Chapter 7 - The Eviction
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Maya stepped forward, extending the thick stack of legal documents toward the handcuffed Daniel.
"Daniel Mercer, you have been formally served with an emergency, ex-parte protective order," Maya announced clearly. "It strictly prohibits any direct or indirect contact with my client, and legally excludes you from this property pending a full judicial hearing. If you return, you will be arrested for a felony violation."
Daniel stared at the papers, his jaw working furiously, finally realizing the catastrophic magnitude of what was happening.
Maya then turned her sharp, unrelenting gaze onto Lorraine. She handed the older woman a separate, equally intimidating legal document.
"Mrs. Mercer, this is your formal, legal notice terminating your occupancy within this residence immediately," Maya stated.
Lorraine snatched the paper, her eyes frantically reading the first page twice, desperately searching for a legal loophole or a technicality that simply did not exist.
"You can’t just throw me out on the street!" Lorraine demanded indignantly, her voice shrill. "I’m family! This is my son's house!"
"Family doesn’t celebrate when a pregnant woman receives bruises," I answered, my voice steady and completely devoid of pity. "And it isn't his house. You have thirty days to remove your belongings under sheriff's supervision, or they will be thrown in a dumpster."
Daniel finally began desperate, pathetic bargaining as Officer Grant physically led him toward the front door. The charming, successful facade had completely disintegrated.
"Claire, please! It was just stress! It’s the baby coming, I just lost my temper!" Daniel pleaded, struggling against the cuffs. "It was my mother! She was winding me up! Don't do this to me, Claire!"
May you like
I said absolutely nothing. I didn't owe him an explanation or absolution.
The very last thing Daniel saw before being shoved into the back of the marked police SUV was Maya gently kneeling on the kitchen floor, helping me gather our unborn daughter’s tiny, pristine hospital clothes that he had so carelessly thrown across the dirty tile.
