by Pandora Pine
“No, your honor,” the attorneys answered in unison.
“Good, so the only thing left to settle is who hurt Tucker McKinnon.” The judge eyed Bronson and Alicia again.
Rainier stood up. “Your honor, we may be able to answer that question for you. As of an hour ago, Tucker McKinnon revealed to Mr. Spencer and Doctor Wagner who caused these injuries.”
Bronson’s mood brightened instantly. Now everyone would know that he wasn’t the one who hurt his son.
“Objection!” Alicia’s attorney fairly flew out of her chair. “The age of reason in Massachusetts is seven and Tucker is only five years old.”
“Surely Mrs. McKinnon would want to hear her son clear her of these child abuse charges?” The judge smirked at Alicia before turning his attention back to her attorney.
“Your honor, we want the truth to come out as badly as you do, but the child is too young to testify in open court. We wouldn’t want to be responsible for traumatizing an already hurting child.”
“Mr. Spencer, what can you add about Tucker’s ability to testify in open court?”
Nash stood up and cleared his throat. “Tucker has been my student since September. He is well-spoken, with a large vocabulary for a child his age. The reason that Tucker had been unwilling to tell anyone who hurt him is because the person threatened to hurt his father if he spoke about what happened.”
Bronson couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Not only had someone hurt his son, but told Tucker he would be hurt if the little boy told anyone who hurt him. It was beyond belief.
Judge Masterson nodded. “Do you think Tucker would be able to handle speaking with a stranger in front of everyone present?”
“Doctor Wagner and I explained to Tucker this morning that he would need to be brave and tell the truth. We also told him that the bailiff and police officers would be here to protect Mr. McKinnon when Tucker tells you what happened.”
The judge nodded. “Does he have any idea how a courtroom works?”
Nash snorted. “Yes, your honor. It seems his grandmother is a fan of Judge Judy. Tucker enjoys watching the show with her. He’s expecting you to bang your ‘gravel’ to bring the court to order.”
The judge burst out laughing. “Is there anything else I can do to make this situation more comfortable for him?”
“No, sir. If you don’t mind me saying, being able to tell the truth and going home in the arms of his family is all Tucker needs.”
“Is there anything else you care to add as the child’s Guardian ad Litem?”
“I’ve been a kindergarten teacher at Little Wonders Montessori School for five years now. In that time I’ve met a lot of parents, but none with more dedication and love for his child than Bronson McKinnon. He’s an amazing father and role model for his young son.” Nash smiled when Bronson made eye contact with him.
“That ringing testimonial would mean so much more if Mr. Spencer weren’t sleeping with Mr. McKinnon,” Alicia’s attorney drawled.
“Thank you, Mr. Spencer.” The judge ignored Alicia’s attorney and instead turned to Ben. “Doctor Wagner, I am in possession of the pictures taken of Tucker’s injuries at the time he was admitted to the hospital. Is there anything you can tell me about them that would be relevant to this case?”
Ben nodded standing up. “Picture fourteen is a full-sized image of the contusion on Tucker’s back. You’ll see a partial handprint visible among the broken blood vessels and still-blooming bruises.”
Flipping through the pictures, the judge pulled one out to show Ben before turning the image around. “I see the mark, Doctor.”
“While I was in the exam room with Mr. Spencer, he put his hand up to the picture and the handprint was considerably smaller than his hand. I am certain this picture will show you that Mr. McKinnon’s hand is also much larger than the handprint in the photograph. Without Tucker’s testimony, it’s the best piece of evidence we have in determining who caused these horrific injuries to my patient.”
“Objection, your honor.” Alicia’s attorney stood up again. “The handprint, as the doctor pointed out,” the attorney turned to Ben, sneering at him, “is only a partial. There is no way to identify who the perpetrator is based on this evidence.”
“I will hear from Tucker McKinnon before making a ruling on that objection. Bailiff, would you please bring Tucker into the courtroom?”
