Chapter XXIV
WINONA’S EYES WERE glued to the nun’s mouth as the words were spoken. She swayed hard toward Mae before fainting. Mae's arms shot out to catch her, but Winona’s substantial weight was too much for Mae's thin stature. The best she could do was soften the woman’s landing.
The nun gasped and hunched over Winona’s limp body. “Oh, dear,” she exclaimed. “I’ll get the smelling salts.” With that she rounded toward the door, the sound of the heavy wood slamming tight resounded in Mae's ears.
“Winona…” Mae called to her as she gently shook her. “Winona.” The second request was harsher, and Mae resorted to gripping her chin and shaking her head back and forth.
The nun reappeared with the salts and passed them through the crack in the door. Mae wafted them under Winona’s nose. As her eyes fluttered open, Mae heaved a sigh of relief and sat back on her heels. Blood flowed back into Winona’s features, and Mae strained to heave her to a standing position.
Convinced of Winona’s improved status, the nun reminded Mae that they must return the next day.
Shouldering some of Winona’s weight, Mae dragged her back to the streetcar stop and let her lean against the streetlamp pole.
Entering the car, Mae paid both their fares and asked the conductor for his recommendation regarding a reputable and affordable hotel.
As they settled onto the wooden bench, Winona’s listless form suddenly puffed up with rage.
She turned on Mae in the seat, and her voice sliced through the quiet night air.
“You! You said we should go to the courthouse first! I knew I should’ve gone right to ‘er! I could’ve grabbed ‘er then and there. Me Lily could be wit me now if I’d’ve only done what I knew had to be done. ”
Mae's body went rigid at this fervent display of anger. Suddenly the wooden bench felt like a trap, keeping her from escaping this incensed woman. “If you’d gone to her—if anyone saw—you’d’ve been arrested.”
“No one would’ve seen! And if they did, it would’ve been worth it to hold me Lily one more time.
Now I’ll likely never hold ‘er again!” Mae's eyes darted about the car, but the conductor was her only other company and he was keeping his eyes firmly on the road ahead of him. “You. You. You. It’s always about you. Always what you think is best. What you think will get yer boy back to ye. But never about me Lily. Not once did she truly factor in. I’m done wit ye.
Done, I say! Tomorrow I’m goin’ back to the home and as soon as I see me Lily, I’m takin ‘er. Ye may be happy to sit and wait fer the law, but I ain’t.
It never did me no good, anyway.” After this last outburst, Winona stood up and moved to another bench.
When the conductor announced the stop for the hotel he’d recommended, Mae stood up. Winona didn’t move. Mae opened her mouth to speak, “Winona—”
Winona turned away in her seat. “Off wit ye. I’m done, I said.” The words cut through Mae. For an instant, she stood willing Winona to stand up, to follow her, but Winona didn’t. Instead, Mae exited the streetcar, glancing back at the car as it pulled away, taking her only friend with it.
The sounds died away, and silence ensued.
Mae looked around hesitantly at the buildings looming over her.
She wandered off in the direction of the hotel.
It took all her energy to put one foot in front of the other.
Each movement sent a searing pain into the center of her chest. She kept her head down, and as she continued toward the hotel, she saw little drops of water spilling sporadically onto the packed, dry earth.
She knew rain in February was as unlikely as Lily’s rescue.
Her tears couldn’t wash away the stain of reproof.
After a restless night on the hard hotel bed, Mae's body was just as weary as her heart. She dragged herself down to the courthouse. Thoughts of Winona flitted through her mind. Where had she slept? She didn’t have any money for a separate hotel room.
Would the family approve of the adoption before Winona could get there?
Would Winona get caught and arrested trying to abduct her own daughter?
Each question felt like a noose tightening around Mae's throat. She had to get the judge to understand her position. It wasn’t just for Simon now—it was also for Winona and Lily.
As she ascended the steps of the courthouse, a familiar figure appeared.
The stench of cigarettes announced the presence of the man in the felt hat.
Mae gritted her teeth. He was standing directly in her path from the stairs to the front door.
She scanned for help—for witnesses whom she could rely on.
