Jace
“All rise,” the bailiff calls out to the practically empty closed courtroom.
Wooden chairs scrape against the tiled floor as the few people that have been granted access stand.
The court reporter, one bailiff at the judges chamber door, and another at the front entrance of the courtroom.
Gordon is by my side as usual but it feels tiny compared to what my mother has brought with her.
She stands dressed in a navy-blue tweed suit and beige heels, looking like the self-proclaimed and domineering matriarch that she is. Her hair pulled back into a low bun, making her appear older than she is.
Beside her, not one but two powerhouse attorney’s, both dressed in matching suits that I recognize. Not necessarily the brand but the look. I’ve been dressed in enough high-end designer suits to know one when I see one.
Judge Fortier enters the room and sits at his bench. Then instructs us to be seated.
He flips over a few pages as he peers down his nose through his glasses and there’s nothing but silence surrounding us.
I side-eye a glance over at my mother. Her chin is held high, her mouth tight and she has yet to make eye contact with me.
The rule-following son and natural people pleaser in me hates when she acts that way. It’s something I know I need to work on, being more assertive and stop allowing people to walk all over me. I remind myself there is nothing wrong with me and I’m more than capable of making my own choices.
I push aside the demeaning remarks my mother always says to me, the ones that typically play like a broken record in my mind, and recall the words Gordon said to me instead.
You are not a nice person. You’re a good person. There’s a difference. Create your boundaries and speak your truth.
This is me, creating boundaries and standing up for myself for the first time in my life. I tilt my chin up with confidence and sit to my full height as the judge glances over the wooden partition at both of us.
“I’ve familiarized myself with the hearing in which the conservatorship was placed and the reason behind it. I’d like to give you both an opportunity to speak before I make a decision.” He looks at me as he pulls his glasses off. “Mr. Wilder, is there anything you’d like to say?”
My chest pulls in a large inhale as I give him a sharp, silent nod and stand.
“Yes, your honor. Thank you.” I button my suit jacket, swallowing thickly, huffing out a nervous breath.
“Ten years ago, I made a mistake that cost someone their life. At that time, it was stated by my mother that I was not of sound mind. She said I was reckless and impulsive leading to a determination that I should not be allowed to have control over, not only my finances, but daily activities. I’ve lived in a prison, not only with regret, but because of the actions of my mother and her abuse of the conservatorship.
” I pause, glancing over to my mother, looking more like a stone gargoyle than a human and I find the strength to continue.
“She’s left me paralyzed and powerless and I assure you that I’m more than capable of making my own decisions regarding my health, finances, and daily activities.
I would love to be able to use the excuse that I was not in my right mind during the time of the accident.
That would make living with the truth of me just being an unruly teenager, not understanding the consequences of his actions, easier to bear.
I always was and am fully capable. I’m asking for this conservatorship to be relinquished so I can have the freedom to control what my future looks like, your honor. ”
I nod and thank him, then sit back down.
The expressionless judge, more difficult to read than an ancient hieroglyphic wall, writes some notes on his pad then glances over to my mother.
“Mrs. Wilder?”
She doesn’t stand, which shocks me. The woman that likes to control the narrative in every situation, remains silent as her attorney rises beside her.
“Your honor, I’m Trent Williams, Mrs. Wilder’s attorney. She would like to make a motion to the court to retain the rights of Mr. Wilder’s conservatorship as well as acquiring the protection and oversight rights of his conservatorship.”
“What?” Gordon whispers.
Turning to him, I ask. “What the hell does that mean.?”
“She could restrict you from doing any of the movies you want. Spending time with people. Where you travel. She can practically lock you in your room if she wants.”
Sheer panic passes through me and I attempt to stand, but Gordon presses into my forearm, holding me down.
“After Mr. Wilder turned eighteen, he was given some freedom and he has abused those rights by his recent actions, choice of movies, and the friends he associates himself with. She feels that Mr. Wilder’s recent behavior has become more erratic and unpredictable and it’s necessary for his safety and the safety of others. ”
The blood drains from my face and bile rises to my throat as I take in everything he’s saying.
I don’t even having any fucking friends. I do everything she says. I’m not crazy but she’s driving me to the brink of insanity with these gaslighting comments and outright fucking lies.
I stand, my chair screeches backward harder than intended and I place my palms on the desk in front of me as I peer over to my mother. “You can’t do that!”
