Chapter 8: What Willie Told the Advocate
The hearing lasted two hours and forty minutes.
Moss presented Robert's counter-motion.
He used words like fragile and documented history and voluntary arrangement.
He submitted a single page — a letter from Robert's family physician stating that I had been treated for anxiety in the past three years.
Patricia submitted Willie's written account, transcribed by me the night before.
She submitted the call log I had photographed on Robert's phone before he left the house.
She submitted a statement from my own physician confirming that I had been medically cleared and that my anxiety, well-managed with low-dose medication, in no way impaired my capacity as a parent.
Then the child advocate's report came in.
The judge read it without expression.
When she finished, she set it down and looked at Robert over the top of her glasses.
"Mr.
Calloway," she said.
"The child advocate spoke with your son this morning."
Robert's attorney leaned in.
Robert held very still.
"Your son stated, in his own words, that he witnessed you hand an envelope to your sister near the hospital elevators on the night of the birth.
He stated that your sister was carrying a bundle that was crying.
He stated that he believed, until this week, that if he saved enough money he could buy his sister back."
The courtroom was very quiet.
"He also stated," the judge continued, "that you told him his sister had gone to heaven.
That he had prayed for her every night since then.
And that he had not told his mother sooner because—" she looked down at the report "—because he was afraid you would be angry at him."
Robert's jaw moved.
"He was afraid of you," the judge said.
It was not a question.
Moss started to rise.
The judge held up one hand without looking at him and he sat back down.
"I am issuing an emergency order for the immediate location and welfare check of the infant currently in the custody of Dana Calloway.
I am simultaneously issuing a temporary restraining order requiring Dana Calloway to remain within the jurisdiction and to present the child to this court no later than—" she checked the clock on the wall "—five o'clock this afternoon."
She looked at Robert.
"Mr.
Calloway, I am also referring this matter to the district attorney's office for review of potential crjminal charges, including filing a false report and unlawful transfer of a minor." She removed her glasses.
"Do you understand what I have just said?"
Garrett Moss was already on his feet.
"Your Honor, my client would like to—"
"I asked your client."
Robert looked at the judge.
His face had gone the color of old ash.
"Yes," he said.
"I understand."
"Good." She replaced her glasses.
"We will reconvene at four-thirty."
Patricia touched my arm as the judge left the bench.
"Go home," she said quietly.
"Be with Willie.
I will call you the moment Dana is located."
I walked out of the courtroom into the hallway.
My mother was waiting on the bench outside.
She stood when she saw my face.
"Well?" she said.
"She has until five o'clock," I said.
My mother closed her eyes briefly.
May you like
"Come on," she said.
"Let's go home to Willie."
