Page 70 of After Anna

“You deliver a car, like apizza?” Maggie asked, aware that the Range Rover’s being delivered was the least significant of facts.

“Of course,” Simon answered with a grin. “Welcome to the family.”

Chapter Thirty-one

Noah, After

TRIAL, DAY 5

“Dr. Alderman, please direct your attention to Commonwealth Exhibit 52.”

Noah turned to the screen, cringing inwardly.

Mr. Carter:What took place during your driving lesson on April 27 that gave rise to this petition?

Ms. Desroches:It was kind of dark and my stepfather Noah and I were in the parking lot, and no one was around. Well, maybe there were a few cars but they were far away, and I was practicing trying to get in and out of the space by the stanchion, like, where the light was.

Mr. Carter:And were the two of you alone in the car?

Ms. Desroches:Yes. I asked Noah if my stepbrother Caleb could go with us, that’s his son, but he said no, that I needed to concentrate. Anyway, I was reversing out of the space, and he was showing me how to use the rearview mirror on the outside, so my head was turned away, and all of a sudden, I felt, like, his hand up my dress on my thigh. Iwas so surprised I knocked my phone off the console.

Mr. Carter:Did you say anything?

Ms. Desroches:No, I was so startled and I was about to say something but I didn’t know what to say, so I, like, pretended it wasn’t happening.

Mr. Carter: Did he say anything?

Mr. Owusu:Objection, calls for hearsay.

Mr. Carter:Your Honor, as you know, PFA hearings don’t adhere strictly to the rules of evidence, and his client is free to rebut this testimony when he testifies.

The Hon. Jane Hamilton:Overruled.

Mr. Carter:Thank you, Your Honor.

Mr. Owusu:Thank you, Your Honor.

Mr. Carter:Do you remember the question? It was, “Did he say anything?”

Ms. Desroches:He said, “How does that feel?” And he moved his hand farther up, you know what I mean.

Mr. Carter:Anna, I know this is difficult, but you have to explain what you mean.

Ms. Desroches:But it’s so awkward and I feel so weird.

Mr. Carter:I understand that, but please try to explain it more particularly.

Ms. Desroches:He moved his hand closer up my thigh, like, close to my underwear, and he said, “I can teach you a lot of things more important than driving. Your first time should be nice, and I know how to do that.”

Mr. Carter:And what did you say, if anything?

Ms. Desroches:I didn’t know what to say, I was so shocked, and I said, “What are you doing?” and he acted all innocent and pulled out his hand. He said, “I thought you dropped your phone.” And Isaid, “Don’t do that ever again or I’m telling Mom.”

Mr. Carter:And what did he say, if anything?

Ms. Desroches:Nothing.

“Dr. Alderman, you recall the incident to which Anna is referring, don’t you?”