NORA'S EYES

Chapter 7

Author�s note:

The following is a novella in eight chapters, a little over forty-one thousand words, approximately one hundred pages long. I wanted to create a story that was more than an assortment of single romps, the individual tales of sexual encounters between an adult and a child. I wanted to tell the complete story detailing the relationship between a grown man and a little girl; their acquaintance, the internal struggle of such a union, the growth of their companionship, and a resolution to the problems surrounding it.

I hope you will find it a flowing, moving story, evoking a few smiles, anger, happiness, and perhaps even a tear or two. Ben

Special thanks to Bob, an avid follower of this site from Great Britain, who gave huge amounts of time and effort into proofreading this work.

Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyrighted 2017 with all rights expressly reserved by its author unless explicitly granted.

Standard Disclaimer: This story contains sexually graphic and explicit material and as such it is not suitable for minors. If you are a minor, please leave now as it is illegal for you to be here. If it is illegal for you to read or view sexually explicit material in the community you view such material, please leave now. This story and characters are purely fictional and any resemblance to events or persons (living or dead) is purely coincidental. If you are offended by sexually explicit stories, please read no further. If you are offended by stories featuring group sex, bisexual situations, incest, sex between minors and adults, or any other situation, please check the story code before reading the text. These stories are just that, stories, and do not promote or condone the activities described herein, especially when it comes to unsafe sexual practices or sex between adults and minors.

The big day of the custody hearing dawned. Nora was up in a flash.

While she showered I made a meager breakfast. It was too nervous a day to eat much and I didn�t want her getting sick to her stomach. In truth I didn�t want ME getting sick to my stomach. I was a wreck, even though Mack had assured me over and over this was just a formality and everything would work out fine, no hitches.

When Nora was finished in the bathroom she headed for �her� room to dress. She alternately skipped and ran, bare-assed naked across the carpet. What a beautiful sight. I knew she was worried about facing her mom, especially in a court room. Perhaps this was simply a way to rid herself of excess jitters.

When she came out of her room she was wearing the blue dress we had picked out and her new shoes. Her hair was still styled just as it had been when Jack cut it. All she really had to do was shake her head and it would fall back into place. As I have said before, Jack is an artist at his craft.

She neared the counter and stood there waiting for my comment.

There was no doubt as to what it would be. �You are beautiful,� I commented, and it was true. She was an exceptional looking young girl when I found her, in all her forlorn clothing and dirt, but now she absolutely shone with radiance.

The compliment pleased her. A small smile graced her lips. I could tell, however, it was fraught with anxiety.

I bade her be careful not to get anything on the dress while she ate. She didn�t eat much. Neither did I.

When it came time to leave I brought out another gift I had been saving for the day. It was a simple gold chain necklace, nothing gaudy, but it added to her glow.

�Are you ready?� I asked.

Nora nodded, but ran to her bear and asked, �Scott?�

�If you wish, certainly,� I replied.

We found the limo ready in front of the building. The ride was a solemn affair. Even though Nora was not a big talker, she usually spent her time in the limo gazing at the world outside; a world she had lived near since she was born and never been aware of. On this ride she sat back, motionless.

We reached the courthouse and took the elevator to the third floor. Down a short hallway we found Mack waiting for us. He shook hands with Nora when I introduced them.

Mack has been a bachelor all his life. I think the idea of children was foreign to him.

Before we entered he told me, �I probably won�t say much, unless something unexpected happens. This judge and I don�t see eye to eye.�

That didn�t encourage me, but I followed him into the courtroom with my fingers figuratively crossed.

The courtroom wasn�t what I thought it would be. It was fairly small. A ramp style aisle angled down between two groups of seats with about eight seats in each of the six rows. At the bottom a table sat in front of the first row on each side with four chairs for each table. Directly ahead was a raised dais with the judge�s bench. The lighting was subdued. It appeared more like a university lecture room than a hearing room.

Mack slid into one of the seats behind the table on the left. I sat beside him with Nora beside me. There was a pad of paper and some pencils on the table top.

The door from the hallway opened. We all turned to look.

On seeing the person who entered Mack muttered, �Uh, oh.�

My nerves were a jangle and he wasn�t improving them.

