(Winona)When I fling it open, there stands Anne, holding Abby’s hand. Lisa is right behind them. My breath catches in my throat as I take in the sight of my baby girl, looking even taller in the week I haven’t seen her.Her eyes are wide with a mixture of confusion and relief. But I feel her hesitancy in seeing me. What she witnessed at Palisades Park must have scared her so much.I kneel down and the tears are rolling down my face. “Hi Sweety. I’ve missed you. I’m sorry I scared you.”“Mommy!” Abby cries, breaking free from Anne’s grip and launching herself into my arms. I feel her tears against my cheek as her little arms grip me like there’s no tomorrow.I wrap her in the tightest hug I can manage without breaking her in half. My heart races as I hold her close, feeling her little heart beating against mine. “Oh, Abby, I’ve missed you so, so much,” I whisper, my voice choked with emotion.Abby clings to me, her small body trembling. “I missed you too, Mommy. Are you okay? Why can
(Jayden)“Daddy! I saw Mommy. I miss her.” Abby cries out when she comes in the door with Anne. My heart goes out to her, but I must maintain this façade.I scoop up Abby and hug her. “I’m glad you got to see Mommy.”Anne watches me closely. She’s vehemently loyal to Winona and Abby. So Winona is back in the townhouse. Good. I know she’s under house arrest until the case is over.There’s no chance of her doing anything to break those terms and I know she’s safe. No one can get to her there. It’s been difficult being back here with Ashlyn and I’m not leaving Abby alone with her. Anne sleeps in her room and goes everywhere with her.This confession thing better work because I don’t see how we can prove Winona innocent without it. Her father is a useless witness. He’ll easily be proven untrustworthy with his track record.“Mommy is sad.”“Abby, we can’t talk about Mommy right now, remember? Let’s go take a bath, have some supper and then I’ll read your favorite book,” Anne says gently.“
(Winona)Phillip stands at the secure office door, looking like a ghost of the man I once knew.His eyes are hollow, his frame gaunt, and he seems smaller in presence, as if the actions of his past mistakes have physically diminished him. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what’s to come, and open the door wider to let him in.Then I carefully close it behind him.“Phillip, sit down,” Gordon instructs, gesturing to the chair opposite mine.Phillip steps inside the office, his movements tentative, and sits down heavily. I move to sit in the chair next to him, feeling the tension in the room thicken with every second.“Hi, Phillip,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. The words feel weird coming out, like I’m talking to a stranger rather than the man I considered spending my life with.“Winona,” he replies, his voice cracking. “Thank you for… for letting me come back.” His eyes meet mine, and I can see the depth of his regret, the guilt weighing heavily on him.I nod, not tru
(Winona)We spend the next hour arranging his things and making the bedroom look like a shared space. It’s not monitored but that doesn’t mean authorities can’t come in and look.Tension is definitely there, but there’s also a sense of determination between us. We both know what’s at stake, and we’re willing to do whatever it takes. I’m actually glad I have Phillip back in my corner.When I look back, he was quite brave in going up against Judy with me before in my work office. She could have revealed him then and there. But she didn’t. She seemed happy to let us keep what we had going.I guess because I wasn’t trying to be with Jayden. That’s always been the thing with her, losing her son to me.As we finish, Phillip sits on the edge of the bed, looking worn out emotionally and physically. I wonder how long since he’s had a decent meal.“Winona, I never stopped loving you. Even when I was at my worst, you and Abby were always in my heart.”His words cut through me, and for a moment,
(Winona)The morning feels grim as I stand inside my townhouse entryway, my wrists and ankles shackled, waiting for my transportation to the Santa Monica courthouse.To be honest, I’m grateful to be going out despite the circumstances. A week of being confined and only talking either about weather and superficial stuff or things that affect me on a life-or-death level, has been exhausting.Then keeping up the pretense of Phillip and I. But we’ve done it and we are all going to hear what the judge has to say about where Abby is best to live for the time being. I’m more nervous about this than anything.The cold metal digs into my skin, and I feel it in my bones. Sheila Hobbs, my parole officer, stands nearby, her expression a mix of empathy and stern resolve.“We’ll get through this trip, Winona,” she says, her voice firm but kind. “Just follow my lead and stay calm.”I nod, trying to muster the strength to keep my emotions in check. “Thanks, Sheila. I’ll do my best.”As we make our wa
(Winona)When it’s Gordon’s turn, he stands confidently, presenting our case with precision.He begins, his voice clear and assertive. “Your Honor, the affidavits we’ve presented testify to Ashlyn’s past behavior raises serious concerns about Abby’s safety.”Gordon paces the floor, his footsteps echoing in the tense silence. He continues speaking, his tone unwavering. “Until Ashlyn’s accusations against my client are proven to be the truth, we cannot overlook the possibility that Ashlyn herself poses a significant risk to Abby Joseph.”Jayden’s lawyer jumps to his feet, his face flushed with indignation. “Objection, Your Honor! This is speculative and slanderous. There’s no concrete evidence to support these claims.”Gordon doesn’t back down, stepping closer to the bench. “Your Honor, if I may. Ashlyn’s character is as much in question as my client’s. We have reason to believe that she may have put her own unborn baby at risk on purpose.”He turns to Ashlyn and Jayden and stares at th
(Winona)The judge calls for a two-hour recess to speak privately with Abby and consider all the arguments and information.It’s only then I realize Abby is present in the courthouse somewhere. My heart skips a beat at the thought of her being here, so close yet so far from me. I hope she is okay. I’m sure Anne is with her.The bailiff escorts me out of the courtroom, and I’m allowed a brief toilet break. I head to the restroom, my mind swirling with anxiety and hope.I push open the heavy restroom door, the cool air hitting my face. I splash some water on my face, trying to compose myself. As I stand there, staring at my reflection in the mirror, the door swings open, and in walks Ashlyn, her eyes locked on mine.“Well, well, well, look who we have here,” she sneers, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “The desperate mother.”I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “You aren’t supposed to be near me or discussing the case.”She shrugs. “Who cares?”She steps closer, her smile twisted
(Winona)“After careful consideration of all the arguments and evidence presented, and after speaking privately with the child involved, I have come to a decision,” Judge Harper announces, her voice steady and clear.“Given Abby’s health and the compelling arguments for her need to be in a stable environment by her doctor, I am granting temporary custody to Winona Nolan.”A gasp echoes through the courtroom, and a rush of relief washes over me, almost making me dizzy. Did I just hear that correctly?The judge continues, “this arrangement is conditional. If Abby’s test results improve as a result of being in her mother’s care, I will consider this evidence of a positive impact, and she will remain with Winona until her operation. We will continue to monitor her progress closely.”The judge’s gaze sweeps over the room, pausing momentarily on Jayden before returning to me. “Furthermore, a stay of hearing in this case is granted until after Abby’s operation. This will allow us to focus on