Chapter 12

Karen found herself in court, yet again, but this time she wasn't scared. She wasn't unafraid either, she just choose to remain unalert, uncaring. She listened with deaf ears as Lyle's lawyer pranced around the courtroom; saying things about her that she knew would only hurt her defense.

Max, her lawyer, soon got up and began presenting their side. His argument, as he had discussed with her earlier, was that she could easily stop whatever it was she was doing wrong. She wasn't endangering her child's life anymore, and wanted the best for it.

The judge listened. It was a hard case. However, the newly ex Ms. Finster had not told Mr. Finster when they were divorcing that she was pregnant; that in itself was fabrication and needed to be addressed. The judge also knew that there were reasons for Ms. Finster to have withheld that information. Reasons such as this court case. She knew Ms. Finster had not wanted Mr. Finster to have anything to do with their child. But Ms. Finster was also unstable. She had a job, but her background did not look good.

It had been proven that the child Karen was carrying was in fact Lyle's. They had gone to get tested, on separate days of course. While Lyle had been there, Angel had come in to see him. They were old friends, having met at several gatherings around town.

"Hello, Lyle." Angel didn't smile at him. She was outraged by what he was trying to do to Karen. "You know, you really shouldn't do this."

"Angel, I'm only doing it because I think it's what's best for the baby." Lyle had pleaded, not wanting to have this conversation with her.

"It's not good for the baby. Karen is a complete mess because of you. And it's not healthy for her to be under stress right now. Being over forty and pregnant already brings about risks, but adding this unneeded stress, Jesus Lyle, what do you think you're doing?"

He didn't respond. He couldn't. But it had been to late in the proceedings to take everything back.

Karen was suddenly pulled back to the case as she heard the officer call for everyone to stand. She looked around and noticed Lorraine wasn't there. Where could she be? And why did it even matter. What could she possibly do?

Recess. Karen turned around and found Grace starring at her. She hadn't seen Grace in ages, having been too down to go to work. Grace gave her a smile and held out her arms. Karen walked to her and they hugged.

"Are you alright?" Grace asked.

"Yeah. I think." Karen felt a tear trickling down her cheek. Grace immediately wiped it away.

"Oh, Karen, don't cry. Come on, you're strong. And no matter what happens, you and I both know you'll make a better parent then Lyle ever could." Grace tried, and saw a slight smile spread across Karen's face. Jack, who had been chatting with Will noticed Karen smiling, and was happy that she had just smiled. Maybe Grace should come over more.

Before any of them were ready the judge returned with the verdict. Ever one rose and watched as she sat down. Everyone followed after her example and Karen was now alert and listening.

"Not everyday do I have such odd cases, such as this one." The judge began. "I, being a mother, know how afraid you, Ms. Karen Finster, must have been to confront Lyle Finster about being pregnant, especially knowing that he would try for custody. However that does not excuse you from not telling him. That should have been discussed during your divorce proceedings. Lyle Finster and his lawyer, nonetheless, have also presented a very good case against you. You have a track record. Drinking, stealing, working with your mother to aid in her con-arting. It seems you're unstable. As much as I would like to award you with this child, I have a feeling it will be better taken care of by Lyle Finster. Therefore I am awarding full custody, with the exception of a watched meeting every month, or whenever wanted by Lyle, to Lionel Finster."

"What?" Karen looked up. The beginning of the judge's spiel had sounded promising. What happened? And what about Lyle's track record, or did he not have one. The dirty bastard always had a cover-up. Damn.

"Court is adjourned."

Karen sat still, not sure what to feel. She didn't want to cry; she didn't want to do anything. She saw Lyle out of the corner of eye and he looked almost apologetic, like he wanted to take it all back. She hated him.

Grace, Jack, and Will were immediately at her side, saying things to her. She couldn't comprehend anything. Before she knew it she was back at the Penthouse in her bed. Will had tried to talk, he'd even come in and gotten into bed with her. He stroked her hair, not sure what else to do.

Jack had tried next. He'd gotten Karen to talk, well if you counted her telling him to get the hell out, talking.

Grace was last. She came in quietly and went to the side of the bed, Karen was facing, and squatted down so they were looking face to face. "Hey, sweetie." Grace whispered, as she stroked Karen's hair, and let her hand slide down her arm, grasping her hand.

"Why does he want the baby?" Karen whimpered and Grace shook her head, realizing she had gotten the most out of Karen so far.

"I don't know, Kare. I'm not sure he knows what he wants. I watched him the entire time and he looked unsure of the whole thing. Karen, he kept looking over at you. He looked so sad."

"Then why did he do it? Why." Tears were streaming down her face again, and Grace crawled onto the other side of the bed, unable to answer. She wrapped her arms around Karen's middle and pulled her to her. Karen snuggled in deeper to Grace's embrace. Something was different about Grace. Karen felt she could be open with her. Maybe she'd needed another woman instead of Jack. She didn't know, but her thoughts began to blur as she drifted off into sleep.