“Ms. Pierce, I have already warned you.”
I approached the table and faced the judge.
“I apologize for arriving late, Your Honor. The boys asked to come.”
Judge Beckett studied them carefully.
“Children usually should not be present for proceedings like this.”
“I understand,” I said. “But their father has already told them I left our family, that I have no way to support them, and that they will soon be living with him and Ms. Pierce. I did not want them to hear only one version of the truth.”
Gavin straightened in his chair.
“That is an unfair accusation.”
I did not look at him.
The judge asked a court officer to seat the boys nearby, far enough from the attorneys but close enough to see both parents.
Then she allowed Philip to continue.
