Full Court Press Page 10

  “Ms. Fran, I’m sure you’re aware of your reasoning for being in this meeting today?” our superintendent speaks. He has an authoritative voice for an aging man. He’s been the super at our school since I was a student here.

  “Yes, I do.” My response is short, but truthfully, I have no fight in me for this one. I agree with the school district and their need to release me. Students should not be witness to any type of behavior like this, and sadly while I wasn’t in charge of the behavior being released, it still was.

  “You understand our need to terminate your contract, effective immediately, then?”

  “I do, sir. I’d like to say I’m sorry for my behavior and I think you all know I do not condone this type of behavior. I will clean my classroom out immediately and turn my keys in when I’m finished. Thank you for four great years at this wonderful school district and I apologize.” I stand immediately, fearful of tears breaking past the barrier I’m trying like hell to keep intact.

  “Ms. Fran.” I turn at the voice of one of our board members. “It has also been brought to our attention that your son, Carson, has been telling other children that Mr. Prince is his father.” He shuts the file in front of him and turns his full attention to me. Where is he going with this? “If I were you, I’d take a step back and really think about your parenting and lifestyle choices.”

  Did he really?

  “I was unaware of Carson referring to Landon as his father,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “However, I don’t feel my parenting choices are truly any of your or the rest of the board members’ business.”

  “You understand, Kelsi, you’ve known most of us your entire life. A man like Landon Prince won’t be a suitable father figure for Carson and he probably wouldn’t make a faithful husband.”

  I begin to speak but choose to live and let live. My words won’t change their mind, just like theirs don’t change mine.

  I turn on my heel and exit the boardroom, beyond furious that they felt it necessary to take my parenting into discussion. I had no clue Carson had been telling the kids that his father was Landon.

  Cleaning out my classroom is quicker than I expected, my students are still at recess with their substitute. I only take the essential things I need and decide to leave most of my things for the new teacher who will be taking my spot for the remainder of the year. As I’m packing my things away in the trunk of my car, I think about how differently my life has changed since meeting Landon.

  I know it isn’t fair to blame him for this turn of events, but it’s hard not to imagine what I’d be doing if I hadn’t went down this path. But then I think of how sad and miserable my life, well our lives really, was before he came into the picture and I smile.

  It’s noon, which means the traffic will be slightly insane for the lunch hour, so I choose to sit in my car a few more minutes in hope of beating some of that. My phone lights up in the cupholder. Without looking I know exactly who it’s from.

  Landon: Hi babe. I really need to hear your voice. I’m going insane over here. I hadn’t realized how much I’d fallen for you until you weren’t there anymore. I miss Carson like crazy. I’m so sorry that you are having to go through all of this and my attorney is working on making sure Sandra pays for this all. Please call me when you get the chance.

  Me: Hi. I’m sorry I haven’t called. Things have really sucked for me. I feel completely embarrassed, but it isn’t fair to keep punishing you for something that wasn’t your fault to begin with. I’m sorry I’ve hurt you. We both miss you so much, Carson asks about you every night. When will you get home from this series?

  Landon: I’ll be home tonight.

  Me: Come over? Carson will be with my mom and I think it’ll give us time to discuss everything that has happened.

  Landon: I’ll be there as soon as my plane lands.

  I click my phone off and start my car to head home. I’m suddenly nervous again for Landon to come.

  Chapter Twenty

  It’s nearly 7:00 when Landon gets to my house. He’s still in his suit that he must wear to games. He walks right in my front door, not bothering to knock beforehand. My hair is pulled up on top of my head in a messy bun and I’ve removed my makeup I had on for the day. I’m in an oversized T-shirt and tiny little sleep shorts. I’ve been on the couch for an hour painting my toenails to pass the time.

  Landon kicks off his shoes by the front door like he has so many times before and shrugs out of his suit jacket and hangs it on the coat rack. He sits beside me but not too closely. His unease is visible, and I hate myself for making him feel this way.

  “I was fired today,” I say without taking my eyes from his. His entire demeanor changes, he’s shocked then immediately pissed off.

  “What the fuck?” His hands pull together in front of him as his elbows rest on his knees. “You’ve got to be kidding me?” I shake my head and turn my attention back to my toes. “Hey.” His voice is soft and caring and draws my attention back to him. “I promise I will take care of this.”

  “I know, but you know I got to thinking. She wanted this to happen. There were a million other ways that she could have went about it, but this is what she wanted.” Landon is confused and is about to ask what I mean when I cut him off. “I mean you and me. She wanted us to fight like this and to break up.” Realization hits him then and the anger rises again.

  “I will ruin her career. I promise you. I don’t know how this all happened, but I promise you she won’t get near you again.” I lean in and press my lips against his. His lips are warm, and I’ve missed this so much over the last week.

  “There’s something else.” I lean back and pull my knees to my chest, hugging them closely. “Kyle has filed for full custody of Carson.”

  “What? Is that even possible?” He scoots closer to me. When his weight shifts, the couch dips and I fall into him but don’t move. His arm slides around me and I’m engulfed in his scent. It puts me at ease.