A woman of about thirty-five years of age came into the room. I could feel Nora stiffen beside me.

Paulette Cameron was not what I expected. It was easy to tell she had lived a tough life. Her eyes were lifeless despite eye-liner, shadow, and mascara. Yet, in the same instance she did not appear like your usual heroin addict. Her hair had been expertly styled and her long-sleeved skirt suit was definitely new and stylish, probably selected to hide track marks.

�This is not the same woman I saw the other day. She�s obviously spent a good deal of the money to make an impact,� Mack said as she descended the ramp. �Why?�

She never glanced at Nora, but took her seat at the other table.

I turned to Mack. �What do you think is going on?�

�I don�t know,� he said. �We�ll just have to wait and see.�

Before we could worry about it any longer, a door to the side of the room opened and a matronly woman of about fifty with graying hair, wearing a red skirt and matching top took her place at the stenographer�s table to the front right of the bench. Behind her a tall lanky black man in court uniform followed and stood beside the bench on the right.

At the precise minute the proceedings were scheduled to begin, a door behind the bench opened. The bailiff announced, �All rise,� which we did and he continued with the particular formalities entrusted to him. A heavyset man nearing his sixties, dark complexioned, with small, beady eyes, and dark bushy brows entered the room and took his seat behind the bench. His hair was black, what hair he had. The top of his head was completely bald. His lips were pouty, probably made more so by his loose, flabby jowls. He did not look pleasant. The placard on the bench read �Judge Anatole Minnetti�.

He began by telling us, �This is a fairly informal hearing to determine the temporary custody of the child, Nora Cameron, pursuant to a future hearing concerning proposed adoption of said child to Mr. Scott Braydon. I trust everyone is in attendance?� he said making visual note that we indeed were.

He looked down at Mack. �Mr. MacKay,� he nodded. �I wish I could say it was a pleasure to see you. It is not.�

After a moment�s hesitation he spoke over the edge of the desk, �Mrs. Reed��

The lady in red at the stenograph answered, �Strike comment concerning Mr. MacKay.� She then picked up a pencil and drew a line through some of the squiggles on the paper in the machine.

I used the pad of paper and jotted a note which I passed to Mack.

�Is he actually editing the court transcripts?� it read.

�He is trying to show himself in a positive light.� Mack wrote back.

�Isn�t it illegal to tamper with court documents?� was my next note.

�Highly,� was his reply.

�Mr. Braydon, I recognize from his book jackets. I have read a couple of your works,� the judge commented in a manner that indicated he was not impressed with them. �I presume the young lady is Nora?�

�That�s right, your Honor,� I answered.

The judge looked at Nora�s mother.

�Mrs. Cameron��

�Ms. Cameron, your honor,� she interrupted.

�Oh, MIZZ Cameron. Of course,� he said, his voice laden with condescension. �Well, Mizz Cameron, you can see, Mr. Braydon is represented by council. Would you like the opportunity to acquire one?�

�Can one be appointed for me?� she asked.

�No. This just a hearing. You haven�t been charged with anything� yet.�

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and I began to feel a whole lot better.

�Then no, your Honor. I will talk for myself.�

The judge spent a couple of minutes reviewing his papers. �This seems to be an unusual case right from the beginning. Mr. Braydon, I want to start with you. Tell me how you came upon the girl.�

My butterflies returned as I stood and explained how I came to be acquainted with Nora. I told of the grocer, the apple, the skinned knees and palms, and how I paid him to ignore her indiscretion.

�Okay,� he said, �but it didn�t end there. You ended up taking her to your home, I see.�

I swallowed. My mouth was dry.

�That�s true, but my first inclination was to take to her to where she lived. When I asked her about it she told me her mother had kicked her out over a week prior and she had been living on the street.�

�I thought the child didn�t speak.�

�No, sir, she is capable of speech, she just doesn�t talk much. It took a number of specifically worded questions to find out the truth,� I said.

Paulette Cameron rose to her feet. �That�s not the truth!� she exclaimed.

The judge rapped his gavel and told her sternly, �Lady, you will get the chance to tell your side. In the meantime, sit your ass down!� Here a pause, then, �Mrs. Reed��

The lady dutifully grabbed her pencil, �Strike �your ass�,� she said.