She pins a look in my direction, a lop-sided villainous smirk crossing that stone cold face of hers, and she puts her palm out as she turns to look at the judge, proving her point without words.
Gordon’s palm pulls on my forearm, as he pulls my chair back behind me and guides me down to sit.
Fuck.
The judge’s eyes dart between my mother and I, his expression completely unreadable.
“I’m unwilling to make a final decision at this time.
It’s standard procedure for the conservatee to be seen by a court-appointed therapist to evaluate his mental status and condition.
I’m calling for that as well as requiring both parties to provide a list of their liability and assets, along with the movie contracts that Mr. Wilder agreed on his own accord.
I will also be assigning a panel investigator to oversee the actions of Mr. Wilder during this time.
We will reconvene in one month for a hearing on my decision.
” He looks between me and my mother. “Do either of you have anything to add?”
My mother’s attorney stands again. “Your honor. Mr. Wilder recently filmed a movie without the express permission of his conservator. The press tour for this film starts in two weeks and that’s creating concern with his recent behavior.
She’d like to make a second motion to null and void the contract, preventing his appearances for the press tour and the film’s release. ”
What the fuck?
Gordon’s hand presses into the top of my thigh, squeezing hard preventing me from another outburst.
“We have to say something,” I whisper-yell at Gordon.
“Nothing good will come out of you raging through here like a tornado. The judge will rule against you. Get a hold of yourself,” he says through tight lips.
I can’t fucking believe this. I have to sit here and say nothing.
Anxiety rolls through me like thunder and lightning, coming in uncontrollable waves as I watch the judge.
He glances down at his pile of papers, flips through a couple then looks over the top of his desk at her attorney.
“His choice of work is one of the conditions that falls within his rights and I don’t see any harm in allowing that to continue during the investigation. He should maintain his obligations to that contract while the court's investigation is ongoing. Motion denied.”
Oh my god. Thank god. Relief washes over me but I still have the next thirty days to get through.
My mother glares at her attorney and the satisfaction of her disappointment is the highlight of my year.
Well, maybe it’s a close second to meeting Lennox.
“Mr. Wilder, it’s not within your rights of the conservatorship to hire your own attorney, would you like the court to appoint you one?”
Gordon nods as he whispers to me, “Can’t hurt.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you,” I reply with the least amount of words possible.
“Very well,” he states, writing another note on his pad.
“A reminder to all participants in this courtroom. There’s a gag order in place to protect the parties involved, as this hearing and the details within it, are sealed.
None of this is to be discussed to the press or anyone else not privy to this information.
The court is adjourned." He crashes his gavel to the wooden block and exits swiftly.
“See, he was fair,” Gordon says, but I turn looking at my mother who’s standing abruptly as she grabs her purse, straightening out her expensive suit.
Her heels clack on the floor as she makes her way over to the desk I’m sitting at and I stand to meet her gaze.
She’s only an inch shorter than me with them on but her domineering presence suggests otherwise.
“You need to do the right thing for everyone and stop this nonsense.” She softens, her gaze like she’s trying to comfort me. “You see that I’m only trying to help you, Jace. I’m protecting you.” She even runs her palm over the side of my arm as if the gesture would be comforting.
The two-faced woman I hardly recognize as my mother anymore is a better actor than I am. She never used to be this bad. At least I never thought so, but in the last couple of years something has shifted or maybe I’ve finally realized it was never about her love for me and all about control.
“Spoken like a true narcissist,” I reply, coolly.
Her face hardens back to that statuesque woman she portrays herself to be. “Society doesn’t need you to make decisions for yourself and I will continue to fight this to see that it doesn’t happen.”
My stomach lurches to my throat with the threat, because if I know anything about my mother, she never gives up.
I fight the urge to give in to her as I usually do, but I have to keep pushing. I have to try.
She steps back, exiting through the side door to avoid being seen.
Gordon huffs out a long relieved breath, as if he didn’t take in any air in her presence.
“You know, I like this new and improved Jace.” He pats me on the back. “I don’t care what anyone thinks, he’s been a good influence on you.”
Smothering my smile, I do my best to push the thought of Lennox aside because I still have a lot to prove over the next thirty days and the press tour in the middle of it is going to create a lot more attention than I’d like right now.
Especially with Lennox Rome at my side.