“It’s not easy. You’re more of a mother than Veronica … is that bad for me to say?”
His words filled my heart. “I love her,” I said, wishing I could tell him I loved him too. “I’m sure Veronica loves her too. She’s just a different sort of mom.”
He sighed. “She was always a different sort. I can’t say I wished I hadn’t been with her as I wouldn’t have Maisie, but I can see now that she wasn’t the right person for me.”
“She’s beautiful and sexy. I can’t imagine any man, especially one in college, not being taken in by that.”
He turned to me and pulled me to him. “You’re not wrong. But now I see the difference. She is a beautiful woman, but the way she is now, that takes work. Not all of it is real. You on the other hand …” He cupped my face with his hand and looked into my eyes. “All of you is real. And more beautiful, inside and out.”
My heart ached, wishing he meant he loved me. Wishing I could tell him all that was in my heart. Instead, I smiled. “If you’re wanting to get lucky, all you have to do is ask.”
He laughed. “Will you fuck me right here?”
“See? That wasn’t so hard,” I said as I pulled him back on top of me.
The following week, Maisie and I did some shopping, picking up a few household items as well as some outdoor summer toys. We entered a discount superstore, passing an area that took photos. For a moment, I stopped, wishing Dylan and Maisie and I could take a family photo.
“I had my picture taken,” Maisie said.
“Oh?” I took her hand, continuing our journey into the store.
“My mommy took me.”
“I bet it’s a pretty picture,” I said, trying to keep from being jealous that Veronica got the family portrait instead of me
.
“I guess.”
We finished our shopping and later we made bubbles in the backyard with the huge wands we’d bought. Some days, like this day, it was easy to forget that my life was fake and that a serious custody battle was being waged.
Friday was our first court appearance. Because Dylan needed to appear to be a family man, I went along, as did Leo for Veronica.
The tension between Dylan and Veronica was so thick, it felt like it had sucked all the air from the room.
“Is it right that since the divorce, Mr. Hyatt has granted Ms. Tisdale visits whenever she wanted?” the judge asked. She looked to be about my mother’s age, and I hoped she was just as wise. Would a female judge be more likely than a male judge to overcome bias about mothers being the best parent and rule in favor of a father?
“That’s correct, your honor,” Dylan’s attorney said. “When Ms. Tisdale showed up again after nearly a year of being gone, he granted a visit and has continued to do so even during this custody case.”
I heard an audible sound of annoyance from Veronica’s side at the lawyer’s reminder that she’d been gone for a year.
“In light of the amicable relationship in the past, I wonder why this wasn’t taken to mediation first?”
“Ms. Tisdale is asking for sole custody,” the other attorney said. “In my experience, mediation wouldn’t work in a case like this.”
The judge stared at Veronica’s table. “Why sole? I don’t see anything here suggesting Mr. Hyatt is doing a bad job. What I do see is that Ms. Tisdale has had limited visits. A request for sole custody doesn’t make sense.”
I was glad that the judge was seeing reason. That had to bode well for Dylan.
“Ms. Tisdale is now remarried and settled. She’s ready to take on the responsibilities of being Maisie Hyatt’s mother,” the lawyer said.
“Again, I don’t see anything suggesting Mr. Hyatt isn't responsible. Why not joint custody?”
“Ms. Tisdale has some concerns about Mr. Hyatt’s lifestyle,” Veronica’s slick New York City lawyer said.
“What the hell?” Dylan hissed.
His lawyer pressed his hand on Dylan’s arm to keep him calm. “Your honor, if Ms. Tisdale has an issue with Mr. Hyatt, why isn’t it in the court documents? The truth is, she isn’t in a position to know Mr. Hyatt’s lifestyle, as she’s only seen him and the child a few times over the last three years.”