SHE’S NOT GOING TO VETO the petition.
That’s my first incredible thought—that my case isn’t going down in flames yet, even after Julia’s testimony.
My second thought is that Julia is as ripped up about this case and what it’s done to Anna as I am, exceptshe’s put it out there on display for everyone to see.
Judge has chosen this moment to become a colossal pain in the ass. He sinks his teeth into my coat and startstugging, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to break before I hear Julia finish.
“Ms. Romano,” DeSalvo asks, “what’s your recommendation to the court?”
“I don’t know,” she says softly. “I’m sorry. This is the first time I’ve ever served as a guardian ad litem andbeen unable to reach a recommendation, and I know that’s not acceptable. But on one hand I have Brian andSara Fitzgerald, who have done nothing but make choices throughout the course of both their daughters’ livesout of love. Put that way, they certainly don’t seem like the wrong decisions—even if they aren’t the rightdecisions for both of those daughters anymore.”
She turns to Anna, and beside me I can feel her sit a little straighter, prouder. “On the other hand, I haveAnna, who after thirteen years is standing up for herself—even though it may mean losing the sister sheloves.” Julia shakes her head. “It’s a Solomon’s choice, Your Honor. But you’re not asking me to split a babyin half. You’re asking me to split a family.”
When I feel a tug on my other arm I start to slap the dog away again, but then realize that this time, it’s Anna.
“Okay,” she whispers.
Judge DeSalvo excuses Julia from the stand. “Okay what?” I whisper back.
“Okay I’ll talk,” Anna says.
I stare at her in disbelief. Judge is whining now, and batting his nose against my thigh, but I can’t risk arecess. All it will take for Anna to change her mind is a split second. “You sure?”
But she doesn’t answer me. She stands up, drawing all attention in the courtroom to herself. “JudgeDeSalvo?” Anna takes a deep breath. “I have something to say.
That’s my first incredible thought—that my case isn’t going down in flames yet, even after Julia’s testimony.
My second thought is that Julia is as ripped up about this case and what it’s done to Anna as I am, exceptshe’s put it out there on display for everyone to see.
Judge has chosen this moment to become a colossal pain in the ass. He sinks his teeth into my coat and startstugging, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to break before I hear Julia finish.
“Ms. Romano,” DeSalvo asks, “what’s your recommendation to the court?”
“I don’t know,” she says softly. “I’m sorry. This is the first time I’ve ever served as a guardian ad litem andbeen unable to reach a recommendation, and I know that’s not acceptable. But on one hand I have Brian andSara Fitzgerald, who have done nothing but make choices throughout the course of both their daughters’ livesout of love. Put that way, they certainly don’t seem like the wrong decisions—even if they aren’t the rightdecisions for both of those daughters anymore.”
She turns to Anna, and beside me I can feel her sit a little straighter, prouder. “On the other hand, I haveAnna, who after thirteen years is standing up for herself—even though it may mean losing the sister sheloves.” Julia shakes her head. “It’s a Solomon’s choice, Your Honor. But you’re not asking me to split a babyin half. You’re asking me to split a family.”
When I feel a tug on my other arm I start to slap the dog away again, but then realize that this time, it’s Anna.
“Okay,” she whispers.
Judge DeSalvo excuses Julia from the stand. “Okay what?” I whisper back.
“Okay I’ll talk,” Anna says.
I stare at her in disbelief. Judge is whining now, and batting his nose against my thigh, but I can’t risk arecess. All it will take for Anna to change her mind is a split second. “You sure?”
But she doesn’t answer me. She stands up, drawing all attention in the courtroom to herself. “JudgeDeSalvo?” Anna takes a deep breath. “I have something to say.