity, she wanted to see how Stuart's trial was going. She wanted to be there for him mentally if she wasn't there physically. Even if she couldn't sort out whether she was in love with Stuart, he was still her friend. He deserved her support.
She was still receiving intimidating cyberstalking messages. Once she sent back an answer saying that she had broken up with Stuart, what more did the stalker want? She received no reply. The police officers arrested two of the members of the gang that raped her and Morgan had to go to the station to identify them. That still left Frog, their leader. Morgan quaked in fear/
She read the latest account that Katy Hart had been called as a defense witness. Morgan didn't know Katy at all, but she did know her daughter, Maya. She could tell by looking at the girl that she had a rough life. She read about Katy's testimony including the mention that Maya had been molested and Katy herself had been abused. Morgan's heart sank as she read about Katy revealing that it was the first time that she went public with this information and she did it because Stuart was her friend! "I would have done more for anyone I ever cared about," she quoted.
Morgan shook feeling like a coward! Here she was, Morgan a tough fearless independent woman hiding in her apartment while her friend, possibly boyfriend, was in the most important trial of his life. She was staying away from Stuart for what reason? The threats and the attempted rape sure, but was she really hiding from Stuart because she was afraid how much he meant to her? Was she trying to deny their relationship by pushing him away from her? Wasn't that what her cyberstalker wanted? Was she passively blaming Stuart for what had happened or herself for falling in love with him? She didn't know but it all boiled down to one conclusion: She was being selfish staying away from Stuart now when he needed her the most. She quickly dialed her father.
"Dad, could you please mind the store for the next couple of days?" Morgan asked.
"Sure Honey, what's up?" Alan asked.
"I have to go out of town," Morgan said. "It's an emergency."
"Does this emergency involve a certain genius fighting for custody of his kid?" Alan asked.
"Dad please," Morgan began.
"Morgan, hasn't Stuart Minkus put you through enough?" Alan asked.
"I just want to be there for him," Morgan said. "He needs all the support he can get."
"Morgan just be careful," Alan said. "I don't want you getting more hurt than you are."
"I know," Morgan said. "I'll be alright." She said good-bye to her father then dialed Topanga Matthews' number. "Hi Topanga, it's Morgan I'm driving up to Manhattan. Could you meet me? Also, do you know of any way where I could be a witness in Stuart's trial?"

Judge Gilbert Boyer relaxed feeling the steam from the sauna fill him. He sighed contented as he saw an old friend approach him. "Hello Ed," he greeted Edward Bassett, his fellow club member, church parishioner, and drinking buddy.
"Hello Gil," Edward said. "Relaxing are we?"
"I need it with this custody trial as you well know," Boyer said.
"Ah yes the unfortunate marriage between my daughter and that man is finally ending and not soon enough I say," Edward sighed happily.
"Hmm," Boyer agreed. "So how is Jennifer coping with this?"
"How do you think with maligning my daughter's good name with that awful Internet rag and interviewed by that political muckraker no less" Edward said. "She is not well at all on top of being in the most stressful trial of her life. The poor girl is in complete crisis mode right now."
"Well she has my sympathies," Boyer said cautiously.
"She could use more than that," Edward suggested.
Boyer stood up straighter. "How do you mean?"
"Well this trial has been rather difficult for her," Edward hinted. "It would be beneficial if the results would be in her favor."
Boyer understood fully what Bassett was asking him to do. "Edward, that would be a violation of my role as a judge-"
"-Oh of course," Bassett said leaning back as if the matter were closed. "It's not like you ever did that before." He then looked upward. "Oh but you have before."
"That was a long time ago, Ed," Gilbert insisted.
"Sure but still a man who was certainly guilty of assaulting a young woman was able to be released when he should still be languishing in prison," Bassett reminded him.
"This is an entirely different circumstance," Gilbert reminded him.
"Of course," Edward said. "Wasn't that young man's father a Senator or a Mayoral candidate, ah, yes Jim Stone's son J.J. wasn't it and wasn't the girl a store clerk or a housemaid or something? Oh, it was some time ago. I'm sure it will come to me. But anyway, such actions with that trial and certainly this one will be held into consideration when you are trying to get a seat in the state supreme court, possibly in the federal court as well."
"What do you mean?" Boyer asked.
"Well when you are trying to get your campaign financed, it may behoove you to remember those who could have assisted you and did not because you were unable to do a favor for them," Bassett suggested.