“Ah, your honor?” Nash raised his hand.
Bronson found his first smile of the day. Instead of standing up, Nash was raising his hand like he’d taught his students.
“Yes, Mr. Spencer?”
“With your permission, may I be the one who escorts Tucker to the courtroom? Your bailiff is a stranger and looks nothing like Byrd on Judge Judy.”
Smiling, the judge nodded his head. “Granted, Mr. Spencer.”
Bronson watched in fascination as Nash left the courtroom through the side door. He doubted if he would have thought to see to Tucker’s comfort like that.
Rainier leaned closer to Bronson. “I’ll tell you one thing for sure, Nash loves your son.”
In this entire mess, Bronson knowing how much Nash loved Tucker was the one thing he could count on. “I know he does. I accused him of some pretty awful things and in return, he’s taken care of Tucker better than I ever could.”
"I disagree. He took care of Tucker just like you would have done." Rainier pointed at the door. "Here they come."
Bronson looked up to see the side door open and the bailiff escorting Nash who was holding Tucker's hand.
Tucker's face brightened the minute he saw Bronson. The little boy tugged against Nash's hand like he wanted to take off running toward him. Nash stopped him, bending down to speak to Tucker. Bronson could see his son nodding.
Nash led him to the witness chair and lifted him up to sit in it before lowering the microphone to Tucker's height. Instead of sitting back down in the gallery, Nash stayed by Tucker’s side.
"Hello Tucker, I'm Judge Masterson."
Tucker turned to look up at the judge. "Hello." Tucker waved and tugged at the collar of his shirt.
"I hear you’re a big Judge Judy fan." The judge smiled at the boy.
Tucker nodded. "I watch her show with Grams." Tucker turned toward Peg. "Hi, Grams!"
Peg waved at her grandson.
"We're going to talk about some serious things today, Tucker."
"I know. Nash and Doctor Ben told me today is a very important day."
"That's right. Today is a very important day. Can you tell me how old you are?"
"I'm five now, but I’ll be six in June."
The judge smiled at him. "I hear you're in kindergarten."
"Yup! Mr. Spencer is the bestest teacher in the whole world. He reads us stories and lets us take care of the classroom lizards."
"Classroom lizards?"
Bronson watched while a blush stained Nash's face.
"Mr. Spencer loves dragons and he says lizards are dragon cousins. We have a leopard gecko named Spot. He's my favorite, especially when he eats crickets out of my hand." Tucker licked out his tongue to demonstrate.
"Can you tell me about your Daddy?"
Tucker waved to Bronson. "His name is Bronson McKinnon, but I don't know his middle name. He works at the Newburyport Public Li-berry and he's the bestest Daddy in the whole world."
"What about your Mommy?"
Tucker looked over to where Alicia was sitting. "My Mommy is Alicia McKinnon, but her name’s gonna change when she marries Ashton."
"Is she the bestest Mommy in the whole world?"
Tucker shook his head no and turned to look at Nash.
"You're doing great, buddy."
"Can you tell me why, Tucker?"
"She yells a lot and Ashton's mean to me."
Bronson turned to look at Alicia and Ashton who were staring straight ahead.
"How is he mean to you?"
"Ashton yells a lot and he doesn't like to play dinosaurs with me and..."
>
Tucker reached out for Nash who looked up at the judge. When he nodded, Nash scooped the little boy up and sat in the witness chair with Tucker in his lap.
"Finish telling the judge what happened. It's okay. You're safe." Nash dropped a kiss on the top of Tucker’s head.
"I'm always safe with you and Daddy, Nash." Tucker turned back to the judge. "Ashton was the one who spanked me."
"Why you little lying bastard!" Ashton bounded out of his seat, gripping the railing in front of him.
"Mr. Lutz, sit down. There will be no further outbursts or I will have you removed from my courtroom. Do you understand me?"
Ashton fairly snarled at the judge. "Yes."
"Why did Ashton spank you?"