I couldn�t believe what was going on. I didn�t know if we were faring well or not.

�Go on, Mr. Braydon.�

�I felt it would not be in her best interest to return to her home after what she had told me. It was my feeling that if I were to turn her over to the police they would simply take her home. I have apologized to Mrs. Grainger, but at the time I didn�t hold CPS in high regard. My opinion on that has changed since meeting her. So the only conclusion I could come up with to insure she had a safe and comfortable place to spend the night was to bring her to my own home.�

�The young lady didn�t object?� he asked with a slight frown.

�I told her, if she felt she could trust me, I would make that offer.� I hoped my reasoning would seem justified and unsuspecting. �Nora agreed and we went home.�

The judge thought for a moment and asked, �How did you happen to notice the marks on her legs?�

My knees were weak. I hoped I could fake my way through this.

�When we got to my place, in the light, I tried to decide what I could get her to wear once she had bathed. She was dirty and her clothing was filthy and ragged. That�s when I saw the marks. I asked her about them and finally managed to get the story about her mother�s dealer.�

I took a breath to calm myself before continuing.

�I took photos because I planned on bringing charges against him on her behalf. That�s when she admitted there were other marks on her back and buttocks.�

Paulette jumped to her feet. �This complete stranger picks my kid up off the street and takes pictures of her ass! What kind of crap is this!� she exclaimed.

The gavel rang out loud and clear.

�Your child had been LIVING on the street!� the judge yelled.

After a moment he added, �Apparently, when I said this is a fairly informal hearing you misinterpreted it to mean you can interrupt whenever you feel the whim,� the judge told her. �I will ask the questions. You will sit down and shut the hell up.� Pause. �Mrs. Reed��

�Strike �the hell�.�

I felt the need to make it known I had only taken pictures of her legs and back. �Nora opened the back of her dress to show me the scars. I didn�t photograph her buttocks,� I lied, hoping Paulette didn�t remember what Nora was wearing when she left home. The dress unbuttoned from the front. �Anyway, I got an old tee shirt for her to wear for when she finished her bath. Once she was done I attended to the scrapes on her hands and knees.�

�But the next day you still didn�t contact CPS or anyone to take care of the child,� the judge said in an accusatory tone.

�No, your Honor. I was still torn on what to do. I didn�t want her to be taken home, nor did I want her to end up in some foster home, which could be just as bad. She needed new clothing, so while I went out shopping for some while I considered the options. I determined her life would be a whole lot better if I were to adopt her,� I answered.

�Very noble,� Judge Minnetti quipped without feeling. I did not like this man. �You may sit down, unless you have something more to add.�

I murmured that I was finished and took my seat.

The judge motioned to Ida. �Mrs. Grainger, may I have your report?�

Ida stood and said, �Certainly, your Honor.� She opened the tan folder she was holding to refer to her notes. �I received notification of Nora from Mr. MacKay, Mr. Braydon�s lawyer. He informed me of the circumstances as well as Mr. Brydon�s wish to adopt the child. That evening I visited the residence. She seemed to be quite content staying there. I took note of her reluctance to speak, which I attribute to her home environment.�

�What do you mean?� Judge Minnetti asked.

�It is something I have encountered before, a self-protective measure to remain anonymous, if you will. She feels, if she makes no noise she will be less likely to be noticed and, therefore, less likely to be abused.�

Paulette jumped to her feet. �Objection!� she screamed. �This woman has no idea what her home life is like.�

Minnetti fired back, �You can�t object! This is a�� Mrs. Reed raised her pen, but he gained control of his temper, �hearing. You will get your chance. Sit. Down.�

Paulette reclaimed her seat.

Mrs. Grainger continued. �Ms. Cameron is correct I have not visited her home. I am only going on what I was informed. Depending on the outcome of this hearing I may have that opportunity. But it is obvious from Nora�s demeanor something or things traumatic have occurred in her life to make her reticent to speak. There is also the evidence of the photos showing severe beating.� She closed the folder, but continued speaking. �My only goal for this visit was to determine whether it would be in Nora�s best interest to be removed to a foster home or remain in Mr. Braydon�s care. She had new clothing, a clean environment, and plenty of food. Before I made any decision, however, I asked her to give me two words that expressed how she felt about staying there. Her answer was �warm and safe�. As a result I saw no reason to remove her.�

The judge had made numerous notes while Ida spoke. He looked up when he realized she was finished. �Thank you, Mrs. Grainger. You may be seated.�

Dr. Ames was next, and even though I had received some cryptic reassurances from him that his testimony would not include me, I was still on edge.