  “I’m not sure. I mean, I’m almost positive that he can’t because on paper he abandoned his child, but it’s all still so scary and I have no idea what to tell Carson. Regardless, if he really wanted to press me, I could countersue for the 5 years of child support he hasn’t paid.”

  “Don’t tell him, not yet. Maybe there is nothing to get worked up about and the judge will laugh in his face. He should anyways.” He pulls his phone from his pocket and pulls up a text message.

  “What are you doing?” I ask, but I have a feeling I already know.

  “I’m texting my attorney to get to work on this also. He’s not taking him from us.” A tear slips down my cheek and I move quickly to wipe it. I hate taking handouts, but I really have no choice right now. I just lost my job and everything that has happened in the media could easily sway a judge’s decision to deem me as an unfit parent.

  “Thank you.” Tears slip down and run over my lips. Landon presses his lips softly against mine and kisses them away. He picks me up, cradling me against his chest, and moves me down the hall to my bedroom. He slowly places me in my bed and moves back to undress himself and climbs in behind me. He moves my body so it’s perfectly aligned with his and holds me closely. I slowly drift off to the best sleep I’ve had since the last time I was in his arms.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  I’m sitting in the office of Landon’s attorney, waiting for him to walk through the doors. Landon was unable to come today because of a mandatory meeting with the team and I refused to move the appointment.

  “Ms. Fran. How are you?” A man walks through the doors in a well-fitted suit. He has black hair and bright-blue eyes and stands around 5’8 if I were to guess. He moves around the chair to shake my hand before leaning against his desk and crossing his feet and arms.

  “I could be better,” I joke. He cracks a sad grin and it’s then that I realize how much pity I receive from this entire situation.

  “Legally, your ex doesn’t have a leg to stand on. He abandoned your son at birth, corre
ct?” He grabs a file from his desk and begins flipping through the pages.

  “That’s correct. I hadn’t seen him since the day I went into labor until a few months ago. He has still not made contact with Carson or me in the five years since.”

  “Do you have proof of this?” He asks and my stomach sinks. I don’t, I should have kept up with it, but I was young and heartbroken and wasn’t thinking straight. “That alone will get him on abandonment if you could prove it. The only thing I am concerned about is the recent light of behavior that has hit the media like a storm.” He closes the file and places it under his arm and crosses his arms once again. “This could make a judge reconsider your parenting method. However, the judge we are going in front of is a very reasonable man and I think with what we can present him with will be more than enough to keep Carson in your sole custody. We will need to provide proof of a stable home life, which will just consist of a member of your local DFS coming and doing a home study with you.”

  “Okay, how soon can we do that?”

  “I will call today and set an appointment with them. They’ll contact you after that.” He holds his hand out again for me and I stand to shake it this time. I turn to the door and, as I open it, he stops me. “Everything will be fine, have faith in the system.” I smile, nod, and head for the exit, feeling relief for the first time.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  It’s court day. I’ve been dreading this for so long. I’ve done all the appropriate steps to ensure that I am covered for this day, and my home study was completed with no issues. The day the attorney called and told me he had a date scheduled and would need Carson to attend, I cried for hours in Landon’s arms. He held me the entire time, never letting go.

  Carson still doesn’t understand what today really is, he just knows his biological father will be present and the judge may ask him questions.

  Our attorney didn’t think Landon should be present in the courtroom today, so I've asked him to just stay home instead of waiting in the hall and we will come to him once it’s finished.

  He, of course, didn’t agree, and is sitting beside me on a bench outside the courtroom. His knees have bounced since we sat down and he’s been squeezing my hand for the past ten minutes.

  “Landon, calm down,” I whisper. My parents sit on my other side, talking dinosaurs with Carson.

  “I can’t. I’ve tried.” He looks to me. “If that son of a bitch thinks he is taking our boy, he is sadly mistaken.” My heart melts at his comment about Carson, but truly I’m a little nervous about today.

  What if Kyle does win? I don’t think he’s prepared and I’m terrified for my son to be subject to any type of life with a man who originally didn’t want him.

  The entrance doors to the courthouse open. Kyle steps inside, cocky as always. His attorney is by his side as they walk in our direction.

  This time I’m the one squeezing Landon’s hand. Carson looks up and stands to move between my legs. He obviously feels the tension in the room and is scared.

  Kyle stops in front of Carson and bends down so he’s eye level with him. My heart is beating rapidly.

  “Hi, kid. What’s your name?” I scoff at his question. Is he fucking serious? He filed for custody of a kid he can’t even remember the name of? I told him in the voicemail I left in the hospital all those years ago.

  “Carson,” my son says shyly. “My momma picked it out.” I melt at my son’s sweet voice and it semi puts me at ease.

  “Well, cool.” Kyle looks less than enthused. “Can I ask you a question, Carson?”

  My senses are on high alert. He’s about to say something completely out of line and I can feel it coming. I’m about to step in and tell him enough contact until we meet with the judge when the words come out of his mouth.

  “You ready to come live with me, kid?” My mother gasps and anger hits me immediately. I’m about to shuffle Carson to my mother when Landon releases the hand he had on my leg. I look up to realize he is nose to nose with Kyle.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” Landon asks. “Asking a kid that shit when he doesn’t even know who you are.”

