Chapter 9: The Hearing
The hearing on Priscilla’s motion to lift the protective order lasted less than an hour.
Her attorney argued that my father was isolated and in need of family support, and that the order was being used punitively by a daughter who lived out of state and had limited involvement in his daily life. He painted me as an overreaching outsider with a badge.
Rebecca responded with the medical records, the financial documents, the 911 call transcript, and the photographs of my father’s injuries taken at the hospital. She also submitted the neighbor’s statement and the rejected deed change request.
The judge reviewed the materials in silence, then looked at Priscilla.
“Ms. Harlan, you are alleged to have struck a seventy-one-year-old man with a baseball bat and then attempted to have him involuntarily committed. You are also connected to multiple unauthorized financial transactions. The temporary protective order remains in place. Any further contact with the petitioner will be considered a violation.”
Priscilla’s face tightened. Derek stared straight ahead.
I did not look at either of them as I left the courtroom with Rebecca.
Outside, the afternoon light felt sharper than usual.
May you like
“They’ll try something else,” Rebecca said.
“I know,” I answered. “I’m counting on it.”
