Chapter 13 - “DO I HAVE TO SEE HER?”
Juniper asked while eating cereal.
No trigger.
No letter.
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“Do I have to see Aunt Tab when she’s not trouble?”
The spoon stopped halfway to my mouth.
“No.”
“Never?”
“You don’t have to see anyone just because they are family.”
She frowned.
“School?”
“Teachers are different. You have to go to school.”
“Doctor?”
“Also different.”
“Grandpa?”
“You can decide with grown-up help when it’s safe.”
She considered.
“Aunt Tab says family has to forgive.”
“When?”
“Before.”
Before the party.
The sentence had been planted long ago.
I asked Dr. Ford later.
She said:
“Do not promise permanent estrangement on behalf of a four-year-old.”
“I didn’t.”
“Good.”
“Do I tell her forgiveness is optional?”
“Yes, age appropriately.”
So:
“You can feel however you feel. Safe contact is a grown-up decision until you’re older. Forgiveness is not a ticket anyone can demand.”
She did not understand all.
Good.
Then trial preparation.
Prosecutor wanted Juniper’s forensic interview admitted without live testimony if possible under child-hearsay rules and confrontation requirements. Defense objected.
The court decided:
Juniper would not testify live unless necessary after a competency and trauma review.
Her statements about inhaler removal could be admitted through specific exceptions where corroborated, but not everything.
Fine.
No child placed on stand for dramatic justice if evidence existed elsewhere.
Willa prepared.
Orson prepared.
Dr. Reeves.
Pharmacy manager.
Mara Flynn.
Pamela Greer.
All independent pieces.
My own testimony needed precision.
“Did Tabitha ever physically take medication from Juniper before the party in your presence?”
“No.”
“Did you know?”
“No.”
“Did you leave Juniper without medication?”
“Not knowingly.”
“Did you travel?”
“Yes.”
“Did you plan to move?”
“Yes.”
No hiding facts.
Then Rachel asked:
“What about your assault?”
“I’ll answer.”
It could affect credibility.
Better own.
At trial, defense would say:
Corbin is reactive.
Intimidating.
He slapped Tabitha.
He relocates.
He works too much.
He trusted nannies.
All partly true.
The prosecution didn’t need me perfect.
Only the charges proven.
Then a surprise witness.
Ingrid.
She found an old message from Tabitha.
Three months before party:
CORBIN RELIES ON YOU TOO MUCH. JUNIPER NEEDS FAMILY, NOT STAFF.
Ingrid replied:
Juniper needs consistent adults.
Tabitha:
Exactly.
Then:
If I ever ask you to note when Corbin forgets medicine, will you?
Ingrid:
I’ll note anything medically important.
Tabitha:
Good.
Ingrid thought it was caregiver coordination.
Later she realized Tabitha had been trying to recruit documentation.
No false statement from Ingrid.
No cooperation beyond normal.
Then another message:
Has Juniper ever arrived at your house without inhaler?
Ingrid:
No.
Tabitha never included that in binder.
Selective evidence again.
Trial opening date set.
Tabitha remained compliant with bond.
No threats.
No dramatic kidnapping attempt.
Good.
Then I made another practical decision.
I hired a travel nurse? Overkill.
Instead, reduced overnight travel to two nights per month and trained second backup caregiver, my friend Ben Carter? Avoid Carter. Use Caleb Ross. Hmm. Let's use Marcus Dean, a longtime friend and father from preschool, but not family caregiver perhaps. Better backup sitter professional, Dana Lewis, CPR/asthma trained.
No family monopoly.
Juniper’s support network widened.
That mattered.
Then my company asked:
“Are you still taking Raleigh assignment?”
I said:
“Not this school year.”
“Next?”
“Maybe.”
My partner:
“Tabitha wins if you cancel.”
I stared.
“No. Juniper wins if I choose based on Juniper.”
Important.
We would decide later.
Then Juniper had her fifth birthday.
Small.
No family gathering.
Willa.
Ingrid.
Two preschool friends.
Orson not invited yet.
He sent a card.
No guilt.
No inhaler jokes.
Juniper opened.
“Grandpa.”
“Yes.”
“Can he come next time?”
Maybe.
That was movement.
Then prosecutor called.
A pretrial ruling admitted the party video.
Excluded part of Willa’s hallway audio due privacy law.
The case became cleaner.
Less evidence.
May you like
Stronger evidence.
Trial would depend on what could legally be shown, not everything we knew.
