“So what exactly are my chances here? Give it to me straight.”

I look at the Family Law attorney that Mike has recommended, Hope Fenwell, who specializes in exactly my sort of problem.

“Well, most judges do like to have the same person in charge of both the estate and the person, so your case is already an unusual one. However, considering the amount in the trust, the current set up is understandable. I’m sure any judge will see the wisdom of keeping you in charge of the trust and estate.”

I relax only a little, waiting for the “but” to come. Sure enough, she follows up with the bad news.

“On the other hand, your mother does have a lot working in her favor when it comes to both the estate and your nephew. One, she has experience of being a caretaker on her side.”

“Seriously?” I blurt out.

Hope gives me a direct look. “Can you pinpoint any situations where she was neglectful or abusive?”

I just press my lips together, feeling the ache in my jaw begin to throb as it hardens in frustration.

Hope nods as though that answers that. “Any court is going to look at the fact that she raised two mentally, physically, and emotionally sound, not to mention quite successful, men and see that as a bonus. The fact that Kevin also seems to have raised a seemingly normal child without any issues is also an indirect point in her favor.”

The fact that my mother gets any credit whatsoever in how Kevin, I, or even Stuart has turned out is laughable.

“Mike tells me that you plan on eventually challenging Simone Parker for guardianship over your nephew?”

I snap my head his way and he just nods.

Hope gives me a placating smile. “We’re both your attorneys, Mr. Bennett. We’re here to help you, and only you, get what you want. My job during this initial meeting is to, as you put it, give it to you straight. As such, I need you be straight with me as well.”

I calm down a bit, my respect for her going up a notch or two.

“Okay, yes, I do plan on challenging Simone for guardianship over Stuart.”

“You haven’t told her or anyone else yet, have you?”

“Of course not.”

“Good,” she nods. “We should keep it that way. As far as Simone or anyone else is concerned, you’re only interested in doing what’s financially sound for your nephew’s sake right now.

“As for actually getting guardianship over Stuart, to be frank, your mother has a much better chance than you do. There is evidence of several visits with him. She’s also been pretty regular with birthday and Christmas presents.”

“I’ve given my nephew gifts,” I say a little more defensively than I intend.

“There’s a difference between gifting shares of stock and buying LEGO sets and toy cars, Mr. Bennett,” She says, giving me a patronizing smile. “Your mother seems to have taken into account your nephew’s actual wants and wishes. As for Simone, regular interaction is a huge point in her favor.”

“Perhaps we can get to the part where you two solve this issue for me instead of pointing out my failings as an uncle,” I say testily. “That is what I’m paying you for.”

Hope remains perfectly placid. “Yes, you are. So let’s work on that.”

I try to relax my body, working my jaw to loosen it. Getting emotional won’t help things.

“You and Simone Parker have a common interest, fighting your mother in her challenge to your respective guardianship roles. The one thing that works very much in both your favors is that Kevin and Bette both named you two as guardians. That weighs very heavily with the court.”

She squints, giving a considering look. “What doesn’t work in your favor is that you, to put it bluntly, suck on paper when it comes to being Stuart’s guardian over his person.”

I feel my muscles tighten, then force them to relax. Right now I need a little blunt talk.

“On the other side of the equation, Simone sucks on paper when it comes to being guardian over the trust and estate. Fortunately, she hasn’t challenged you on that…yet.”

That thought sends a wave of dread through me. Simone, controlling half of Bennett Financial? Sweet Jesus.

“Now, we have your mother, the best of both worlds, challenging you both. She has the added benefit of trying to combine guardianship over the person, trust and estate under one umbrella which, as I stated, the courts prefer. It creates a less tension-filled environment for the child.”

I search her face looking for the accusation there. Perhaps it’s my own guilt speaking to me. I feel a tiny hint of it as I consider the effect this “tension” between Simone and I may have on Stuart already. Hopefully, this meeting will solve that.

“Let’s get to the point here,” she says and leans in closer. “You and Simone Parker need to create a united front. No fighting, no arguments, not even the occasional snide remark. Whatever she decides to do as far as raising Stuart, short of actually causing harm to your nephew, you need to agree with. You also need to get her to agree to any financial decisions you make, no questions asked.”

I can feel my eyes itching to roll at allowing Simone free rein over Stuart.

“I know,” Hope says, as though reading my thoughts. “For now you need to, at least mentally, forget about challenging her for guardianship. That can come later.”

“Fine.”

“There’s more,” she continues. “I’m sure you’re not the only one who has been…gathering evidence here. Your mother is a smart woman. I know the attorneys she’s hired and they are thorough, very thorough. No doubt they’ve already been accumulating evidence against both of you.”

I sit up so rapidly I nearly shoot out of my seat. My mind races as I review each and every interaction I’ve had with either Stuart or Simone. I relax just a bit when I realize that most of those replays in my head—brunch, the park, even, in a certain way, her silly Manhattan Wake—paint us both in a surprisingly favorable light.

“So right now our number one priority is to make sure that you, Simone, and Stuart look like the perfect happy family.”

I heave a frustrated sigh and settle back into my seat. “That may be complicated. She isn’t exactly my number one fan, and as far as I’m concerned the feeling is mutual.”

“Then, you need to get over yourself.”

I give her a sharp look.

“You wanted straight talk,” she says giving me a direct look. “You have to play nice with her, and convince her to do the same.”

“And this is going to work?”

“It may,” she says noncommittally.

“I don’t deal in ‘may’ Ms. Fenwell. ‘May’ is for people who lose. I don’t lose.”

She sighs then turns to Mike. He just raises his eyebrows with a knowing smile. She turns back to me with a thoughtful look.

“How committed are you to preventing your mother from gaining guardianship?”

“I don’t half-ass things.”

“There may be a way that even the courts couldn’t argue with. It’s tricky though, and you’d have to be convincing.”

“Just tell me what it is.”

They look at one another once again, then she turns back to me and tells me her plan.