Free Six Months To Love: Charlotte's Redemption by Christina Leija Page B

school to make sure she could protect him while Charlotte was gone. Charlotte, however, knew that wasn’t a good idea, she wanted to keep Andrew out of this mess as much as possible and keep everything as normal as she could.
    Charlotte was dressed in her Burberry trench coat with a sleek pencil skirt that matched and a silk white button up shirt that had a tie at the top that fell gently between her breasts. Her pointed toe shoes tied the outfit together and Charlotte was confident and ready, especially given the circumstances.
    Charlotte sat in the courtroom in the 3rd row on the right side of the courtroom. She looked around slightly anxious, she still hadn’t seen her attorney, not that she thought he would help her. She had learned her lesson the last time with public defenders. Instead she had been researching her heart out over the last month trying to brush up on her laws and to keep her mind off John. No, today she wouldn’t think of him, she couldn’t afford the distraction.
    The courtroom was cold. The wooden benches looked freshly polished and wore their age with ease. The oak was gorgeous and looked to be real wood. That was New York though, they spared no cost. The state flag hung on the opposite side of the American Flag that sat on either side of the Judge’s bench. The room was smaller, probably seating 75 people. This room Charlotte assumed was used primarily for civil cases that were smaller or not as important. Maybe important wasn’t the right word, her son was important and she only hoped that the judge would see that as well. Her son’s life hung in the balance between her, terminally ill and her sadistic and dangerous ex-husband. Charlotte was scared and only hoped that someway, somehow she could spare her son from Alex’s torment, even after she died.
    Breaking Charlotte from her thoughts, the door opened to omit an older gentleman in a simple black suit and shiny, yet worn dress shoes. He had white hair and a receding hairline that showed him to be about 70 years of age. His back hunched, yet stood strong. He had a sense about him that said he meant business.
    “Ms. Jackson?” His voice was gruffy yet soft and showed he respected her. He wasn’t harsh and she could respect that.
    “Yes, sir. How can I help you?”
    “I’m your attorney, Mr. Black.” Something about his tone signified that she should have known that, or at least he was told she knew him.
    “I’m sorry but where’s…um… I don’t remember his name, the public defender?”
    “Charlotte my dear, a public defender is not what you need and surely being a smart woman you should know that, I was retained for you and no, you don’t owe any money for my services, so before you ask that one let’s get it out of the way.  Now can we move on from the where did I come from pleasantries and get down to business please?” He was demanding, that was for sure. Charlotte just nodded her head. She was still confused but she knew she didn’t have time to inquire anymore. He was right they needed to get down to business. They only had 20 min until court was supposed to start.
    “Now we have a lot to go over. You work at the hospital as a head shift nurse with a promotion to ER lead coming soon, correct?”
    “Yes sir, but how did you...” Charlotte was cut off by his irritated look that told her just to answer questions, not ask.
    “You have had Andrew for the past five months since your divorce as his sole care giver? You also maintain stable schooling, adequate housing and an adequate nanny for him?” Charlotte just nodded in agreement, how did he know all this? It didn’t make any sense. Her public defender didn’t ask any of this. Before they could continue the doors open to show Alex stride in arrogant and irritated. Following was his attorney, John’s father. The sight of him made her blood boil and she wanted to climb over the bench at both her ex and his self-indulgent attorney. Assholes! Her soul screamed for