When he approached the bench he held a tan envelope with a metal clasp from which he extracted some photographs. �Mrs. Grainger of CPS contacted me with the request that I examine Nora,� he began. �She filled me in on the particulars, and since this might in the future become a court case concerning sexual abuse and misconduct I took the liberty of documenting my findings photographically.�

He handed a few to the judge.

�I began with the lash marks upon her back, buttocks, and thighs,� he continued.

Judge Minetti glanced at the pictures Dr. Ames had handed him and quickly averted his eyes.

�Doctor, I am not comfortable viewing these. Let�s just let the record show you have corroborating evidence in the form of photos available should they become needed at any further proceedings.� He handed them back to the doctor, who replaced them in the envelope.

This was the first glimpse of compassion I had seen in this judge. I felt he was trying to avoid humiliating Nora by having an extra set of eyes ogling her naked body. My estimation of him grew slightly.

Paulette, however, took the opportunity to express her displeasure.

Jumping to her feet she bellowed, �Wait! First this stranger picks my kid off the street and takes pornographic pictures and then the doctor takes some, too! What is this crap?�

Before the judge had time to react the doctor had turned to her and spoke. �Young woman, in my capacity as an expert witness I am also a sworn officer of the court. I have the right, and I will also say duty, to document my findings in any way I feel is justified, be it written, tape, photo, or video. And as for Mr. Braydon�s pictures, which are included in this file and duly labeled, they show only the back and legs.�

None of the photos showed any hint of the clothing she had been wearing; because at that time she was wearing none.

�As for this envelope,� the doctor raised the aforementioned folder, �it goes back to my office where it is kept in a file cabinet under lock and key until such a time as it is subpoenaed for a trial. The big difference between this file and most of the hundreds of others that reside there is that Nora is still alive,� he finished with some disgust.

He turned back to the bench. Minetti glared down at Paulette. �Lady, you are this close,� he indicated with his fingers pinched nearly together, �to being thrown out of this hearing, which will make my ruling an easy decision. Do I make myself clear?�

She nodded, sullenly.

�Please continue, Doctor.�

�I began by checking the lash marks on the back of Nora�s body. They had begun to fade significantly which allowed me to judge they had most likely been inflicted in the neighborhood of two to three weeks earlier. Eventually they will disappear altogether. There will be no permanent disfigurement. That being said, they must have been delivered with substantial force and been extremely painful to endure. Why no one heard this child screaming is beyond my comprehension.�

�You�re imposing your own opinions now, Doctor. Please keep to the facts,� Minetti told him.

�Yes sir, I apologize. Anyway, the width and depth of the markings could be consistent with a lamp cord as Nora stated.�

I knew all of this information, yet it made me sick to hear it. What was to follow enraged me.

�Before moving on to the gyno I did make note of four more markings of a different nature. They were little round burn marks I am confident came from a cigarette butt.�

I couldn�t hide the shock on my face. I turned to Nora and whispered, �Did he burn you?�

She did not return my gaze. Looking straight ahead she nodded.

I seethed with anger. I made a vow to myself for the second time Mallette would be put away for this. A girl this young should not have to endure acts such as these. Hell, any woman should not have to endure such acts.

The doctor picked another piece of paper from the folder. �The gynecological exam pretty much confirmed what Nora told Mr. Braydon. The hymen had been ruptured.�

Paulette was on her feet again, quickly. �How do we know it wasn�t him who did that?� she accused.

I was on my feet instantly, incensed by the accusation, even though there was some truth to it. But, before I could even open my mouth Judge Minetti pointed his gavel at me, daring me to speak. Mack reached up and gently put a hand on my shoulder to pull me back down.

The judge then directed his attention to the woman, who had also returned to her seat, probably dreading the outcome of her latest outburst.