"'Cause he hates me." Tears started gathering in Tucker’s eyes. "He calls me that bad word all the time. I missed my Daddy and Nash. We were gonna have pizza and garlic knots from 'Taliano's when Mommy came and took me away. I was crying 'cause I wanted my Daddy and my Nash and Ashton told me to shut the duck up and then he pushed me down and started to hit me on my bottom. Then he telled me that if I told anyone he hit me that he’d hurt my Daddy." Tears dripped down Tucker’s cheeks.
Bronson noticed Nash was crying too. He wanted to run to both of them and dry their tears.
Nash wrapped his arms tighter around Tucker. "No one is ever going to hurt you again. I promise."
"I promise too." Bronson couldn't keep quiet a moment longer.
"Judge, can I hug my Daddy? I miss him so much."
Judge Masterson nodded.
Nash stood up with Tucker in his arms and walked toward Bronson. He went to hand Tucker over when Bronson wrapped his arms around both of them and held them tight.
"I'm so sorry, buddy. So sorry."
"Do you see that, judge?" Alicia shouted from her seat. "Do you see the disgusting thing my ex-husband and that man are doing?"
"What? You mean comforting your son, who, for whatever reason you failed to protect."
"My ex-husband is a flaming faggot, exposing my son to god knows what and you're concerned with me not protecting Tucker?"
"I don’t care if your ex-husband sprouts wings and flies. He’s done nothing but protect and love your child who was beaten under your watch, Mrs. McKinnon. Can you tell me how a five year old child gets those kinds of bruises and you know nothing about it?"
Alicia sat back down.
"Tucker, where was your Mommy when Ashton hurt you?"
"She was in the bathtub with two bottles of wine." Tucker held up two fingers.
Judge Masterson took a deep breath. "Here's what's going to happen. The officers in the courtroom are going to arrest Mr. Lutz on child abuse charges. They are also going to arrest Mrs. McKinnon on child endangerment charges. I am awarding sole custody of Tucker to Mr. McKinnon with no visitation rights allowed to his mother."
Bronson pulled back from Nash and Tucker, making sure Nash had all of Tucker's weight. "If I may say something, your honor?"
"Yes, Mr. McKinnon?"
"I know it's no excuse, but my ex-wife is dealing with an alcohol problem. Instead of arresting her, I'd like to suggest she be sent to a residential rehab, preferably some place with palm trees. Once she finishes treatment, I'd like her to consider going back to school and finishing her communications degree. I'd be willing to renegotiate custody of Tucker at that time. My son needs his mother, sir, and I think Alicia can be the mother he needs after she gets a little help."
The judge nodded and turned to Alicia's dream team. "Mrs. McKinnon, what do you say to your ex-husband's suggestion?"
Alicia was twisting her hands together and chewing on her bottom lip. "I guess I could go to rehab."
"Yay, Mommy!" Tucker stuck his fist in the air. "I know you can do it!"
"Tucker, how do you know about rehab?" Judge Masterson asked with a smile on his face.
"Judge Judy send-ed someone to rehab and Grams told me it's like a hos-a-pal where they make you feel better."
"How did I know Judge Judy was involved somewhere?" The judge smiled at Tucker. "I'll go along with Mr. McKinnon's recommendation and not charge you with child endangerment if you enter a rehab facility and stay for a full three months, longer if the counselors suggest it. As for you, Mr. Lutz, I hope you rot in prison for what you've done to this little boy. You may have hurt his body, but thank God you didn't break his spirit." The judge banged his gavel. "Court dismissed."
25
Nash couldn’t believe it was really over. He stood stunned as the police officers in the courtroom arrested a struggling Ashton who was shouting for Alicia to bail him out. Oddly enough, Alicia never turned around to look at him. Once her fiancé was led from the room, she shook hands with her lawyers and started making her way toward them.
Their little group had grown, with Mitch and Peg hugging and quietly congratulating Bronson, telling him they’d believed in him all along. Remington gave his older brother a slap on the back, while Doctor Ben chatted quietly with Tucker.
