Chapter 8 - The Severance of Ties
The divorce proceedings were finalized in a quiet, windowless courtroom in Austin, Texas, on a rainy morning in early December.
Wesley sat at the defense table with his lawyer—a sharp, expensive-looking man from Dallas who looked like he would rather be anywhere else. Wesley was wearing a simple blue suit, his face pale and thin, his eyes fixed on the wooden table. He didn't look at me once during the entire hearing.
Margaret Pembroke did not attend. She was currently under house arrest at her estate in Montana, her passport seized by the federal marshals to prevent her from fleeing to her family's condo in Switzerland.
The judge, a serious woman with silver hair and a quiet, efficient manner, reviewed the custody agreement we had submitted.
"Mr. Pembroke," the judge said, looking down at Wesley over her reading glasses. "You have agreed to a voluntary termination of your parental rights for the minor child, June Ellis, with the provision that you may petition the court for supervised visitation once your federal legal matters have been resolved. Is this correct?"
Wesley swallowed, his voice shaking as he stood up. "Yes, Your Honor."
"And you understand that you are waiving all claims to any future custodial decisions, and that the child’s legal name will be officially changed to June Ellis?"
"I understand," Wesley whispered.
"Very well," the judge said, signing the papers with a sharp, final scratch of her pen. "The court finds this agreement to be in the best interest of the child. This divorce is officially granted."
As we walked out of the courtroom, Wesley stopped me in the hallway. The rain was drumming a steady, heavy beat against the high glass skylights of the courthouse.
"Nora," he said, his voice barely carrying over the sound of the traffic outside. "I... I’m sorry. I know that doesn't mean anything now. But I truly am sorry."
I looked at him, and for the first time in months, I didn't see the lieutenant colonel or the cowboy’s daughter. I just saw a young man who had been given every advantage in life and had ended up with absolutely nothing.
May you like
"I know you are, Wesley," I said gently. "I hope you find your own spine one day. For your own sake."
I turned and walked down the steps of the courthouse, where my father was waiting in his truck, the engine running, the heater warming a cab where June was waiting for me.
