Chapter Eleven: Retelling
Most mornings when Michelle drove to work, she wanted to avoid every red light, but the next morning, the day of the hearing, Michelle wanted nothing more than to hit every red light on the way to the courthouse. She peered over at Chrissy in the passenger seat, and knew she was wishing for the same thing.
The two of them had woken up earlier that morning and ate breakfast together. Then they spent some time in prayer to keep them calm and patient through the hearing. They had both shed some tears during the prayer, but neither of them cared. Michelle was just so glad Chrissy was talking to her now.
They had gotten dressed and left the house slightly early to make sure they didn't arrive at the courthouse late. They both knew in their hearts that this car ride may be the very last they would ever have together, and both were secretly wishing it would last forever.
Michelle peered in the mirror and noticed dark circles under her eyes, from her lack of sleep. She had spent most of the night checking in on Chrissy, who seemed to sleep right through the night. At least one of us did. Michelle thought as she turned the corner. They could see the courthouse in the near distance. Chrissy sighed and Michelle looked over and saw Chrissy tugging anxiously on her black shirt. Michelle smiled slightly.
"Chrissy, I think you look very pretty today." She complimented as she looked at Chrissy's khaki skirt and black shirt that had always resided in the back of her closet. Chrissy had never been one for skirts. Chrissy had to roll her eyes.
"I feel so girly." She confessed with the smallest hint of a grin.
"Hate to break it to you sweetie, but you are a girl." Michelle said, and they both laughed awkwardly, but it brought them both a little bit of peace, even just for a moment.
"Hello Chrissy." A familiar voice greeted when Chrissy and Michelle entered the courthouse. Chrissy looked over and saw Monica approaching her. Chrissy looked around nervously. Monica smiled.
"Don't worry little one, everybody else can see me as well." She explained. Chrissy smiled bashfully. Michelle was following close behind.
"Hello Michelle." Monica greeted.
"Oh hey Monica. How are you?" Michelle asked politely.
"Fine, thank you. And you?" Monica asked. Michelle shrugged.
"We'll see." She turned to Chrissy. "I'll go find us a seat okay?" Chrissy nodded as Michelle disappeared into the main room. Chrissy took a deep breath and looked desperately at Monica.
"Has God told you anything?" She asked hopefully. Monica shook her head. Chrissy lowered her head, knowing that Monica would tell her to be patient and to have faith, but she didn't feel very faithful today. Monica knew exactly what Chrissy was thinking, so she didn't say it.
"How are things between you and Michelle?" Monica asked, gesturing to where Michelle had found a seat. Chrissy looked into the room and saw Michelle dabbing at her eyes with a Kleenex. That was when Chrissy lost it.
"Wonderful! Things are better than ever. We talked and it was really great and now, after today, I may never see her again! These people are heartless! They don't care about anybody's feelings! Michelle is the most important person in my life and now they want to take that away from me! And they don't even care!" She cried out angrily, as tears streamed down her face. Monica grabbed the young girl's face in her hands and made her look at the angel.
"I know you already know this, but you must have faith. You know God has your best interests at heart. That's what makes Him the Ultimate Parent. I don't know any better than you do what's going to happen today, but we cannot assume the worst. Believe in God, and tell the truth today. Just be strong and trust in God." Monica said as she watched Chrissy's tears fading, as the young girl nodded slightly.
"Okay." She said meekly as she wiped her tears away on her sleeve. Monica nodded as Chrissy entered the courtroom and joined Michelle, who was talking to a tall lady. Michelle turned and noticed Chrissy's tears immediately.
"Sweetie are you okay?" She asked. Chrissy sat down next to Michelle and nodded slightly.
"So you're Chrissy, huh? It's nice to meet you." The lady said as she extended her hand to Chrissy, who took it shyly.
"Chrissy, this is our lawyer, Ms. Rashid." Michelle introduced. Chrissy looked up at the woman with pleading eyes. Though she never verbalized it, it was almost as though Ms. Rashid knew exactly what she was thinking.
"I promise you both I will do everything I can to keep the two of you together, okay?" She said to Chrissy with a wink. Chrissy managed a small smile and nodded. Ms. Rashid smiled back and left to find her seat at the front of the courtroom. Michelle put her arm around Chrissy and squeezed her without a word. There was nothing left to do, but to have faith.
"All rise for the honourable judge Celia Hampton." A man in a dark suit stated as the select people at the hearing stood. Chrissy looked up and saw Jessica sitting at a table with her lawyer. She appeared to be confidant as the judge entered the room and took her seat, followed by everybody else. Chrissy swallowed hard and was suddenly aware of every part of her body shaking.
"We are here today to examine the case of Jessica Anderson, a 36-year-old woman who has spent the last year in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center after losing custody of her only daughter, Christina Leanne Anderson, who was 14 years old at the time of removal from the home. Jessica Anderson was reported as physically and emotionally abusive, as well as neglectful and unbalanced. We are here today to evaluate whether or not Ms. Anderson is capable of taking care of her daughter. We will decide today whether or not Ms. Anderson is fit enough to regain custody of Christina." Celia announced as she stared down at the file in front of her. Chrissy was breathing heavily as the judge eyed Ms. Rashid with a nod. Ms. Rashid stood up and faced the people.
"I'd like to call Michelle Long to the stand, please." She announced as Chrissy felt her heart leap into her throat. Michelle rubbed Chrissy's back quickly as she approached the stand. After she was sworn in, Ms. Rashid began asking her questions.
