Page 166 of Clinically Delicious
“—and maybe I’m not the most conventional person, and maybe our relationship moved fast, but it’s REAL. What we have is real. The way I feel about Megan is real. The way I feel about Gabriel is—”
I stopped.
Don’t say it.
Don’t say you love him in front of a courtroom full of people.
“—is real,” I finished lamely. “It’s all real. And I know you’re trying to make it seem like we’re lying or scheming or whatever, but we’re not. We’re just a family. A weird, imperfect, slightly chaotic family, but a family, nonetheless. And Megan is happy. She’s HAPPY. Isn’t that what matters? Isn’t that the whole point?”
Silence.
Complete, absolute silence.
I looked at Richard, who was staring at me like I’d just sprouted a second head.
I looked at Judge Winters, whose expression was carefully neutral, but whose eyes seemed... amused?
I looked at Gabriel, who had his head in his hands.
Oh God.
I did it again.
I completely spiraled in front of a JUDGE.
“Are you...” Richard cleared his throat. “Are you finished?”
“Yes,” I said in a small voice. “Sorry. I’m finished.”
“Your Honor,” Richard said, turning to the judge. “I think the witness’s... outburst speaks for itself. Clearly, she’s emotionally unstable.”
“Objection!” Anthony was on his feet again. “Mrs. Lyon’s testimony shows genuine emotion and care for the child in question. That’s hardly instability.”
“She rambled about ninja dreams!” Richard protested.
“She was nervous,” Anthony countered. “And she answered your questions honestly and thoroughly. Perhaps too thoroughly, but that’s hardly a crime.”
Judge Winters held up a hand. “Gentlemen. That’s enough.”
She looked at me, and I wanted to sink through the floor.
This is it.
This is where she tells me I’m unfit.
This is where we lose Megan.
“Mr. Gallagher,” Judge Winters said. “Do you have any redirect?”
Anthony stood. “Yes, Your Honor.” He approached the witness stand with the kind of confidence that made me think of sharks circling prey. Except this time, I was pretty sure he was on my side.
Please don’t ask me about the ninjas again.
Please, please, please.
He stopped a few feet away, and for just a second, he winked at me.
Did he just—Did Anthony Gallagher just wink at me?