�You will have an opportunity to speak, but right now you will shut the fuck up! Mrs. Reed��

�Strike �the fuck�.�

The four letter word rolled off this older lady�s tongue as easy as a child�s nursery rhyme, which led me to believe she had had to strike it from the record numerous times before.

Judge Minetti turned to Doctor Ames, �It is an interesting question, however. How do we know Nora�s defloration was not from,� he thought carefully as to how to word his query, �a more recent sexual involvement?�

My blood turned to ice. I wanted to scream and run away, but I sat silently, waiting with dread.

�I would have been able to tell. Muscular striations around the entrance to the vagina would have been clear and the reaction time from when I stopped with the internal exam to when the orifice returned to its typical shape was normal. That indicates penetration was not recent.�

Either this doctor was not the expert he claimed to be, or he was protecting me. I didn�t understand it, but I was greatly relieved.

The doctor wrapped up his findings with the results of further tests and the STD outcomes, but added one more surprising bit of information.

�An anal probe is a regular part of an exam such as this to determine if there is any damage to the organs. In doing so it was apparent to me Nora had been anally penetrated at some point as well.�

Again my head snapped around to her. This time she looked in my direction and nodded forlornly, then looked away.

The Doctor had finished his report, but the judge had a question for him.

�Doctor, I recently read a report of testing done on a number of young girls, such as Nora, who had been assaulted sexually and some who had not. The testing physicians were not informed which was which, but the results came back concluding that even those who had not been assaulted showed signs similar to those who had, leading physicians to conclude that testimony in such cases is bogus.�

I passed a note to Mack; �Did he just invalidate evidence of a possible future trial?�

The reply was; �He�s an idiot.�

Doctor Ames stepped up to the task, however. �I am familiar with the report of which you speak, but I do not concur with those findings. There was not a specific set of controls in place during those tests. Plus there are very distinct differences between a young lady who is raped and one who loses her virginity naturally; for instance using tampons as she matures, having a bike accident, even sliding into third base in a ball game. I won�t go into them here, but I can fax you particulars if you are interested.�

The judge declined the offer and we took a short recess.

As the hearing resumed, Judge Minetti looked at Paulette. �Now you may speak,� he said, �and from what I have heard so far, it better be good. Mrs. Reed��

�Strike the last part,� the lady said, dutifully scratching out the words with her diminishing red pencil.

Paulette stood, straightened her skirt and said, in a meek voice, �First, I would like to apologize to the court for my earlier outbursts. I felt somewhat ganged up on.�

The judge nodded, but did not respond.

She took a deep breath. �Second, let me admit from the beginning, I am a recovering drug addict.�

My note to Mack; �recovering????�

Paulette continued, �I have been straight for almost three weeks now, ever since Nora�s disappearance.�

Mack�s note to me; �liar.�

�I know that doesn�t sound like a long time, but for one in my position it is an eternity; an eternity of pain and suffering. I am not a strong woman, but when I realized Nora had left it sunk in what a horrid mother I have been to her.�

�She says you told her to leave, to get out,� the judge replied.

�No, sir! I didn�t,� she answered, upset. �She misunderstood me. Kids sometime get on your nerves. If you have kids you know what I mean. They can be loud, noisy, messy, and all. When you are an addict it multiplies the aggravation by a thousand. All I said was �get out of my sight�. I was wrong to even say that, I know. I didn�t think she would interpret that to mean leave.�

Tears began to roll from her eyes. The bailiff handed her a box of tissues from the table near the bench. Paulette retrieved one and dabbed at her eyes, trying to keep her makeup from smearing.

Mack leaned in close and whispered in my ear, �Did I mention she came to New York to become an actress? She had a few roles off Broadway before getting pregnant and then taking up drug use.�

I shook my head in disbelief at the way the day was turning out.

�Anyway, when Nora didn�t return that evening I was scared. I went out looking for her, but she was nowhere to be found.�

�Did you file a missing person�s report?� the judge asked.

