“Why? What’s going on?” I asked. KO had told me that Remy had filed a petition to get sole custody of Nina, but that’s all I knew about it.
“My mom is trying to take away my dad’s right to see me,” she said, as her voice cracked and tears started to well up. “I need you to come explain what happened when I ran away and help me and my dad!”
“Nina, I’m not on the witness list,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t think the judge or your dad would appreciate me showing up and telling my side of the story.”
“But you know what happened! It was all my fault!” she cried. “I’m going to testify, but I need your help. Please, Emily!”
I sat at my desk, turning the situation over in my mind and wondering whether going with Nina to the courthouse would make things better or worse for her. I’d given up on reconciling with Blake, but I didn’t want to make his life any harder than I already had, and I definitely didn’t want to contribute to him losing custody of his daughter.
“I don’t think this is a good idea, Nina,” I said, shaking my head slowly. “I think your mom and dad are perfectly capable of hammering out an agreement that will allow you to see them both, and that the judge will make the best decision for all of you.”
“Emily!” Nina wailed. “If you don’t come talk to the judge, she’s going to make me live with my mother until I’m 18!”
“I seriously doubt any rational judge would ignore what you want, Nina,” I said, trying to reason with her. “It’s not good for any of you.”
“You have no idea what my mother is capable of,” Nina pleaded. “I need your help! Please!”
“Nina, I’m not going to insert myself into your parents’ custody case,” I said firmly. “It’s not welcome or appropriate.”
Nina stared at me for what felt like an eternity before turning and walking out the door without saying another word. I knew I’d let her down, but I also knew that showing up wouldn’t make a bit of difference. No judge would listen to what I had to say.
I finished grading the History papers that I needed to return the next day, and then packed up my things and got ready to go home. When I pulled my phone out of my purse, I saw that Blake had called me around the same time Nina had come to my classroom. When I punched the voicemail box and listened to the message, I knew that what I’d told Nina had been wrong.
“Emily, I’m sorry,” Blake said. “I miss you.”
Without thinking about what I was doing, I grabbed my bags and ran to my car.
Chapter Forty-Three
Blake
I paced the hallway of the courthouse as I waited for the judge to call our case. I could still feel the effects of the alcohol I’d consumed the night before, but I’d done my best to counter them with a cold shower. At my lawyer’s urging, I’d put on the only suit I owned and was trying to look like the upstanding citizen and outstanding parent I was supposed to be.
My lawyer had advised me to say as little as possible and to bring character witnesses if I could. I’d asked Chief and Tony to come testify on my behalf, but I’d avoided calling Emily. I wasn’t entirely sure if it was because I thought she wasn’t a good character witness or if I just didn’t want to open the door when I had no idea where it would lead.
I wanted her back, but I felt fairly certain that when she’d told me to get out, she’d meant for good.
When Remy and her lawyer showed up, I watched as they marched down the hall toward the judge’s chambers and went inside. It occurred to me that the deck was already stacked against me. Remy had filed this paperwork so quickly, and I was now certain that she knew she was going to win this fight long before this. She’d been waiting for me to screw up so that she could bring the issue before a judge and cut me out of Nina’s life. She’d finally get her revenge on me for leaving her.
I sighed heavily and ran a hand through my hair as I tried to think of any way I might be able to influence the proceedings so that I wouldn’t lose custody of Nina. I couldn’t come up with a single new idea, and the situation seemed hopeless.
Ten minutes before we were due to enter the courtroom, Nina came running down the hall as if her life depended on it.
“Dad! Dad! You have to call Emily and tell her to come here!” she yelled.
“Nina, slow down, what are you talking about?” I said, as my daughter flung herself into my arms, nearly knocking me off my feet.
“Dad, you have to call Emily,” she pleaded, as she looked up at me. “You have to tell her you’re sorry!”
“I did call her,” I said wearily. “She didn’t answer her phone.”
“If you call her, she’ll forgive you, Dad!” Nina urged. “She thinks you’re mad at her, but she wants to help! Please call her, Dad! I don’t want to live with Mom full-time! I want to be with you!”
“Nina,” I sighed, feeling torn between doing as she asked and not wanting to disappoint her when things didn’t turn out the way she hoped they would. I knew what we were up against — Remy and her high-powered lawyer had curried favor with the judge and the deck was decidedly stacked against me. I was not going to win this round.
“Dad, please, just do it,” Nina said softly. “If you love me, just do it.”
“That’s not fair,” I protested.