Chapter 10 - His Version of the Truth
Travis's petition described him as a concerned husband.
It described me as emotional.
Unstable.
Controlling.
He claimed I refused transportation to the hospital.
He claimed I demanded that he stay home even though I was experiencing only mild discomfort.
He claimed I became enraged when he left briefly to help his elderly mother.
Deborah was fifty-eight.
She attended spin classes three times a week.
The petition became more absurd with every paragraph.
Then came the sentence that made Cassandra grin.
I was never informed by any medical professional that my wife required immediate evaluation.
The hospital call destroyed that claim.
The recording destroyed several others.
The doorbell camera destroyed the rest.
Cassandra leaned back.
“People lie constantly during family disputes.”
“But judges do not like lies supported by sworn declarations.”
“What happens now?”
“Emergency hearing tomorrow.”
“I’m still hospitalized.”
“You can appear remotely.”
I looked toward the NICU.
“I don't want my children dragged into a war.”
“Neither do I.”
Cassandra said.
“But Travis already started one.”
The hearing took place the following afternoon.
I appeared from my hospital room.
Travis sat beside his attorney.
Deborah sat behind him.
Richard was there too.
Lauren wasn't.
The judge listened quietly while Travis's lawyer described a misunderstanding.
Then Cassandra played the recording.
My own screams filled the courtroom speakers.
I closed my eyes.
Hearing them again was almost unbearable.
Then Deborah's voice.
First-time mothers always overreact to get attention.
Then mine.
Please, Travis.
Something is wrong.
Then Travis.
Don’t you dare move until I come back.
Silence followed.
Cassandra played the audio from the nurse's documented call.
She showed the front-door footage.
Then she presented the financial transfers.
Travis looked smaller with each piece of evidence.
The judge finally removed his glasses.
“Mr. Brooks.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Did you leave your thirty-eight-week pregnant wife experiencing contractions five minutes apart?”
Travis swallowed.
“Yes.”
“Did you receive a hospital call advising immediate evaluation?”
“Yes.”
“Did you return home?”
“No.”
“Did you lock the residence when you left?”
“Yes.”
The judge stared at him.
Then came the question Travis could not escape.
“Why?”
Travis looked toward Deborah.
Cassandra noticed.
So did the judge.
“Mr. Brooks.”
The judge repeated.
“I asked you.”
Travis looked down.
“My mother said Natalie was manipulating me.”
Deborah's face went rigid.
The judge leaned back.
“Your mother was not married to Mrs. Brooks.”
“No.”
“Your mother was not carrying your children.”
“No.”
“Your mother was not the patient.”
“No.”
The judge's voice became colder.
“Yet you chose her judgment over your wife's medical emergency.”
Travis whispered.
“Yes.”
That afternoon, I received temporary sole custody.
Travis received no unsupervised contact.
But as the hearing ended, Detective Ortiz entered my hospital room.
She was carrying handcuffs.
May you like
And she wasn't there for me.
---