�No, sir. I was scared to go to the police. I figured, if I could find her I could take her home and make it up to her. But I couldn�t find her,� she sobbed. �I was so scared. I didn�t know what to do.�

She regained control and stated, �I knew one thing I could do. I could stop taking drugs. I could get myself straight if I was lucky enough to get Nora back I could be the type of mother I should have been, the kind of mother she deserves. I am asking, no, begging the court to allow me to take my baby home today so I can show her how much I care, how much I love her; at least until I have to make the decision of whether she would be better off in Mr. Braydon�s care.�

I sat back and shuffled my feet nervously. She should have stuck with acting. This performance was award winning.

Minetti peered down at her. It was impossible to read his thoughts. Was he being swayed by this?

�What about the allegations you allowed your drug source to molest this child?� he asked sternly.

�No, sir! I never allowed that! My thought is, when I was strung out he took it as an opportunity to do that. Nora is such a quiet child she never told me. The man is despicable, and if he did that I want to see him rot in jail for the rest of his life!�

Mack�s note to me; �She�s throwing him under the bus. What the hell does she want?�

I shrugged. My stomach was churning with acid.

�All I want is a chance to show my daughter I can be a good mom to her. Just give me a week to prove myself. If she does end up being adopted I don�t want her to hate her mother. Please, sir.�

Paulette sat down and Judge Minetti sat back in his seat. His face was stony, but I saw the gears turning in his head. I wasn�t hopeful.

When he finally spoke he said, �The law generally tends to favor the mother in cases such as these. I have great reservations about doing so.�

My heart beat fast. Maybe he was finding in my favor.

�But considering you have, so you say, changed your habits, and seem to be exhibiting honest emotions concerning your daughter, I will allow you custody for one week when we will reconvene to discuss whether you will willingly relinquish your parental rights to make the way clear for Mr. Braydon�s petition for adoption, or whether he will need to pursue other legal avenues to proceed with his application in the matter,� the judge said.

I passed a note to Mack; �WTF!!�

He replied; �Like I said, an idiot.�

Judge Minetti glared at us. �You two have been passing notes all day long like a pair of Junior High students in Physics class. Mr. Garrow, fetch me that paper.�

The bailiff headed toward our table. Mack tore the page from the pad, folded it neatly and stuffed it into the inner pocket of his jacket.

�What transpires between Mr. Braydon and myself at this table is considered attorney/client privilege. You have no right to obtain it.�

They matched stares for a few moments and Judge Minetti motioned the bailiff away with a jerk of his head.

�Mrs. Grainger, I expect you to make a number of visits to the Cameron residence this week to report on the conditions there.�

�I will, your Honor,� the lady replied. I could tell from her voice she was seething with anger.

�And you will file charges against Mr. Mallette?�

�They are being drawn up as we speak.�

The gavel dropped, and Paulette grabbed Nora by the arm. �Come on, hon. Let�s get you home.�

Nora resisted, but Paulette pulled her along, dragging her up the aisle.

�The first thing we�ll do is get you some decent clothes,� she said. She stopped for a moment and lifted the child�s necklace in her fingers, appraising it. I knew by nightfall it would sit in some pawn shop.

Mack leaned in again to whisper. �Look at him. He already realizes he fucked up.�

Sure enough, the judge sat in his seat watching the show of Paulette Cameron trying to sound like a loving mother. His face was still stony, but he shook his head.

Paulette grabbed the bear from Nora�s arms and tossed it down one of the rows of seats. �We�ll get you something better than that ratty old thing, too.�

Nora cried out, �Scott!�

I didn�t know whether it was for the bear or a plea for my help.

My heart was breaking. In her eyes I read fear, despair, and betrayal. I knew I had to do something.

Turning back to the judge I nearly yelled, �Your Honor, may I have five minutes with Ms. Cameron alone?�

He looked at me with disgust. �Mr. Braydon, I have already made my ruling.�

From the top of the aisle, near the door Paulette�s voice spoke clearly. �I have no reason not to listen to what Mr. Braydon has to say.�

The judge peered from me to her then back to me. He may have grasped what was about to happen before I did.

�You have five minutes. This case has already occupied too much of the court�s time.�

I wanted to scream at the old bastard, is it a waste of time to try to insure the best interests of this child? But, one, I knew that would immediately get me a contempt of court charge. Two, it would be more difficult to convince him to change his mind if I was successful in whatever it was I was going to do with Paulette. And, three, in the back of my mind I still wondered if being with me was in Nora�s best interests.