Gilbert Boyer leaned closer. "What exactly do you want me to do?" He listened as Edward Bassett told him.

Judge Boyer sat in the bench overlooking the crowd. "Does the prosecution have anymore witnesses?" Boyer asked.
"We do not your honor," Clark said.
"Does the defense?" Boyer asked.
Rosemary stood. "Yes we have two more witnesses" She heard the door open. "And here comes one now!"
Inside the courtroom walked a blond woman with… "TOPANGA!"" Cory, Minkus, Shawn, and the others said with the same surprise.
"This trial isn't over yet, your honor," Topanga said as she sat down.
Rosemary smiled. "The defense calls Morgan Matthews."
Rosemary approached the bench after Morgan swore to tell the truth. "Ms. Matthews, will you please tell the court of your relationship with my client, Stuart Minkus?"
"Yes Ma'am," Morgan said. "We grew up within a few blocks of each other in
Philadelphia. He was a classmate and sort of a friend of my brother's so we've known each other almost our whole lives."
"Were you friends or more, Ms. Matthews?" Rosemary asked.
"Well we were just friends or specifically friends of friends," Morgan said. "Recently, we have become more."
"How recently have you become more than friends?" Rosemary asked.
"Since October of this previous year," Morgan answered.
"How would you describe Mr. Minkus' character?" Rosemary asked.
"He is very intelligent logical, a genius, but that's not all he is," Morgan answered. "He's one of the sweetest kindest people that I know and his son Farkle is his whole life. I know that they should be together."
"Ms. Matthews, could you tell the court the significance of your involvement with Mr. Minkus and how you know so much about his character?" Rosemary asked.
Morgan pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and handed it to Rosemary. "Because I'm the Unidentified Blond."
Some of the court spoke and whispered to each other in surprise. Rosemary gave a quick summary of the photograph and the kiss shared between Minkus and Morgan. "The court appreciates your candor Ms. Matthews but why have you never come forward with this information before? This photograph was taken in October, 2015."
Morgan tensed as she spoke. "Because starting November 2015 I had been the victim of cyberstalking and also in the same month I was the victim of a rape."
Another gasp filled the courtroom. Stuart visibly paled and looked worried for Morgan.
"Ms. Matthews, did the cyberstalking messages involve you and Stuart Minkus?"
"Yes Ma'am they did," Morgan answered. "They told me various things that if I didn't break up with or I defended Mr. Minkus then I would get my head bashed in and other ugly threats."
"Was the rape connected to the threats?" Rosemary asked.
"I believe so," Morgan replied. "The rapists used some of the same phrases that were in the messages."
"Do you know if they were your cyberstalkers?" Rosemary asked.
"No I do not," Morgan said. "They mentioned a 'Boss Lady' so I think they were working for a woman."
"Have any of the rapists been charged for this crime?" Rosemary asked.
"Two have at this point," Morgan said.
"Have they revealed who they worked for?" Rosemary asked.
"No they have not," Morgan said.
"Do you have your suspicions?" Rosemary asked.
"Objection speculation and irrelevant," Clark said.
"Sustained," Boyer said. "This is not Ms. Matthews' rape trial, Ms. Welles, please stay with the main issue."
"Of course your honor," Rosemary answered. She then turned to Morgan. "Ms. Matthews, you had been threatened with serious injury possibly worse if you spoke here at the trial or continued your relationship with Mr. Minkus and yet here you are. Why are you here?"
"Because I care about Mr. Minkus and his son," Morgan said. "I believe that much in him. I know he's a good father and I know that he should keep his son."
"That's an admirable trait to be willing to risk personal safety to help a friend," Rosemary observed. "No further questions your honor."

Clark stepped forward. Rosemary had to admit, David Clark was a good improviser. Even though Morgan was a surprise witness, he was able to think up some questions. "Ms. Matthews, your romantic relationship with Stuart Minkus began in October 2015, while his wife was in rehab?"
"Yes it did," Morgan answered.
" Were you aware that Mr. Minkus was still married and his wife was in a rehabilitation clinic when you first dated?" Clark asked.
"Well yes but their marriage had been over," Morgan hedged. "They were planning on getting divorced when she left rehab."
"Yes or no, Ms. Matthews," Clark asked.
"Yes I was," Morgan said.
"So you willingly went out with a married man, a wealthy married man at that," Clark said.
"He is not wealthy not like he was," Morgan said.
