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“I trust you,” I sighed. “It’s my Mama and her husband I don’t trust.”
“That nigga might have everybody back in Warner Robins fooled but up here, he ain’t got no reach,” Law declared. “I know people all over, believe me… I’m the last cat he wanna go up against.”
Something about the tone of his voice led me to believe that might have been a threat Law had issued. Instead of asking him what he meant by that, I asked, “Is Mrs. Jessie down there with her?”
“Yes. We’re just waiting on you.”
“I’m coming. Let me brush my teeth and throw something on and I’ll be done,” I swore.
“Okay. Call me if you need me.” Releasing my waist, Law reached his hand around and wiped my wet face with the back of his hand. “Everything is going to be okay,” he assured me once again and kissed my ear before leaving me in the bathroom alone.
I stood at the sink looking in the mirror a few more minutes before cutting the water on so I could get this meeting over with.
“Judge Rowlins signed off on this,” Law’s attorney asked with her face frowned up.
“Without any hesitations,” I mumbled.
“This doesn’t even make sense. I’m trying to figure out how these pictures proved any type of abuse. Pass me the hospital papers.”
Passing them off to her, I nibbled on my nails while she read over them. “It was a simple slip and fall.”
“I can tell. The bruising wasn’t even that bad.”
“Jalitha was in such a rush to prove some foul play, she took them when they had started to heal up making it look like I sent Gema down there with multiple bruises that were in the processing of healing.”
“Still doesn’t prove there was any abuse. Tell me again what happened the night she fell.”
Tossing my eyes over at Mrs. Jessie, I gave her the floor to speak.
“I had just put Bertha in the shower. It was a Tuesday night and I know it was cause she had a tub bath on Monday, and we didn’t leave the house so she ain’t wanna sit down in the tub. She asked if we could just let the shower rinse her off. I agreed causeit was nothing out of the norm. We let her wash herself up as long as one of us is in there with her.
We got a slip resistant mat in the bottom of her tub and a metal bar on the side for her to grab ahold of. I was sitting on the toilet and she went to reach for her towel. When she leaned up, her foot caught the side of the mat and she slipped. Instead of grabbing for her bar, she grabbed for the shower liner and we both tried to prevent it from happening, but she slipped and hit the corner of the tub, bruising her shoulder and her back.”
“And did you call the ambulance to take her to the hospital?”
“No.” I shook my head. “Me and Law were standing in the kitchen. When I heard the commotion, I ran into the room. After Gema assured us she was fine and the only pain she felt was in her shoulder, I got her dressed and Law drove us to Well Star.”
“Walk me through what happened when you got there.”
“We were triaged and sent to the back immediately. They ordered an x-ray of her shoulder and took a blood and urine sample. When her labs came back clear, we waited for the doctor to let us know if she’d injured that shoulder.
He explained that even though she’d taken a fall, the most we could expect was some tenderness and a little bruising. He told us to pick up some pain meds over-the-counter and put some Arnica cream on the bruise and it should go away within a week or so.”
“His notes reflect that. I wanted to make sure the stories aligned.” Placing the paperwork down on the table, Corrine turned to Law and said, “I’ll file a motion first thing Monday morning. I’m going to take these papers with me in case I have to subpoena any of the staff. I don’t see a reason for this to be prolonged. Everything looks to be cut and dry.”
“Does that mean I can get her back before next week is out?”
“I can’t answer that just yet. Because there was alleged abuse, a social worker will more than likely be dispatched to sit downand talk with you two.” Her eyes rolled from me to Mrs. Jessie before she continued. “And they’re going to wanna walk through the house. In order to say everything is okay and she can come back, they’ll have to conduct a thorough investigation. I don’t see it being more than a few weeks though. My main objective is to keep it out of court. I don’t see that being an issue though.”
“I didn’t see it but for my nerves, does the papers say anything about me not being able to talk to Gema. Like, if I were to go home… could I go see her?”
“Yes, you can. There isn’t a restrainer order or anything against you. It only stated that if you didn’t comply with the hand off that you could be arrested.”
“Good. So, I can go see her.”
“You can. However, I will advise against it, at least until I can get this docket on the judges desk. For the sake of your mother not throwing another allegation in the pot, I would say to keep your distance. Calling her over the phone is totally different. If it’ll make you sleep better at night, Talitha give her a call.”
Dropping my head in my hand, I sighed. I needed to see Gema’s face. I wouldn’t be able to function if I couldn’t put my eyes on her. But for the sake of not fucking up my case, I fully intended to follow Corrine’s orders. I would have to settle for a phone call until I could physically put my eyes on her.