and I laugh too, and it broke the strange mood.
Unfortunately, when we all turned to see what had made her laugh, we were just in time to watch Uncle, Diesel’s rooster, climb atop the fence post surrounding the chicken coop and perch there to watch as, one by one, his harem jumped the fence and started pecking the yard.
Terry frowned.
Damn it all.
Diesel sighed, and I put a comforting hand on his arm.
“Look, I can’t lie,” Terry said abruptly. “I like you both. You seem like really good guys, and it’s clear you love Marigold and each other.”
I bit my lip and had to forcibly restrain my eyes from seeking Diesel’s.
“Your house is safe,” he continued. “The baby’s well cared for, and I’m sure she’d do well here.” He hesitated.
“I feel like there’s a ‘but’ coming,” Diesel said. He grabbed my hand in his and threaded our fingers together. I held on tight.
Terry nodded. “You’ve gotta understand, Hunt and Brenda Kensington are not only wealthy, they’re well connected. They can provide her everything you can and more besides. A college education, a trust fund, private tutors, summer camp.”
“And a sterile McMansion where she’s constantly reminded of how much she owes them and not allowed to step a toe out of line.” Diesel sounded disgusted. He rubbed a hand over his forehead. “It’s like watching what happened to Beth all over again.”
“I’m sorry,” Terry said sincerely. “Look, I’m not saying that’s the way it’s gonna shake out for sure. I’m writing up my notes impartially, and the judge will make the final call. I just wanted to… to warn you, I guess. The Kensingtons have a lot of money, and they’re really motivated. They’re not gonna let this drop. Maybe consider working out a custody agreement that gives you visitation, Mr. Church. I think right now you’d be in a position to get that.” The implication was that if he pushed the issue, he might not be in that position later.
Diesel’s face crumpled, but he nodded once. “I can’t say I’m surprised. This isn’t too far off from what Stewie’s said in the past. I’m not giving up, though. I love her. She’s my flesh and blood, and taking care of her was the last thing Beth asked of me. I have to at least try.”
“But consider Marigold,” Terry encouraged. “Consider what having that stable environment sooner than later would mean for her future.”
Diesel’s eyes burned and he turned to look at Marigold, who was babbling happily, completely unaware that her wonderful, selfless uncle was about to slice his heart into pieces because Terry the Tool was suggesting that might be best for her.
“Screw that!” I cried. “There is no one more capable of taking care of this baby than you, Diesel. And Terry, if you look at this man and see a ‘nice enough’ guy, I encourage you to open your eyes. He’s not ‘nice enough,’ he’s the best person I’ve ever met. Every person who’s ever met him loves him. Bikers, church ladies, famous sculptors, you name it. And we don’t love him because he’s ‘nice enough.’ Pfft. We love him because deep at the core of his being beats the pure heart of a man who strives to do right even when it causes him all kinds of trouble.”
I clasped a hand to my chest passionately. “This is a man who doesn’t give up on people or let them down when they need him. And you came here today to give him a choice like freakin’ Solomon? You’re telling him that if he loves the baby, he’ll give her into the care of people he truly believes will break her spirit, even as they pad her trust fund? Why? Because he runs a salvage yard? Because he’s chosen to adorn himself with these beautiful tattoos?”
I shook my head vehemently. “No. No, Terry. Absolutely not. He will not take that deal. We will not take that deal. Because I am not going to give up on him or let him down when he needs me. You know who I am, right? Who my uncle is? Diesel didn’t want me to use my money to help him get a good lawyer. He likes to believe that he can win this fight on his own because other people are as good and trustworthy as he is. But hear me now: I am not going to let him lose custody of Marigold. No matter how long it takes, no how much money it