The only people around were scurrying toward the open double doors, much too focused on themselves to notice a single woman being ‘met’ by a man on the front step.
“Hello, Mrs. Turner. It’s nice to see you again.
” His lips curled back into a smile, and his eye teeth glistened in the early morning sun.
“I see that you are booked for an audience with Justice Thomas this morning.” Mae's muscles seized at this unknowable knowledge. “I am sure he will listen intently to your request and deliver a speedy verdict.” His eyes were unreadable, and she couldn’t help the tingling feeling that inched up her spine at his calm prediction.
“The law can be quite convincing when used correctly.” As Mae made the pronouncement, a small queasiness erupted in her stomach. The argument she had prepared so thoughtfully in her mind in the previous days suddenly felt like trying to fight off a bear with a branch.
“Yes, well, I’m sure you’ve prepared assiduously for the case as you always do.” The resounding sound of his voice remained even and calm. “Just remember that the wheels of justice turn slowly, especially when working over impediments. The smoothest roads make for the quickest travel.”
Mae's eyebrows slammed down into a V-shape as her eyes narrowed.
“I’m sure you are correct. The wheels of justice turn slowly but effectively.” She couldn’t keep the waver out of her voice at this proclamation. After the situation with Beatrice, she knew he didn’t have to be in the courtroom to have an effect.
“Good luck, Mrs. Turner.” His attempt at sincerity rang hollow as he gestured her towards the open double doors.
Mae kept her gait even as she passed him, and once inside the doors, she let herself release the breath she was holding.
Nodding politely at the bailiff holding the door, she slipped into the courtroom and took a seat near the front of the gallery.
As nine o’clock came and went, Mae began to feel anxious about the delay.
She thought of all the spinning plates balancing upon this one verdict.
If this didn’t work, what would happen to Simon and Lily?
She reassured herself that it had to work.
She mentally prepared her arguments and precedents again.
There was no way the judge could refuse her legal logic.
Finally, the judge finished his morning docket and directed the bailiff to bring her to the bench.
As she approached, the judge stood, his bent stature still towering over her.
“Your case is better heard in chambers. Please follow me.” The bailiff preceded them to chambers, and Mae followed behind the hunched-over elderly gentleman, fingering the pocket watch discreetly to strengthen her resolve.
Seating himself behind his mahogany desk, he lit his pipe. Between puffs, he motioned for her to sit. “Now, Mrs. Turner, please proceed with the reasoning behind the motion so I can be brought up to speed with the facts of the case.”
Mae’s throat began to constrict. She couldn’t tell if it was from the smoke or the fear of this moment rising up in her body.
“Yes, Your Honor. It has come to the attention of the courts of New York City that there have been irregularities identified in the removal case of Simon Turner. Due to this concern, Judge Matthews has issued a stay of adoption proceedings. It is the position of the office of Henry Turner, Esquire, that in light of these issues and the attestation of said judge, the child be remanded to his mother’s care. ”
He tilted his head in thought. “Irregularities, you say? And what would these irregularities be?”
Mae hesitated. How much should she divulge about the alleged corruption?
She couldn’t yet prove anything. The image of the man in the felt hat blazed in her mind’s eye.
She decided to tread lightly on this. “Well, for one, the paperwork was incomplete. Upon closer review, several required attestations are absent, which are material omissions in the supporting documentation. The record relied on summary notation where sworn statements would ordinarily be required.” Mae paused.
The judge’s eyebrows lifted slightly as he listened intently.
“Second, per Doyle, a parent’s right is not forfeited by misfortune.
Terms such as ‘unfit’ or ‘neglectful’ appear without accompanying factual findings.
And there is no indication that adequate notice was provided to the mother prior to disposition. ”
Mae paused to draw a steadying breath and continued before she lost her nerve. “And where notice is absent, Your Honor, jurisdiction over the parent is never properly obtained. Without jurisdiction, the removal order is void—not merely defective.”
Mae paused again, hoping that the judge would intervene and provide an approving nod or even a counter to her first points so she would have a moment to sharpen her words. But he did not.
“If the originating order is void, then any subsequent placement—whether in this state or another—rests upon that same defect. The foundation itself cannot sustain the structure built upon it.”