"How interesting that you would know that, Ms. Matthews," Clark said. "You are the second woman to have had a romantic relationship with Mr. Minkus during his marriage, possibly the third maybe fourth if we count Ms. Matthews. You stated that you and Mr. Minkus knew each other your whole lives but that it was never romantic until this past October?"
"Yes that's what I said," Morgan said through clenched teeth.
"Did you find any romantic interest in Mr. Minkus before he was wealthy or just afterward while his wife was in a hospital with no resources to challenge you," Clark said.
"Well it's hard to find romantic interest in someone when you've known them since you were five," Morgan said dryly. "I thought boys were icky most of the time that I knew Stuart Minkus! But yes since then I have had romantic feelings for Mr. Minkus, but as I said before money had nothing to do with my feelings for him!"
"Did you find it convenient to be involved with him since his wife was hospitalized?" Clark asked.
"No," Morgan began.
"Have you stayed away from Mr. Minkus now that his wife has returned?" Clark asked.
"That's not the reason at all," Morgan shot back. "I was being threatened!"
"Objection leading the witness," Rosemary said.
"Overruled," Boyer replied. "Proceed Mr. Clark."
"Ms. Matthews how do you feel about Mr. Minkus now?" David Clark asked.
"I care very deeply for him," Morgan said. "I want to help him."
"Would you say that you love him?" Clark asked.
"I-," Morgan began.
"Ms. Matthews you are under oath," Clark prompted.
"Yes I do love him," Morgan answered.
Clark said that there would be no further questions.
On her way to be seated, Minkus took Morgan's hand. "Morgan I'm sorry. Why didn't you tell me?"
Morgan shook her head. "I couldn't."
She was about to say more when the judge ordered Minkus to be seated and Morgan to return to her seat.

"The defense would like to call our final witness," Rosemary said. "Farkle Minkus."
Farkle looked towards his father who gave him a good luck smile and nod. Go get them, he mouthed. Farkle smiled and raised his right hand. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
"I do," Farkle answered.
Rosemary walked up to Farkle. "Now Farkle how do you get along with your father?"
Farkle shrugged. "He's always been there for me. When everyone else thinks I'm weird, he never does. We share puzzles, read together, talk about everything. I love him."
Rosemary smiled. "Now how do you get along with your mother?"
Farkle looked downward. "Not as well. She yelled at me a lot and sometimes hit me. She always wanted me to be someone else and I don't think she ever really understood me."
"Would you describe your relationship as abusive?" Rosemary asked.
Farkle nodded. "Yes, I would. Everything that has been said about her is true."
"Now Farkle which parent do you want to live with?" Rosemary asked.
"My father definitely," Farkle answered simply.
Rosemary smiled. "No further questions your honor."

David Clark then walked up.
"Now if your mother had custody of you would you want to continue your relationship with your father?" Clark inquired.
"Yes, definitely," Farkle said.
"Now if it were the other way around and your father had custody of you would you want to continue your relationship with your mother?" Clark asked.
"I would want some time," Farkle said. "It would be hard for me to be with her and probably hard for her to be with me. Maybe in the future, but not right away."
"Farkle, you noticeably look different than you did about a year ago," Clark said. "What accounted for the change?"
"Well sir, you see boys go through changes," Farkle began dryly. "Their voices get deeper and-"
"-I understand that, young man," Clark said dryly. "I meant changes in your dress and manner. What happened in the past year?"
"I didn't want to wear what I wore before," Farkle said.
"You changed from your bright colored turtlenecks to wearing dark colors, black mostly," Clark said. "Was it a reaction to the difficulties at home?"
"Some," Farkle said. "I also felt that after I returned from the hospital that my earlier clothes were no longer appropriate."
"They fit a more darker persona," Clark said. "One that rebelled against authority, against the father that you claim that you want to stay with!"
"Well yes but-"Farkle said.
"Your honor," Rosemary said. "Farkle Minkus simply acted as any rebellious teenager. We have all been through that phase. I myself had a Goth look that I shudder to remember. This isn't germane to whether Stuart Minkus is a good parent."
"Oh I think it has everything to do with whether Stuart Minkus is a good parent," Clark said.
"I will allow it, proceed," Boyer prompted.
"Farkle, do you think that you would have dressed in such a manner and rebelled against your mother in such a fashion?" Clark asked.
"If I were just living with my mother and not my father?" Farkle asked.
