Since Erin filed an emergency motion for guardianship of Declan, the hearing was scheduled for this Friday. I spent every night at Griffin and Declan’s house. I should have felt happy and content, but instead I was unsettled, worried for Griffin and Declan.
The night before the hearing, Declan went to his room early. He said he wanted to play Legos, but I think he wanted time alone. We hadn’t ruled out the possibility he’d change his mind and want to see his mother at some point. Griffin reminded him that whatever he was feeling was okay. He wouldn’t be upset or angry if he wanted to see his mother, it was only natural.
Griffin had been checking on him every fifteen minutes.
“He finally fell asleep.”
“Good.”
“How are you holding up?” He sat on the couch next to me, placing his arm over the back.
“Me? This isn’t about me. I’m worried about you.”
There were so many things I wanted to ask him. What will you do if Erin is granted visitation or custody? My mind was rampant with outrageous situations that were probably not going to happen, but I couldn’t help thinking I’d found happiness only to have it ripped away.
“I’ll be happy when tomorrow’s over. I can only hope the judge sees through whatever excuse she has for showing up eight years after she left, wanting guardianship now.”
“I would think the judge would.” Without knowing which judge would hear the case tomorrow, it was hard to give him an idea of his or her personality.
A hard knock came on the door, causing me to jump.
“Were you expecting anyone?” I asked Griffin who’d already stood and moved toward the door.
“No. You?”
“No.” I followed a few paces behind him as he checked the side window first. Jittery, I wondered if it was Erin, and if so, what that meant.
“It’s Erin. A car is idling in the driveway. I can’t tell if she’s with someone or not.”
Nerves churned in my stomach, but I tried to appear calm for Griffin. “We should see what she wants.”
“You don’t think we should call the police?”
“If you open the door and it seems like a bad situation, I will.” I held up the phone where I already had 911 typed into the screen.
Griffin nodded, placing his hand on the doorknob to open it.
She probably wanted to avoid court. She was going to plead her case without a judge or police present which was probably better for us.
Griffin opened the door slowly.
Erin stood on the porch, her eyes a little wild, her hair falling out of a ponytail, her jean shorts and tank top dirty as if she’d slept in them and worn them for days.
“Declan’s sleeping, so keep your voice down.”
Erin glanced back at the running car, then to us. “Fine.”
I exchanged a glance with Griffin. She wasn’t alone. I could make out a silhouette of someone in the front seat. I bet it was her boyfriend. It was a good sign he’d stayed in the car. I took that to mean he probably wouldn’t interfere with our conversation.
“Give us money and we’ll go away.”
Griffin’s lips curled into a sneer. “This whole thing was always about money. I had to sit Declan down this afternoon and ask if he wanted to see you when it was never an option.”
It sucked we’d had to talk to him about his mother, but it was better she left now. If she stuck around, trying to form a relationship with him only to leave later, that would be worse.
I curled my hand around his arm to steady him, to remind him I was here for him.
“Give me money so we can go.” Erin kept glancing back at the car as if whoever was with her was impatient.
“How much?” His eyes were cold.
Her eyes widened in surprise, as if she hadn’t expected it to be so easy.
I hated that he was paying her anything, but it was worth it to have her out of Declan’s life. She’d never have any rights to him again. It would be his choice if he wanted to reach out to her at some point.
“How much will it cost to make you go away for good?” His tone was biting.
I’d talked to him about leaving open the possibility of visiting Declan at some point, but I approved of his approach. If she came back, was cleaned up, working a responsible job, and really wanted to meet him, Griffin would accommodate her, but not like this. Not when it was clear someone was pressuring her for the money.
“Ten thousand dollars.” Her eyes were wide, her voice hopeful as if she’d asked for an impossible amount.
I tried to smooth my expression. We’d expected a higher demand. Griffin mentioned he’d give her whatever she wanted, even as I tried to reason with him.
“Done.” He pulled out his wallet where he’d kept a check for just this purpose.
I hurried inside to get the termination of parental rights and a pen, not wanting her to change her mind.
Griffin held the check tightly in his hands. “You’ll sign this document terminating your rights. It means I can’t come after you for child support and you can’t come back here, demanding to see him.”
She waved a hand at him. “Yeah. Whatever you want. I don’t care.”
I don’t care. Her attitude reminded me of my parents. Living with a parent who didn’t care about you was worse than an absent parent. What kind of mother took money to never see her child again? Not a good one.
I’d never thought about what kind of a mother I’d make, but I knew I’d be better than Erin or my parents.
I handed her the contract, showing her where to sign. I held my breath, hoping she wouldn’t change her mind.
She barely looked at it before signing and handing it back to me.
“Now give me the money.” Her voice was cold and unfeeling. She never cared about Declan. He was a pawn in her game.
I recoiled from her nasty tone, wrapping my arms around myself. I wanted her gone.
Griffin held the check out, not giving it to her yet.
“Don’t come back, Erin. I mean it. If you do, you’ll do nothing but hurt him. He doesn’t deserve you coming and going in his life, solidifying that you never wanted him. Got it?”
“Not a problem.” Her eyes were lighter, her voice almost gleeful. Then she grabbed the check and turned to jog to the car as if Griffin might change his mind, calling her back to take the check.
As soon as the car door closed, whoever was driving backed the car up, squealing the tires, before it accelerated down the street and out of sight.
“They’re gone.” My breath whooshed out of my lungs as if I’d been holding it the whole time.
Griffin rubbed his neck. “I wonder if the boyfriend discovered I had money and pressured her, or she was bragging about the money and whoever she was dating pressured her.”
“We’ll never know for sure but at least she’s gone. We have these papers if she appears in court tomorrow. I’ll sign as a witness and can attest to what happened so she shouldn’t be able to back out on this or change her mind. The judge will dismiss it if she doesn’t show up.”
Griffin wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me tightly to his body. He kissed the top of my head. “It’s finally over.”
I felt the slight tremor in his hands.
“I don’t think I could have done that without you by my side reminding me to keep a cool head.”