Fatima: Love, Family, and Career

Chapter 38: Zac vs. Karen

*The next part is a court case involving paternity. It is a fictional case, as I am not a judge or lawyer and have never been in court for such. Please acknowledge that this is for entertainment purposes only.

Court Day

Zack=Plaintiff, Karen=Defendant

You may be seated.

This is the case of Taylor vs. Mott

Judge Carol Banks: Thank you. Good day, everyone.

Judge Carol Banks: Mr. Taylor is here because he has questions on whether or not Ms. Mott's 12-year-old daughter, Zarina is his. He has not yet denied nor claimed that he is the biological father but would like to take a paternity test to determine whether he is or not. Is that correct?

Attorney Wilson: Yes, your honor.

Judge Carol Banks: Today, we are here because Ms. Mott believes that Mr. Taylor is the father of her 12-year-old daughter, Zarina. Is that correct?

Karen's Lawyer: Yes, your honor.

Judge Carol Banks: Plaintiff, would you or someone defending you like to take the stand?

Attorney Wilson: Your honor, I am Mr. Taylor's attorney, Ms. Wilson. My client and Ms. Mott dated 12 years ago. The defendant broke it off with Mr. Taylor. A few months after the breakup my client and Ms. Mott were in contact via phone. Since then, they have not had any further contact. Mr. Taylor has not seen or heard from her until two months ago. Nor did he know that Ms. Mott had conceived a child.

Judge Carol Banks: Ok, Thanks. You may be seated. Defendant, would you or someone defending you like to take the stand?

Karen's Lawyer: Ms. Mott and Mr. Taylor were high school sweethearts, very much in love. The two talked about getting married and having kids at the age of 21. Mr. Taylor started running the streets when Ms. Mott got pregnant. She was afraid to raise a child in that environment, so she broke it off with him. 

Judge Carol Banks: Ok. Thank you. You may be seated. Ms. Wilson, would you like to speak?

Attorney Wilson: Your honor, why did the defendant wait 12 years to disclose that Mt. Taylor is possibly the father?

Karen's Lawyer:  Your honor, may I speak? Ms. Mott was not aware of Mr. Taylor's whereabouts.

Attorney Wilson: So how did she find out his whereabouts when she did? Mr. Taylor's parents live in the same house for 30 + years. Mr. Taylor said she knows where they live. Why didn't she get in touch with them for such a serious reason? 

Karen's Lawyer: Your honor, it was not her place to go to the plaintiff's family home.

Attorney Wilson: You're right, but that is supposed to be their grandchild. Ms. Mott lived in New York, and so does the alleged grandparents.

Judge Carol Banks: I would like to hear from both the Plaintiff and the Defendant.

Karen: Your honor, Zac was selling drugs. That was not a safe place for my daughter.

Zac: Your honor, I have been away from that life for almost 10 years now, so that doesn't make any sense as to why she waited so long. 

Karen: Because you weren't ready to be a father.

Zac: How do you know I am ready to be a father now?

Karen: Your honor, I just need him to help me take care of her financially and physically.

Zac: Your honor, I asked her for a paternity test. She refused. If the kid is mine, why are we stalling? Just take the darn test.

Judge Carol Banks: Defendant. Do you know it is wrong to keep a child away from his father for 12 years? 

Karen: Yes. Your honor.

Judge Carol Banks: So why hasn't a paternity test been given to the plaintiff when requested?

Karen: He said he loved me and wanted to have a child with me, so why does he need a test?

Judge Carol Banks: Well, I have the results here in my hand. These results were prepared by DNA Diagnostics, and they read as follows. 

In the case of Taylor vs. Mott, 

when it comes to 12-year-old Zarina Mott, 

It has been determined by this court,

Mr. Taylor

You

are

not the father.

Zac: YES!!

Zac jumps up and hugs Fatima.

Judge Carol Banks: Order in the court, Order in the court. Ms. Mott, do you know who Zarina's father is?

Karen: Yes. It's his cousin......Jamal.

Zac's mouth dropped.

Zac: What the hell. Bitch you were fucking my cousin. 

Tears roll down Zac's face.

Judge Carol Banks: Ms. Mott...Did he know he was the father?

 Zac: Excuse me, Your honor. My cousin got murdered a couple of years after Karen and I broke up. We were very close.

Karen: Yes, he knew, but after he died my daughter was left without a father.

Zac: Bitch so you thought you could put this baby on me?

The Judge stops Zac. 

Judge Carol Banks: Language, I gave you a pass the first time. 

Zac: Sorry, Your Honor.

Judge Carol Banks: Ms. Mott you do know that just because the father is not around, doesn't mean you can swindle a child onto someone else?

Karen: Yes ma'am. 

Judge Carol Banks: Mr. Taylor, I am so sorry you had to go through this. If there is nothing else, I would like to close this case.

Attorney Wilson: Your honor, my client and I would like a restraining order against Ms. Mott. She walked into my firm harassing me, and I had to call security. My client has also been harassed by Ms. Mott.

Judge Carol Banks: A restraining order is issued that Ms. Mott shall not call or come within 100 feet of contact with both the plaintiff, Mr. Taylor, or his attorney, Ms. Wilson. The case is closed.