"Precisely," Clark answered.
"No I wouldn't get to," Farkle said.
"How do you mean?" Clark asked.
Farkle shrugged. "Because I would no sooner enter dressed like that than my mother would have called me a little nothing, given me a black eye, and told me to change."
"Which you would obey," Clark hinted.
"If it were just her and me yes," Farkle said. "Because my father wouldn't be there to defend or support me like he has every day of my life. But if he was, he would have told me that it was all right and I could wear whatever I wanted."
"During this rebellion," Clark said. "You called yourself Donnie Barnes. While one can understand the desire to change from an odd name like Farkle, why did you also decide to drop the Minkus in your name?"
"No reason," Farkle said. "Donnie Barnes sounded better than Donnie Minkus."
"There must have been a reason," Clark said. "After all you said that you loved your father. Why did you not want to have your last name? Were you angry at your father?"
"A little," Farkle began.
"You are under oath," Clark said patiently. "You are old enough to understand what it means."
Farkle sighed. "I was angry with him."
"What for?" Clark asked.
Farkle looked directly at his father. His eyes said, I'm sorry. "I was angry that he couldn't protect me from my mother."
"So the man that you claimed you love and understand failed you when you needed him the most," Clark said. "You were so angry that you changed your name."
"He was going through his own problems I realized that he wasn't able to protect me," Farkle said.
"Which justified the Hell that you went through," Clark said. "Have you ever discussed your feelings about your mother? Did you ever express hatred for her?"
Farkle shook his head. "No, we're supposed to hate the actions not the person that's what the abuse support group tells us!"
"Farkle, have you?" Clark said.
"Yes I did," Farkle answered.
"How did your father react?" Clark said. After a silence, Clark asked the question again.
Farkle bit his lip. "My father told me that it was better to let the emotion out rather than to bottle it up. He said that sometimes he hated her too."
Clark smiled smugly. "No further questions your honor."

Judge Gilbert Boyer told both the plaintiff and the defendant to stand. "We have heard both sides sling mud against each other, accusing both parents of being abusive, unfaithful, and have had loyal friends and colleagues spring to their defense. While the importance of fatherhood is grossly underestimated in this country, Mr. Minkus has not shown that he could properly protect or care for his child." Stuart gave an involuntary gasp and Farkle let out a small surprised wail of "No!" before Boyer continued. "This court sees no choice but to remove custody of the child, Farkle J. Minkus from his father to his mother, Jennifer Bassett. Since summer vacation is upon us, I recommend that Farkle be placed in his mother's care on August 1 in time for him to begin 9th grade at his mother's home. Visitation rights will be made upon review. Case dismissed!" He banged his gavel as Jennifer's side cheered and hollered in delight.
Stuart at first was stunned, but he ran forward to the judge. "This is outrageous! You can't do this to my son!" He said.
"You are free to appeal this decision," Boyer said. "But it will be costly and unnecessary."
Rosemary held Stuart back. "Stuart, no."
"This isn't over," Minkus declared. "I won't lose him!" He saw Farkle pale as he held him closer. "I won't lose you!"
"I thought we were going to win," Farkle said.
Minkus held his son tightly and let him cry on him. Cory, Topanga, and the others approached him. "I'm sorry, Farkle; Minkus," Cory said.
Farkle angrily turned to his teacher. "You said that if we told the truth and looked at the evidence, justice will win! We didn't win!"
"I know Farkle, I know," Cory said. "I'm sorry!"
"You said people change people, why doesn't she?" Farkle asked pointing at his mother who was being interviewed.
"I don't know, Farkle," Cory said. "Sometimes they change for the worst."
One of the reporters ran up to Farkle. "Hey Farkle why not a happy picture with you and your Mom?"
Farkle shook his head and was about say no when a throng of reporters surrounded the father and son practically ripping Farkle from his father's arms. They pushed and shoved on him until he stood next to his mother.
"Ms. Bassett how do you feel about the judge's verdict?" one of the reporters asked.
"Justice was done," Jennifer replied. She put her arm around her son in a tight embrace. "Come on smile baby, be happy that you're going to live with your mother," she said through clenched teeth. She held Farkle so tightly that he felt like he would suffocate in her bony arms. He forced a weak smile as his mother held him tight.
Minkus looked over the reporters and Jennifer's family and supporters but he already felt lost in a crowd as though Farkle had already been removed from his life forever.