“There’s nothing to discuss.
I’m his mother.”
The lawyer lowered his voice.
“Biology does not automatically give you unrestricted control over 3.2 million dollars.
And these allegations of prolonged abandonment are going to become relevant if you pursue custody.”
Karla’s face flushed.
“You told me I had rights.”
“You do.
That does not mean you automatically win.”
The word win hung in the room.
Ethan noticed it too.
“Is that why you’re here?” he asked.
Karla looked at him.
“What?”
“To win?”
For once, she had no answer ready.
Then she made the mistake that would follow her into court.
She pointed toward the television.
“You think you understand any of this because you made some app? You’re sixteen.
You can’t manage millions of dollars.
Your grandmother certainly can’t.
Someone has to take control before you waste what should secure this family’s future.”
Ethan’s expression did not change.
“Which family?”
Karla stopped.
He continued.
“The family you left?”
Her lawyer stood.
“We’re done.”
They left ten minutes later.
The white SUV disappeared down our street.
Only then did my legs begin shaking.
I sat beside Ethan.
“Why didn’t you tell me you had all of that?”
He put his headphones back around his neck but didn’t cover his ears.
“Because you would worry.”
“I am worried.”
“I know.”
Mr.
Mendez sat across from us.
He looked embarrassed.
“Teresa, I frightened you earlier.
I needed to be truthful about the weakness in your paperwork.
You should have formalized your legal authority years ago.
But this evidence changes the landscape significantly.”
“Can she take him?”
Ethan answered before he did.
“I don’t want to go with her.”
Mr.
Mendez nodded.
“And at sixteen, a court is going to care very much about that.
Especially after eleven years of consistent care here and virtually no parental involvement from her.”
He gathered the copies Karla’s lawyer had left behind.
“But we’re not going to assume anything.
We respond properly.
We document everything.