  “Listen, you may be boning this whore, but you ain’t my kid’s daddy.” I’m prepared to kick Kyle in the balls, but Landon places his hand out to stop me.

  “Don’t you ever, fucking talk about her again. You may be his biological father, but you haven’t done shit for that boy.” He glances to wear my parents have created distance between us and are occupying Carson so he doesn’t overhear.

  “That all stops today. He will be coming home with me, I've made sure of it.” He smiles and walks towards where Carson is standing. My breath hitches at the closeness.

  “Looks like you should pack your bags, kid, you’ll be moving in with daddy.” He laughs and I feel sick. I step between Kyle and Carson, forcing Kyle to raise his eyes and stand.

  “You’ll see.” He winks at me and I feel physically sick.

  “It’ll be okay.” Landon says as he steps in front of me, his hands frame my face lifting slightly so I'm forced to look at him. He places a soft kiss to my nose.

  The doors to the court room open, an officer looks in our direction.

  “Fran versus James,” our names are called, I glance to Kyle, who is at the end of the hallway with his attorney. I’m nervous now, the idea of walking into that courtroom and possibly walking out with shared custody of my son is sickening to me.

  Landon’s attorney stops beside our small group. Carson grabs my hand.

  “Kelsi, we will have Carson go first and answer any and all questions. He will come back out here with your parents and Landon. After he is finished, you and Kyle will have your turns on the stand.” He nods and step back with his arm outstretched for me to go on. I squeeze Landon’s hand once more, not able to form words as I walk away.

  Kyle and I are asked to stay in a small room as our attorneys take Carson inside to speak with the judge. My heart is breaking that my son has to deal with any of this. Kyle hasn’t stopped staring at me since we were left alone, but it’s a cocky stare. He is so confident that he will win today. I cannot figure out what his motive is for all of this.

  “So, let’s just be real,” he says. I’m sitting at a small table in the corner of the room with my arms and legs crossed. I look him directly in the eyes, curious as to what he could possibly be real about. “I’ll stop all of this, if you give me what I want.”

  I’m baffled, but I humor him anyways.

  “Which is?” I ask, leaning forward slightly.

  “Twenty thousand dollars.” He says it so matter of factly, that I almost think I didn’t hear him correctly.

  “You are doing all of this for money?” I ask.

  “Well yeah. What am I going to do with a kid, Kelsi? I’m struggling and in trouble,” he shares, moving across the room, closer to me.

  “What kind of trouble?” I’m almost too afraid to hear the answer.

  “I owe some people.” He almost looks embarrassed when he says it.

  “I’m not giving you money,” I say. I don’t have twenty thousand dollars to give. But, wait. Landon does. “Are you doing this because of Landon?”

  “He has more money than he knows what to do with, Kelsi. He can stand to share a few bucks.”

  “A few bucks? Kyle, you are asking for twenty grand! That’s a lot of money.”

  Carson enters the room, cutting me off from saying more. I stand and move to him as he walks directly toward me.

  “Hey, buddy. How’d it go? Were you big and brave?” I ask.

  “I sure was. Judge Clemson said I was a big boy.” The smile on his face lights mine up.

  “You sure are.” I wrap him in a hug and kiss the top of his head. “Go sit with Mimi, Peepaw, and Landon. I’ll be out shortly.”

  “Okay, Momma.” He runs to the door. I turn to Landon’s lawyer and ask to speak with him privately before we go in. He nods and ushers me out of the room and into a private room adjacent from the
one we were just in.

  “Kyle said something to me while you were with Carson.” He nods for me to continue. “He asked me for twenty thousand dollars.” His brows rise nearly to his hairline in surprise. “I’m assuming it’s because he thinks Landon will give him the money, but I wouldn’t allow it. He said he’d drop everything if I gave him the money.”

  “Did he say why he wanted the money?” he asks as he’s writing the information down.

  “All he said was that he owed some people money, he didn’t elaborate and I didn’t have the chance to ask him before Carson came back in.”

  “Okay, let’s go win this case.” He smiles and holds the door open for me.

  We enter the courtroom. It’s navy and brown, set up the way you’d imagine a courtroom would be. The judge steps out once we are in our places, and asks us to please sit. My nerves are shot and I'm shaking from being so anxious.

  “We are gathered for the matter of Carson Fran in a custody case with the biological father and the biological mother. Present in the courtroom is the petitioner, Mr. James, along with his attorney, Mr. Payne. The defendant, Ms. Fran, and her attorney, Mr. Spence. The court has appointed a guardian ad litem to ensure the child’s best interest is heard.” He pauses, looking at the screen in front of him. “The petitioner will present.”

  “Thank you, your honor.” Mr. Payne stands, and moves toward the judge. “Your honor, I would like to call to the stand, Ms. Fran.”

  Mr. Spence leans over and tells me not to worry and keep my answers short. I nod, standing to walk toward the stand. Once I’m sworn in, I try to relax my nerves. Glancing to where Kyle is sitting, I see he looks so smug and I wonder how I ever found him charming.