He jabbed his fingers through his hair and left them there while he shook his head. “I hate to bother you...I know you’re busy...but I was wondering if you could spare a few minutes.”
“Of course. Come in, come in. Coffee?” She held up the mug cradled in her hands. “I just drained the pot but I can make more. Come on into the kitchen.”
“I don’t want you to go to any trouble.”
“It’s just coffee. No trouble at all.”
She led the way and offered him a seat at the island. That’s when she noticed the envelope in his hand. He didn’t say anything as she poured water into the coffeemaker and scooped coffee into the basket. He really wasn’t himself and she assumed his concern was due to whatever was inside that package.
She left her mug on the counter next to the coffeemaker and took another out of the cupboard, then she sat across from him. “Okay, what’s up? I’m guessing it’s not good.”
“It isn’t. In fact I can’t think of anything worse.”
For a man whose daughter had run away less than a week ago, that was really saying something. She reached out, put her hand on the back of his, and waited for him to speak.
“Is Casey here?” he asked.
“She’s walking the dog.”
“Ah.”
“Why?”
“I was wondering if maybe Kate had already talked to her.” He turned his hand and wrapped his fingers around hers, as though he needed something to hold on to.
“I don’t know. What’s in the envelope?”
“Court documents.”
She felt her eyebrows go up. “This doesn’t have anything to do with the girls’ little escapade the other day, does it?” Surely she would have heard something, too, if it did.
“Yes. No. Not directly.”
Whatever it was, she could see this was hard for him. Rather than keep pressing, she had to let him get the story out his way.
He pulled some official-looking documents out of the envelope. “These are from Georgette’s lawyer. She’s applying for full custody of Kate.”
Sarah opened her mouth. No, there were no words, so she snapped it shut.
“She wants to take her to Europe and enroll her in boarding school.”
Sarah was off her chair in a flash, dragging her hand out of Jonathan’s in the process. “You can’t be serious. Boarding school? What did Kate say when you told her?”
Or maybe Kate wanted to go and that’s what had Jonathan all tied up in knots?
“She said no way. She says we’re ruining her life, that she hates her mother, and that she’ll run away again if we make her go.”
“The poor kid. I don’t believe for a minute that she’ll run away again, but I’ll be happy to talk to her, if you like.”
“That would be great. I know she respects what you have to say.”
Obviously the same couldn’t be said about the girl’s mother right now. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
The coffee was ready so she poured a cup and passed it to him, then returned to her seat with hers.
“Have you talked to your lawyer?” she asked.
He looked defeated. “No. I called and left a message so he’ll probably call on Monday.”
Sarah was willing to bet Georgette and her lawyer had purposely timed it so these papers arrived when Jonathan’s lawyer wasn’t available, leaving him to stew about this all weekend. What a hateful thing to do.
“I’m sure you have nothing to worry about,” she said. Which was a big fat lie and they both knew it, but she pressed on with it anyway. “You’re a great dad and Kate belongs here with you, not locked away in some hoity-toity boarding school. Besides, that must cost a fortune.”
“For Georgette, money isn’t an issue.” He gulped a mouthful of coffee. “And because there’s a lot more money in her bank account than there is in mine, she believes the court will rule in her favor.”
“Money isn’t everything. Kids need a family, not a fortune. They need parents to be there when they need them, setting an example for them. You’re not just Kate’s father, you’re the role model who shows her how to live her life. Who’s going to fill that role at a boarding school?”
Jonathan shook his head. “I don’t know anything about boarding schools.”
“Neither do I.” But she knew that the kids who went there wouldn’t get to spend much time with their families. “Has Kate talked to her mother about this and told her how she feels?”
“No, not yet. And as it turns out, that’s part of the problem. Georgette called her several times this week and Kate never answered. Now, along with being convinced I’m an irresponsible parent who doesn’t supervise his kid, she thinks I’ve turned Kate against her.”