Chapter 35

 

Helen and was taken into custody when she was released from the hospital. Her attorney submitted a case of incompetency to stand trial. Although Kristen knew otherwise, she agreed it was the best option to get the charges dropped or reduced.

The first court date to hear Helen’s case to determine if she should go to trial was in a few days. Kristen racked her mind to come up with something that could help Helen. She voiced her concerns to her attorney and asked for his advice.

Sitting across from her in Andrew’s study, Mark showed his disapproval. “How can you want to help her after all she’s done to you?”

Her reply came easily. “She’s still my mother-in-law and the grandmother of my daughter.”

Mark looked confused. “Is there something you’re not telling me? I thought you said your husband was gay, so we assumed Hailey wasn’t his.”

“He’s not Hailey’s father, Ethan is.”

A brief flicker of surprise crossed his face before relief. “Now you tell me. I knew something was fishy between you too.”

Kristen chortled. “It’s not the romantic notion you have about us.”

“What’s more romantic than a love story with you two having a love child, then ending up back together?” Mark asked.

A crackling laugh resounded from her. “I had no idea you were such hopeless romantic.”

“What can I say, who doesn’t like romance,” he replied before a somber expression returned. “Now this thing with Helen, are you seriously considering helping her?”

“Yes.”

“All right. I’ll arrange for you to speak on her behalf, ask the court for leniency. You’re the victim, so the court will listen to you.”

With that settled, Kristen’s mind was in a better place. Helen had already dropped the lawsuits she brought against Kristen. It would have been redundant to pursue them anyway, given her actions against Kristen. In Kristen’s mind, they were making progress and she too dropped her countersuit.

She knew many people may not understand or agree with her actions. This wasn’t up to them. What she wanted was an end to this feud between her and Helen. This was not just about her, but about Ethan, Hailey, and the entire family.

Just as she’d protected Andrew from scrutiny, knowing the discrimination that LGBT people faced, she’d protect Helen. Andrew had done terrible things as well and she had protected him the best way she could. Helen was no different.

Not only was Andrew gay, he had a disease that would surely affect the way the business community dealt with him. He felt that coming out would affect the business in a big way. He knew there would be a falling out between his strict conservative parents and himself as well.

Kristen pushed all that aside and stood. Andrew’s office was the same as he left it. She’d have to make some changes. Andrew was gone and now Ethan was here. Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of his name. Fleetingly, she wondered what his plans were. He said he wanted the marriage to work. She wondered why that was.

 

*

 

The courtroom was packed to the hilt. You could hear a needle drop at the deafening silence as no one dared speak. Helen looked forlorn and dejected. Kristen had never seen her like that and wondered what the woman was thinking. Was she sorry or did she just feel the weight of everything crashing in?

The presiding judge, Federal Judge Crenshaw, was known for his stringent courtroom rules and harsh punishments. Silently he read from his file while the court guard stood like a statute by the bench. Mr. Brown sat subdued, much like Helen as they all waited for the judge to speak.

“Mr. Brown,” Judge Crenshaw said. His voice was a rumbling sound that resonated off the walls. No wonder people feared him. “You’ve submitted a case of incompetency for the defendant?”

Mr. Brown stood, appearing quite intimidated, a complete opposite to his usual demeanor. “Yes, Your Honor. Mrs. Broderick has undergone a great deal of stress. She was not in her right mental faculties when she did these things, Your Honor.”

“Very well,” the judge said, then shifted his eyes to Kristen. “Miss Broderick, you have submitted a written statement to the court. Do you have anything else to add?”

With a quiver in her stomach, Kristen stood. “Yes, Your Honor. I agree that my mother-in-law may not have been in her right mind when she did those things. She loved her son very much. She’d already thought she lost one son when he walked away from the family business, Your Honor. She felt that I had taken Andrew from her. He bought a new house after living in the family home all his life. He was now devoted to me, instead of her…

“Your Honor,” Kristen continued. “I know she must have felt lonely without her son. That is why she did all this. If it pleases the court, I don’t want her punished.” 

“We can’t just drop the charges, Mrs. Broderick. What do you suggest?”

“Community service? I mean, her granddaughter needs to know her grandmother. Her son needs his mother. I know she’s good person somewhere inside. She just needs a chance to show it.”

Judge Crenshaw nodded. “You have a generous heart, Mrs. Broderick. We’ll come back two weeks to from today to hear the competency case. We’ll take your statement into consideration, Mrs. Broderick.”

It was now out of her hands. The court session ended and Helen was taken back to the holding cell. Kristen wanted to see her there, but both she and Ethan thought it wasn’t a good idea as she for sure was in a bad state of mind. What if upon seeing her Helen reacted negatively? That wasn’t a chance Kristen wanted to take.

She had wanted to speak with Helen since she’d taken ill but never got the chance. Talking to her may just have to wait until the case was closed.

 

*

 

Two weeks skipped by quickly and Helen’s case was heard. In the two weeks preceding the hearing, Helen underwent a psychiatric evaluation as per the requirement. Her personal therapist was called as witness as well as the psychiatrist appointed for her evaluation

 According to her psychiatrist, she was experiencing severe depression due to the loss of her son. The state-appointed evaluator concurred with that. In addition, they found that Helen might have suffered what is known as brief psychotic disorder. This was most likely triggered by the depression caused by the loss of her son.

Judge Crenshaw did not take long to come to a judgment. Helen was to be admitted to a psychiatric facility where she would undergo treatment for six months at which time another evaluation would determine her release. After her release, she was to do eight months of community service.

As the judge handed down the sentence and credited Kristen for her role in asking for leniency, Helen stared at her with moist eyes. Kristen was unsure of why Helen was crying, but she was happy about the outcome.

The court session ended and Helen was to be transported to the facility right away. The judge left the room and people began to disperse. Ethan moved over to his mother where they were removing Helen’s cuffs and a group of medical personnel waited to take her away.

“Mother, I’ll come see you when they permit me,” he said, his voice thick.

Tears streamed down Helen’s face as Kristen watched from a few feet away. Ethan’s eyes also moistened as he took his mother into his arms and held her.

“Now that’s a mother-son moment,” someone close to Kristen commented. She turned to see Mark grinning.

“Yeah, it worked out for the best, I think,” Kristen said. “Helen has learned her lesson and I get to keep my daughter…”

“And marry the man of your dreams.”

“Oh, cut it will you.”

Mark laughed lightly. “You know I’m right.”

While the two exchanged lighthearted banter, Helen was taken away. Ethan strolled over and Mark bade them farewell. As she and Ethan left the courthouse, she realized that it was all over. At least she hoped it was. The judge warned Helen that if she did anything remotely resembling a crime, they’d lock her up.

“It’s over,” she muttered when they were on the steps. Her breath misted in the cold late autumn air. “It’s really over.”