Nash’s stomach started churning as Alicia got closer. He couldn’t help being a bit shocked when Bronson wrapped his arm protectively around him, pulling Nash closer to his side.
“Bronson,” Alicia said, looking him straight in the eye. “I’m sorry I was too self-absorbed to protect our son. Ashton had, uh,” she looked away, seeming to struggle with what she was about to say. “He’d hit me a few times. I should have left then and there, but I wasn’t strong enough to stand on my own two feet.”
“You’re going to need to find that strength damn quick. I’ve given you one last chance to be a mother to our son who loves you very much.”
“I love you, Mommy but you need to go to the hos-a-pal and let the nice people help you. Maybe you can find your own Doctor Ben.” Tucker smiled at his doctor.
Ben nodded. “One of my medical school colleagues works with a rehab clinic in South Padre Island, Texas. I’ll give him a call and see if I can pull some strings.”
“Texas?” Alicia looked ready to fight, but all of a sudden relaxed, the fight seeming to pass right out of her. “Well, it’s on an island, guess it can’t be too bad, right?”
“That’s the best decision you could have made.” Ben shook hands with Bronson and gave Nash and Tucker a quick squeeze. “I’ll be in touch.”
“We can’t thank you enough, Ben.” Nash was going to miss the doctor. He’d briefly considered introducing the man to Remington, but it was painfully obvious he was still stuck on his ex, Declan O’Toole. Maybe Ben and Knox would hit it off?
“Wait until you get my bill!” Ben laughed and headed out of the courtroom.
“I should get going too. There are a lot of things I need to get in order before I leave.” Alicia lifted a hand to Tucker’s face. “I’m sorry I let you down. I’ll try to do better.”
“No you won’t.” Tucker reached out to Alicia.
Nash let him go, reluctantly. He didn’t want the little boy out of his arms, but this was probably the last time he’d see his mother. It didn’t cross his mind to reprimand Tucker for the way he spoke to his mother. Nash figured he deserved a little leeway after the way he’d been treated.
“You will do better, Mommy,” Tucker said as if his word alone decided the matter. “I’ll draw you pictures while you’re gone.”
“Maybe we can write letters too, huh?” Nash smiled at Tucker.
Tucker nodded and reached out for Peg, who scooped the little boy out of his mother’s arms. “Good luck, Alicia. We’re all rooting for you to get better.” Without waiting for an answer, Peg headed off with Tucker.
“I’m sorry for the way I treated you both.” The look in Alicia’s ice blue eyes was sincere, if embarrassed. “Ashton used to rant and rave about how much he hated gay men and I guess I let his attitude influence mine. I know you were never happy with me, Bronson, but I hope you’ll find happiness with Nash. All Tucker does is talk about him, so he must be a good man.”
Nash looked up at Bronson, curious to
know how he would react to Alicia’s words.
“He’s the best man. Apology accepted, now go get better.”
Bronson turned toward Nash as Alicia walked away.
This was it. What Bronson said next was going to be the biggest moment of his life.
“Thank you so much for all you did to help Tucker through this, Nash. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for all you’ve done for my son.” Bronson twisted his hands together nervously.
It wasn’t exactly the declaration of undying love Nash was hoping for, but on the other hand Bronson wasn’t telling him to fuck off either. “You’re welcome. I love Tucker so much and wanted to be there for him any way I could.”
Nodding, Bronson took a deep breath. “I’ve been such a wreck since this whole thing started. I was fighting mad one minute and crying my heart out the next and my feelings for you got tangled up in the middle of it all.”
Nash knew exactly where Bronson was heading with this train of thought. He was going to say he needed some time to get his head screwed on right and that he wanted to spend as much time with his son as possible. Not that Nash would begrudge that to Bronson, but he also knew that he wasn’t going to be invited to be a part of Bronson’s healing process. Feeling numb down to his toes, all Nash could do was manage a brief nod.