Page 110 of One Good Reason

“You can.” Corrine nodded.

“What about Mrs. Jessie?”

“Unfortunately, a restraining order was taken out on her over the weekend. She can’t be anywhere near Gema. I think it was a tactic used to keep Gema from coming home, I mean if Mrs. Jessie is her nurse, of course she’s going to be at the home.”

“They know… Mrs. Jessie is there with Gema while I go to work. She did that as a fuck you to me I can almost bet you.”

“She’s prepared to fight you on everything. Power of attorney included. Is there any way she can somehow convince your grandmother to change her mind?”

“Hell no. Gema wouldn’t dare sign papers without notifying me. My Mama tried it once before and Gema and I had a very long talk. She knows better than that.”

“Well, that’s one less thing we have to worry about. Is there anything you can give me to somehow help your case?”

Scratching at my head, I thought about two things I could use against my mama. One I didn’t care to share, the other one I didn’t give a fuck at this point. I guess Law could feel my resistance because he chimed in.

“If anything comes up, we can let you know at a later date.”

“There is one other thing,” I butted in.

“Talitha,” Law groused. Grabbing my hand, he ordered, “Look at me. You don’t have to do this.” He assured me with his eyes when I looked up at him.

Without peeling my eyes away from him, I blurted out, “I own all of their houses. Willearl, Betty Jo, Louise, my Mama, and Gema’s.”

“What? How the hell is that possible” Law asked incredulously.

“Papa Joe purchased the houses with the money he got from my Mama husband. The only one he didn’t buy was my Mama’s and Joe Lee. I bought those on my twenty-fifth birthday when they neglected to pay their property taxes. I never said anything to her. Joe Lee knows because he was the one responsible for paying the mortgage.”

“So even if the judge never granted you visitation, it would’ve been impossible for her to kick you off property that you own.”

“Yes.” I nodded my head.

“This is good.” Corrine nodded. “I don’t know how we can use it going forward but you leave it to me to figure out. Is there anything else Talitha?”

“I was molested by my stepfather,” I stammered.

Corrine’s head did a full spin at my revelation. “I’m sorry… what did you just say?”

“Talitha,” Law rasped, but I shook my head at him.

“I was five when it happened. My grandparents figured it out and took me from my Mama.”

“And your mother is still with him?”

“She didn’t believe me. She told everyone I had imagined it.”

“Do you feel like he will be inappropriate with your grandmother? If you have any ounce of fear that it could happen, I can make this whole thing, go away with the snap of my finger.”

As tempting as that shit sounded, I didn’t think for one second Joe Lee would be inappropriate with Gema in that manner. I’d never thought he was capable of doing that. Now, did I think he might be rough with his words, or maybe put his hands on her? I wouldn’t put that past him but to touch here inappropriately, I wouldn’t go to that extent.

“As much as I want to say yeah so this could end, in my heart of hearts I can’t.”

“Damn,” she sighed. “If you can think of anything else, don’t hesitate to mention it. I’m going to fight with all of my might to get your visit pushed up Talitha. I don’t want this thing to drag out at all. The longer we wait, the more your grandmother will be compromised.”

“I know. I’m just ready for her to come home.”

“We all are. In the meantime, go home. You own everything, they can’t touch you. If I hear anything else, I’ll reach out.”

“Thank you again, Corrine.” Law stood and shook her hand.

---