No Way Out by Fern Michaels (great books for teens .TXT) 📗

She didn’t want to cause her mother any more concern. “Right.” That’s when she decided she would do a deep dive into finding Rick. Before he found her.

“Mom? I know you worry about me, but I cannot tell you how relieved I am that I can finally remember the gist of what happened that night and that I didn’t have some sort of mental breakdown.”

Although she thought she might have one momentarily.

“Libby, I am so happy to hear it.”

Yes, her real name was Elizabeth Gannon. That much she did know and always had.

Chapter Thirty-one

The morning of Mitchel’s hearing had arrived. He went to court, dressed in a suit and well-groomed. He felt good. He knew that he had disappointed a lot of people in the past, but he was determined to continue on his path of redemption. He owed it to his son, Colleen, Greg, Elaine, and Otto, not to mention all the others he had insulted and failed along the way.

Colleen arrived with her mother. Vivian was with Greg. Colleen was surprised at the warm welcome she received from her soon-to-be-ex mother-in-law. Maybe what they said was true. Vivian had had some kind of epiphany. They sat on opposite sides of the courtroom; Mitchel sat at the defendant’s table with his lawyer. Officer Pedone stood against the wall, in full uniform. He nodded to Colleen when she entered. It gave her goose bumps. In a good way.

Mitchel looked over in her direction and smiled. It was a genuine smile.

Once the judge was seated, the clerk announced the charges.

“How do you plead?”

“Guilty, Your Honor.” Some people gasped in horror, but many others weren’t the least bit surprised.

Mitchel’s lawyer had approached the prosecutor early on to offer a guilty plea and obtain the best deal for Mitchel that he could.

“If I may, Your Honor,” Mitchel’s lawyer asked the court.

“By all means,” the judge replied.

“My client understands that by pleading guilty, he will not go to trial, saving everyone, including the fine taxpayers of the county, time and money.”

“That’s quite generous of him,” the judge said, a bit sarcastically.

“Mr. Haywood has agreed to serve two years’ probation and perform one thousand hours of community service. He is asking the court to recommend additional counseling, to be appointed by the court.” The lawyer cleared his throat. “In the matter of the temporary restraining order, Your Honor, Mr. Haywood asks that it be lifted.”

“And why should I do such a thing?” asked the judge.

“My client has been attending meetings for anger management and alcohol abuse. He is once again gainfully employed and wishes to have an ongoing relationship with his son.”

“Mr. Haywood, is this what you are agreeing to?”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“Mrs. Haywood. Would you care to make a statement?”

Colleen stood. “Yes, Your Honor. I’ve known Mitchel for many years. And while the evening of the event was horrifying, it was nothing like the way he normally behaved. Yes, he was drunk, and that is no excuse, but I believe he is making a valiant effort to turn his life around. I, too, want him to have a relationship with his son, so I will not object to lifting the order.”

Murmurs and whispers went around the courtroom. Colleen looked over at Officer Pedone, and he gave her a nod of approval. He understood the importance of a father-son relationship and how vital it is for divorced parents to have good rapport.

“Very well. The clerk will enter your plea, and I will accept the terms of your punishment and lift the temporary restraining order.” He banged his gavel, and just like that, the hearing was over.

Colleen walked over to Mitchel. “I’ve heard good things, Mitch. Jackson will be very happy to see you more often.”

“Thanks, Colleen. You know I’m very sorry for the way I treated you. You deserve better. I know there’s no future for us as husband and wife, but I hope we can be partners in raising our son.”

“So do I. We can work it out with our lawyers. Where are you planning on living?”

“Believe it or not, I’m moving back into my mother’s house. She could use someone to help with chores. Besides, the house is big enough that we won’t get in each other’s way. Jackson can have his own room and decent meals when he’s with me. You know I’m a crummy cook.” Mitchel smiled.

Colleen smiled. “I’m glad things are turning around for you. And I know you’re the one doing the work. Let’s talk on the phone and come up with a plan. Personally, I would prefer to have him during the week so as not to disrupt his school schedule, and you can have him on weekends. Naturally, if anything comes up in the middle of the week, we can work things out. Does that sound good to you?”

“Sure thing. You know how much I hate doing homework.” Mitchel chuckled.

“Sounds good. Take care.” Colleen walked over to her mother.

“What did he have to say for himself?” Judith sneered.

“Oh, Mother, you’re getting your wish. We’re getting a divorce,” Colleen said, with the slightest bit of exasperation. “And we’re working out custody.”

“Really? Where is he going to take Jackson? Greg and Elaine’s basement?” she scoffed.

“No. He’s moving into Vivian’s.”

“That sounds like a horror show to me.” Judith was appalled.

“I don’t know about that. She’s been rather mellow lately. Or so I’ve been told.”

“Speak of the devil,” Judith muttered under her breath.

“Hello, Colleen. Judith.” Vivian smiled at both of them. “I’m happy to see that you and Mitchel can be civil with each other. He’s working hard at redemption.”

“I can tell. He said he was moving back into your house?”

“Yes. To be honest, I was on the verge of putting it on the market. It was getting to be too much for me. But Mitchel’s being around will be a relief, and I do so want to keep the place in the family. It can use some TLC, and I’m sure Jackson won’t mind dipping a brush in a can