Page 25 of Proof

“Do you think there’s any chance he may feel neglected?”

“Neglected?” Chris didn’t know where this conversation was going.

“I’m trying to build a case for you—and against them. If Carter is experiencing any angst, depression, resentment, or disassociation, it could help. Help you, I mean.”

“Geez, I hope he’s not.” Chris was beginning to feel concern. “He’s never expressed it to me.”

“Most kids don’t,” Evan replied.

“Wow. It never occurred to me. He’s usually in a good mood when we’re together. He rarely discusses his mother or Bruce.”

“Maybe the reason he’s in a good mood with you is because that’s where he feels the most comfortable.”

Chris nodded. “I suppose if there was something bothering him, he might not want to bring it up. He’s a little self-conscious. You know that puberty thing.”

Evan laughed. “I try to forget those days.” He started writing on his pad. “When is Lucinda planning on moving?”

“She said six months.”

“We need an exact date,” Evan noted.

“I’ll try to get it out of her.”

“Have they found suitable housing?”

“I really have no information except the very loose time frame. The conversation was short. She really threw me for a loop, and then I had a work meeting. All sorts of thoughts were running through my head.” Chris looked up at Evan. “If I share them, we have attorney-client privilege, correct?” Chris rubbed the back of his neck. “I could choke her.”

Evan let out a snort. “Well, yes, unless you are divulging information of intentionally doing something criminal. But you didn’t say you were planning on doing it. It’s a fantasy.” Evan looked up. “But do try to refrain from such comments. Please.”

“Roger that.” Chris gave him an assured look.

“We’re going to have to meet with her and nail some of this information down.”

“I know that is going to set her off, for sure.”

“Well, she can’t simply do whatever she wants when it comes to your son.”

“True.”

“I’ll have Monica, my paralegal, call Lucinda tomorrow to set up a conference. If they are leaving in six months, we really don’t have that much time.” He scribbled something else. “I also want Carter to have a psych evaluation.”

“Is it necessary?” Chris’s concern was growing by the minute.

Evan looked up from his desk. “We need an impartial assessment as to what Carter’s homelife is like. Do you think he’d have a problem speaking with a total stranger?”

“Not if I explain the situation.”

“Is he aware of the move?”

“He hasn’t mentioned it, but I haven’t seen him since Lucinda dropped the bomb. I’ll talk to him about it after practice, either at Jack’s Bar-B-Que or at home, depending on whether or not we’re alone.”

“Does he seem comfortable living in two separate homes?”

“Honestly, he’s never said anything to the contrary.”

“Good.” Evan wrote a few more notes. “As far as I can tell, Carter is well-adjusted. He has good grades, I assume.”

“He certainly does. Otherwise, it’s no ball games for him.” Chris adjusted himself in his chair. “I try not to spoil him. His mother seems to think I’m too harsh.”

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