RP Post - Custody pt.3 - Toronto
Saturday
Larry watched his son over their waffles and orange juice. He couldn't eat. He could only watch Sam. Sam had been filling him in on what he had been up to. Sitting in on classes at his old school, catching up with old friends. He seemed animated. And happy. Larry waited until Sam stopped speaking to concentrate on his food before asking, “Are you happy here?”
Sam looked at his father and shrugged. “I don't know. I miss New York.”
“You do?” Sam nodded, but didn't say much else. “So I should keep fighting?”
“I guess,” Sam nodded slowly.
“You know your grandparents and I...we all love you. We all want-”
“What's best for me,” Sam finished. “I know.” He licked his fork. “And I want that for all of you, too. It's why I...I don't know.”
“No one's asking who you love more, or to pick a favorite.”
“I know.”
“Okay.”
Monday
Larry sat leaned back in his chair at the conference table and glared at the people across from him. He got to his feet and started to follow John out of the room. So much for an amicable meet.
“Larry,” Suzanne said gently. He turned around quickly. “Don't...don't hate us.”
“Don't hate you? I don't hate you. This isn't about what I feel for you, this is about my son.” He turned again and exited the room.
Tuesday night
John was sitting at the small table in Larry's hotel room with files spread out before him and a pen and pad under his hand. He scratched his chin and looked over at Larry who was spread out on the bed. Larry was in khaki pants and a black hoodie sweatshirt with the hood over his head. His eyes were closed but he was awake.
“This claim about you going out a lot has some validation to it,” John went on. Larry sighed. “They're saying you go out several nights a week until very late. Are you seeing someone?”
Larry shook his head and didn't open his eyes. “I'm not out that often. I go out on Fridays for work and it's a bar so I get home late. Some other nights I just need to go out and socialize so I call the babysitter.”
“Socialize how?”
“What does it matter?”
“It matters as a testament to you character. Are you going out with the guys? Picking up women?”
“Picking up women?” Larry opened an eye and looked at John. “Did you ever know me to pick up women?”
“No, you had a relationship when I knew you.”
“Right.” He closed his eye again. “Look, I'm...not picking up women. I'm...hell.” He ran a hand through his hair, pushing the hood back, and sat up. He looked at John. “I've got someone I spend time with, but...it's not anything and it's not going to get in the way of Sam's life.”
“How does you having that sort of relationship with someone help Sam?”
“What does it matter? It's my life. She wants nothing to do with me aside from what we do, she isn't going to be around forever, and she's not going to get to know Sam. So when she does go it won't matter to him. I don't have a lot in New York. Having her...it gives me something to feel good about. I love Sam and love spending time with him, but I need something else. She keeps me company and cheers me up and...I don't know why I'm explaining this to you!”
“Because this is something that they will want to know. This is something they might try to ask you in court, and you need to know the right way to answer it. What you're telling me now is not what they need to hear.”
“If we even get that far maybe. I'm a lawyer, too. Let's not forget that.”
“Not right now, you're not. Larry, I'm trying to help. You need to face the fact that it is going there. We are presenting our case in family court tomorrow. This is happening and it's only a matter of time before they start attacking you.”
“I know,” he sighed. “I know.” He flipped the hood back over his head and sat back again, closing his eyes. “Alright, better answer! Having a mad passionate fling with a younger woman from the office, it means nothing, and I go over to her bed as often as I can to escape my son.” He smirked. John caught the smirk and shook his head.
“Very funny.”
“I thought so.”
“Okay,” John cleared his throat. “We'll work on that subject, now moving on...”