"Ms. Long, I understand that you are Chrissy's foster mother, is that correct?" Ms. Rashid asked. Michelle nodded with a smile.
"Yes, that is correct." She replied proudly.
"How long have you had her now?" Ms. Rashid asked.
"I'd say about a year."
"And how has that been?"
"Amazing, I love having her with me. It's been great getting to know her."
"I understand you were in the process of filing for adoption."
"Yes, that's true."
"So is it safe to assume then that you wanted to keep Chrissy for a more permanent basis?"
"Yes."
"Why is that, Ms. Long?"
"Well, I love her. I want to protect her and keep her safe. I want us to be a family." Michelle grew slightly teary.
"I'm sure you and Chrissy are very close."
"Yes, we are."
"I guess Chrissy tells you a lot of stuff, doesn't she?"
"Yeah, a fair bit."
"Has she ever mentioned anything about her mother, Jessica Anderson?"
"Yes, a few times."
"And, judging by what you've heard, what is your impression of Ms. Anderson?"
"Uh, well, from what Chrissy has told me, I would say she's a troubled woman who has hurt Chrissy greatly."
"And would you feel confidant that Chrissy would be safe if Ms. Anderson were granted custody?"
"I don't think so."
"Thank you Ms. Long." Ms. Rashid smiled slightly as Michelle stepped down. For the next hour, Chrissy listened to witness after witness take the stand.
"So, Monica, it is my understanding you rented a room with Ms. Anderson and her daughter a year ago, is that correct?" Andrew asked as he interrogated his fellow angel friend.
"Yes, that's correct." Monica replied, remembering the frightening nightmare that she had been assigned to a year ago.
"How would you describe the atmosphere?" Andrew asked.
"Very tense. Chrissy was always afraid to talk to me, because her mother forbade it. There was a lot of yelling on Jessica's part, and unreasonable demands placed on the young girl. Jessica would leave Chrissy alone almost every night while she went out. I don't think any 14-year-old girl should be left alone that late in the evening, especially in the neighbourhood she was living in." Monica replied.
"No, Chrissy was not emotionally well when she came to us." Wendy, Chrissy's therapist answered Ms. Rashid when it was her turn on the stand.
"You're saying that right after Chrissy was removed from the household, she was showing signs of emotional distress?" Ms. Rashid asked.
"Yes, she was very withdrawn at first, afraid to talk to anybody, and backing away from anybody who came near her. It's a mark of physical abuse that many children display quite often." Wendy replied.
"Do you think it is possible that the physical and emotional abuse Ms. Anderson bestowed upon Chrissy may have left permanent emotional distress?"
"Yes, definitely. Chrissy is a wonderful young lady, but there are still signs of depression and anxiety."
"How do you know this?"
"I am still seeing her once a week for counselling sessions at the group home."
"What do you think, in your opinion, might happen if custody was granted to Ms. Anderson?"
"Well, whether she's truly changed her ways or not, the memories Chrissy has of her mother will never go away and she may never be able to truly trust her mother."
A few other witnesses were called up to provide testimony; Sandra, Tess the social worker, a doctor from the rehabilitation clinic Jessica was released from as well as some of Jessica's old friends. Chrissy felt her stomach jolt when Ms. Rashid called up Jessica. Chrissy felt Michelle take her hand in her own and hold it gently. Chrissy felt better for a moment, until Jessica began answering Ms. Rashid's questions.
"Yes, I was released a couple of weeks ago." Jessica replied to Ms. Rashid's first question.
"And what exactly were you in rehab for, Ms. Anderson?" Ms. Rashid asked. Jessica seemed to shift nervously in her seat, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"Alcoholism and drug usage." She muttered quietly. Ms. Rashid raised an eyebrow and nodded.
"But I've changed. That's what rehab is for. I'm clean now." Jessica added, almost desperately.
"You say you've changed."
"I have. You heard the doctor. He said I've made a clean recovery."
"But does being clean make you a fit mother?"
"Yes."
"Isn't it true that there are physically and emotionally abusive mothers out there who have never laid their hands on a bottle of booze, or even came close to touching a joint?"
"Maybe, but I know myself better than anybody else. I've changed my ways completely. I'm ready to be Chrissy's mom again."
"Do you admit that you were abusive to Chrissy during her childhood and into her teenage years?"
"I hit her a couple of times. Chrissy has a big imagination. She sometimes tends to exaggerate the truth a little." Jessica said with raised eyebrows. Chrissy could feel herself growing hot with anger, as she was tempted to jump up and yell out that her mother was a liar. Michelle wrapped her arm around Chrissy to calm her down.
"How can the court be sure these mistakes won't happen again?" Ms. Rashid asked. Jessica smiled, with calm eyes.
"Everybody needs a second chance."
Chrissy continued to listen to Jessica's testimony, and she could feel her faith slipping through her fingers. Jessica was such a smooth talker; Chrissy didn't know how this was going to turn out, but she didn't feel very confidant anymore.
As Jessica stepped down, she peered over at Chrissy with a smile.
"We'll take a short recess here, and reconvene in 15 minutes to hear from our final witness, Christina Anderson. Then a decision will be reached." Celia Hampton tapped her gavel gently and left the room.
Chrissy felt like her whole world could collapse in just a matter of moments.
