Sister Mother

Chapter 24

Addie

In thirty five states, a disability can be the sole legal reason for termination of parental rights. No matter how many times my lawyer explained it to me, I couldn't believe it. My family was the most important thing in my life, and I might lose it all because of my least favorite part of myself.

"They don't know the specifics of my disability, but they have the legal right to take my sister away from me because of it?" I asked Mr. Grant.

He nodded. We were sitting on a bench outside the courtroom, waiting for the next hearing to begin.

"The state has requested access to your medical records again. Once again, I highly recommend that you sign the HIPPA form and give them permission."

"No," I said immediately. "I have the right to privacy. My medical history is no one's business but mine and my family's."

"There's nothing to be ashamed of."

"This isn't about me being ashamed of anything. This is about them turning my sister's custody case into a disability rights issue. The case has been open for a month and Parsons doesn't have a good reason for keeping it open."

"Be that as it may—"

"Mr. Grant, are you circumcised?" I asked, observing his reaction.

Wide eyes. Slowly dropped jaw. Then the why-is-this-person-my-client face.

"How much do you weigh? Did you receive all of your childhood vaccinations? Have you ever had an STD? Can I have a detailed report of every time your body has been cut open and a list of things that are wrong with it? Do you think it's ethical--even though it is apparently legal--for someone to question everything about you simply because your body functions differently than the majority? If you don't want to answer any of my extremely invasive questions, tell those rat-fuckers that I will not going to answer any of theirs."

Mr. Grant didn't say one word until we entered the courtroom ten minutes later. Once we did, I sighed with relief. Jesse Lennon was seated in the front row, dressed in a black suit and navy tie. I drove up to him.

"Jesse, thank you so much for being here. I'm sorry I've had to take so much time off lately."

"I'll put this on the list of reasons to fire you. Which reminds me, put in an order for more paper. We're out of it."

"At the bookstore?"

"Yes," Jesse said, patting my shoulder. He crossed one leg over the other and opened a murder mystery book.

"Um, Jesse?"

"Yeah?" he asked without looking up.

"Did you bring a book to court?"

"You see me holding one, don't you?"

I exhaled and threw my hands up in the air. Can someone cut me a break! I looked from my boss to my uncle, who was seated one row back. Beatrice and Kevin were at school and Gabe was working. Mr. Grant and the Hell-Bringers came into the room. Everyone took their seats, and then the bailiff entered.

"All rise, for the honorable Judge Parsons."

Everyone but me rose to their feet. I crossed my fingers, bit the inside of my cheeks and prayed to every deity I could think of. The judge sat down and told everyone to be seated.

"Before we begin with today's session, has the defense decided to grant the state access to Ms. McKenna's medical records?"

I glared at Mr. Grant. He nodded, stood up and adjusted his tie.