I wasted no time in getting to the top of the aisle where I knelt before Nora and told her, �You go sit with Mack until I come back. Okay?�

She nodded, but before complying she dashed down the row to retrieve Scott the bear.

I ushered Paulette into the hallway.

I shook with anger as I comprehended from the smile on her face this was exactly what she had anticipated.

�Lady, as far as I�m concerned you stole five thousand dollars from me,� I growled.

�When I recognized how much I missed my poor dear��

�Cut the fucking crap.�

Her smirk made me want to hit a woman for the first time in my life.

Instead, I reached into my pocket and extracted my check book. �I am prepared to write you a check for fifteen thousand dollars, right now. You go back in there and tell the judge I made you see it would be better for Nora to stay with me this week to give you extra time to get your act together. Next week you come back and relinquish your rights as a parent so I can adopt her.�

Paulette did not respond immediately. When she did I was shocked.

�No,� she said. After a brief pause she added, �No checks.�

�Money order, then,� I replied.

�No. Cash.�

�I don�t carry fifteen thousand dollars in cash on me.�

�Tomorrow is the first of July. You have your lawyer man come by my place in the afternoon with� twenty� twenty five thousand dollars in cash, then every July first for the rest of my life.�

Her audacity astounded me.

About that same time the bailiff stuck his head out the door and said, more apologetically than as an order, �He wants you both back in here now.�

I nodded to him and turned back to Paulette. �Okay. Deal. No double crosses.�

We re-entered the court room and Mack was just moving back to the table from the bench. �Remember what I said,� he warned.

�Mr. MacKay, if I need a lecture from you I will ask for it.� He looked up at Paulette, who did not resume the seat at her table, but stood near the door. �Ms. Cameron, I expect you have something you wish to tell me.� His voice rang with repugnance.

�Yes, your Honor. Mr. Braydon has convinced me it would be in Nora�s best interest to stay with him while I decide whether or not to give her up. As a matter of fact, I am quite sure it would be better if she was adopted by him. So I am ready to give up my rights to her.�

�Unfortunately it doesn�t work that way. While you were out doing whatever you were doing in the hall I had the chance to check and see if it was in my power to re-open this hearing and change my ruling. It appears I can. Mrs. Reed, you make note of that and begin taking your notes again.�

�Yes, sir.�

�Before we go too far, though, I have to admonish both parties that it is a felony to barter for the possession of a child.� He looked directly at me as he stated this.

�So is altering court documents,� I replied, with as much contempt as I could put into my words.

The entire room froze in place. Everyone waited to see what his response would be. Finally, he sat back. �Mrs. Reed��

The older lady seemed perplexed, as if she had never been faced with this predicament before. Eventually she questioned, �Strike both comments?�

�Strike both comments,� he replied quietly.

He announced the following to the room. �In deference to Ms. Paulette Cameron stating she is content to allow her daughter, Nora, to remain with Mr. Scott Braydon in contemplation of a decision to relinquish her parental rights allowing the adoption petition of Mr. Braydon, of Nora, the court hereby finds no reason not to consent to her wishes.�

He consulted a calendar on his desk before continuing. �However, I want this fiasco over with as soon as possible. Mrs. Reed strike that statement. The hearing pursuant to that decision will be in two days in this same room at the same time. Court is adjourned. Now get the hell out.�

He rose from his seat and disappeared into his chambers quickly.

Paulette had vanished as soon as the gavel dropped. She never even said goodbye to her daughter.

On the way out I explained to Mack her conditions. He shook his head, but did not argue.

The rest of the day was somber. That night Nora came to me naked again, which surprised me. She crawled onto my lap and buried her face in my shoulder. Soon I felt the hot tears saturating my shirt. I held her close. This night was not a night for fondling and petting. As I cradled her I told her, �I am so sorry for what happened today. We were all sure nothing would go wrong, but I am quite certain I have your mother taken care of. She shouldn�t present a problem for us again.�

Nora gently kissed my cheek.

�What do you say we just go to bed and get some sleep tonight? We both are emotionally exhausted.�

She nodded and I picked her up in my arms and carried her to bed.

THE END - Chapter 7