Free Eyes of a Child by Richard North Patterson

sixties with a seamed face, a hooked nose, and, it appeared, painfully arthritic hands; surveying the room with jaded bureaucratic displeasure, he kept twisting his fingers and wincing. ‘All right,’ he said in a throaty, incurious voice, ‘what have we got first?’
    The deputy glanced at his docket. ‘Case No. 94-716,’ he announced. ‘Ricardo Arias versus Teresa Peralta. Petitioner’s motion for alimony, child support, and interim custody; resondent’s cross-motion for interim custody and that the court require petitioner to seek employment.’
    Richie rose and walked through the swinging door. Terri glanced at him with a sense of wonderment; the last time they had stood before a judge was the day that they had been married. The memory of how she was then, scared and hopefull and pregnant with Elena, came to Terri with piercing sadness.
    â€˜I’ll hear petitioner,’ Scatena said to Richie. ‘The first issue is spousal support and whether you’ll get work.’
    Richie went to the podium, head held high, looking Scatena in the face. ‘Good morning, Your Honor. Ricardo Arias, appearing in proper –’
    â€˜I know that,’ Scatena cut in. ‘And there’s nothing much worse than a male lawyer representing himself in a custody suit. Why haven’t you got your own lawyer?’
    Richie paused for a moment, then smiled. ‘I agree,’ he said with an air of candor. ‘No matter how I try, I’m too emotional to always be objective. Plus I have no experience at this.’ He shrugged helplessly. ‘If I had any money, I wouldn’t be standing here.’
    Terri inclined her head to Flaherty, whispering, ‘The last thing he wants is a lawyer to control him.’
    But Flaherty was watching Scatena. The judge leaned forward. ‘You can ask me to order your wife to pay for a lawyer. She’s retained one, so there’s some money there.’
    Richie nodded in agreement. ‘She makes a very high salary, that’s true. But it’s my position that any resources should be preserved for Elena’s benefit to the maximum extent.’ His voice became humble. ‘I can only promise that in any appearance before this court, I will behave as professionally as I can.’
    â€˜He’s doing it right,’ Flaherty whispered. ‘Don’t make this judge mad.’
    Scatena assessed Richie. ‘Why don’t you just get a job, Mr Arias? You seem able-bodied enough to me.’
    â€˜Well, to start, it’s a critical time in our daughter’s life –’
    â€˜Yes, and it’s too bad. But there are millions of divorces a year. And in most families these days, both parents work. I may not like it, but there it is.’ Scatena resumed twisting his fingers. ‘This situation isn’t unique.’
    Richie looked down. ‘I guess to a parent, Your Honor, each child is unique. That’s what makes families so important. But you’re right, of course.’ He paused, brow furrowed. ‘The thing is, Terri and I agreed that I would raise Elena. As a result, my law career has fallen way behind now – I can’t earn half of what Terri makes. Half of that would go to child care. And there would be no one home for Elena after school or during the summer.’
    Scatena sat forward. Richie met his eyes, speaking with the unassuming candor of a man sitting in a coffee shop. ‘Then there are the equities to consider. I’m here only because I agreed to sacrifice my career to Terri’s, in Elena’s best interest.’ Richie’s gaze broke again, and his voice grew soft and shamed. ‘Terri has resources: a high-paying job and a wealthy boyfriend who happens to be her boss. Because I thought we would always be married, I have none. It’s not fair – to Elena or me – to push me out of the house.’
    Terri felt herself gripping the table. The