unfavorable resolution.”
Maddy glared at him.
“Frankie,” Mr. Wittaker said. “Let’s go to my office while they sort this out.”
“Sure thing,” I said and stood.
“Don’t you dare,” Maddy yelled as she rose to her feet and slapped her hand against the table. “I won’t be ignored like this or set aside while you let others do the talking for you. That apartment is not in your name. Nor is that car. I can take both away from you just like that.” She snapped her fingers. “You wouldn’t have anything without me. This tantrum of yours has gone on long enough. I am not changing my life just to make you happy.”
“Ms. Curtis,” Mr. Stevens tried again.
“When I want you to speak, I’ll tell you,” she snapped at him, and I almost felt sorry for the guy.
Almost.
“Mr. Wittaker?”
My attorney glanced at me, and I said, “Could you please express my regrets to Mr. Stevens, and I really do hope he’s charging her through the nose for every hour he has to put up with her.”
The twinkle was back in Wittaker’s eyes, and he inclined his head. “I can take care of that. Why don’t you head to my office?” He motioned to the door, and I nodded.
“If you walk out that door, you’re going to regret it—”
“Ms. Curtis,” Wittaker interrupted. “That will be quite enough. Understand that while Mr. Stevens may be your attorney and I am Frankie’s attorney, we are both sworn officers of the court and I will not stand idly by while you threaten or try to intimidate my client.”
I didn’t leave, I probably should have, but I kept my back to them as I listened. I wanted to hear this.
“How dare you?” Maddy demanded.
“I dare because I have ample evidence of a lifetime of gross neglect and emotional abuse. The case for abandonment can and has been made.”
“Excuse me?”
“Ms. Curtis.” Mr. Stevens must really want to earn those hourly fees. “This isn’t doing your case any good.”
“If you’re not going to help me then why are you here?”
I bet he had to be asking himself that question.
“As I was saying,” Mr. Wittaker continued. “I’ve given Mr. Stevens a copy of our brief that was filed with the court. The evidence was compelling enough for the judge to grant the temporary emancipation order. We have received a court date for the first week of March.”
We had?
“If you have a brief you intend to file in opposition, you can file that at will and have this office served. I believe it would be in the best interest of my client to limit all contact with you…”
“Well, in that case, I’ll just have my car retrieved and notify the apartment complex that an unattended minor is living there and that I have moved out. Granted, I’ll have to pay the breaking of the lease fee, but that’s a small price to pay if it encourages my child to speak to me.” She let out a wet little choked sound, and since my back was safely to them, I rolled my eyes. “I understand I’ve made mistakes, but how can I begin to fix them if she won’t even speak to me?”
“I’m sorry,” Mr. Stevens said. “Maybe give us fifteen minutes, and we can try again?”
“Of course.” Wittaker turned, and he touched my back lightly as he motioned me ahead of him. Voice low, he murmured, “Just keep walking…”
Maddy’s voice rose and an actual sob broke from her.
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” I muttered as I got to the door. “Everything has to be a damn drama. This isn’t about me,” I told Wittaker, and fuck her if she heard me. “This is because she can’t get her way. Everything she accuses me of is what she’s doing.”
Wittaker gave me a razor-thin smile and an approving nod, but his tone was almost conciliatory. “I understand, but that’s why we’re going to give her attorney time to get her under control. Perhaps we should look into some psychological evaluations.”
I loved this man. It was official. I think next to Jeremy, he was my favorite person ever to work for Archie.
“You wouldn’t mind going to see one just for the purposes of the case?” He knew damn good and well I was seeing a psychologist, but I got it.
“Not at all, though I should warn you…” I turned to glance back at him ostensibly as we reached the door, but I met Maddy’s gaze and ignored the well of artful tears. “Curtises don’t do therapy. Though,