Scenes From a Soap Opera

In The Case of Harrison Abbott

Kyle and Summer didn't speak much that morning. Their nerves were front and center with no sign of going away. In a matter of hours, Tara's pleas for full custody of Harrison would be heard. Kyle hated to admit it, but a part of him was scared that she would win.

"Can you believe Judge Brady scheduling a hearing on New Years?" Kyle asked with a forced chuckle. Summer gave him a half smile while she finished getting ready. He felt terrible about the timing; Summer was still recovering from the miscarriage; the last thing she needed was going to a court hearing. One that he knew was going to get ugly. "You know that you don't..."

Summer cut him off immediately. "Don't even finish that sentence. I'm going to that hearing."

Kyle held up his hands in surrender. "Okay. Okay, I was just saying."

"Well don't." Summer snapped. She looked over to see a hurt expression on Kyle's face; a fresh wave of guilt washed over her. "I'm sorry, I know you're stressed and you don't need me adding to it. I'm just so pissed that Tara's doing this to us. I shouldn't be taking my anger out on you."

Kyle walked over and gave her a hug. "It's okay. We're both stressed out. This will all be over soon, I promise."

Summer and Kyle's nerves only intensified once they arrived in Judge Brady's court room. Tara's smug smile really didn't help. Summer gripped Kyle's hand as the proceedings began. There was damaging testimony on both sides; the amount of mud being slung could fill the Mississippi, but the most impactful testimony came from Summer herself.

Everything started out fine; Michael called Summer to the stand and asked her some basic questions about her relationship with Harrison. The young woman spoke very lovingly about her stepson and the bond they'd developed. Tara seethed with rage and a little bit of envy as Summer said things about her son that she didn't know. Michael rested, then Tara's lawyer stood up with a sinister grin.

"Mrs. Abbott, you say how much you love Harrison." The attorney started her cross.

"Yes, just like he was my own." Summer answered with a smile. Kyle gave her an encouraging smile from the desk.

"But he's not yours's, correct?"

"No, he's not."

"Do you have biological children Mrs. Abbott?"

Summer froze, the pain from the miscarriage still fresh. Kyle groaned as Michael sat on the edge of his seat getting ready to jump up and object if need be. "No, I don't."

"Do you plan to?" The lawyer sounded so casual, like she was Summer's best friend asking out of concern. Summer wanted to punch her.

"My husband and I have talked about it and yes we would like to." Summer answered. "But," She interjected before Tara's shark attorney could ask her next question. "If we were blessed to have a child together, nothing would change our love for Harrison. He's a part of our family, always."

"Harrison's a part of your family, okay. Did you tell him the truth about why you were recently in the hospital?" Summer's eyes widened in horror.

"Objection!" Michael shouted. "Your honor my client's recent hospital stay has nothing to do with Harrison's well-being."

"I disagree." Tara's incredibly smug lawyer responded. "Mrs. Abbott stated that Harrison was a part of her family. I believe finding out how included Harrison is in all facets of her life is very relevant to Harrison's well-being."

"I agree. The witness will answer." Judge Brady gave her gavel. Tara's lawyer smirked at Michael before turning her attention back to Summer.

"No, I didn't tell him." Summer answered.