And You Will Find Love

"I could tell that Tim was very proud of his mother and did not resent her time away from him. In fact, it seemed to make their reunions even more meaningful than those other boys had with their mothers who were able to visit them every week or so.

Incidentally, boys are kept pretty busy at Glenview and most parents are too busy to see them even that often.

"I also came to know Miss Markey after Mrs. Riordan's death, and can testify that I rarely have found more concern or loyalty and love for a boy than she gave Tim. Speaking from my experience as a former counselor at Glenview, I would expect that Miss Markey would make an exemplary mother. I do not believe that her war work, which as a soldier fighting in this war I also consider to be exemplary, should dissuade the court from ruling in her favor. Therefore, I urge the court to grant Miss Markey custody of Tim Riordan."

Barbara was near to tears as she imagined hearing Stephen speaking what he had written to the court.

With the reading of Stephen's letter, both sides rested their cases.

"It's late in the afternoon and I need more time to consider the case," Judge Collins said. He was obviously tired from missing his usual afternoon nap at home in the exclusive North Shore suburb of Kenilworth. "The court will therefore render its decision tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. The petitioners and respondent will please be present with their attorneys, but character witnesses need not be."

Barbara left the courtroom with her friends, uncertain as to how the judge would rule the next day and feeling as she were flying blind in a rainstorm. Her friends consoled her at their reunion that night, but she still felt as if the scales of justice were leaning against her.

"I've been so preoccupied," she told Edna afterward, "I haven't had a chance to ask how Buck is."

Edna had not wanted to give her any bad news, on top of her anxieties about getting custody of her godson. "Buck passed away last week. He just drifted off in his sleep and never woke up."

"He was the only father I really knew," Barbara said as she and her good friend embraced. "I wish I could have been with you."

She also wished she had been at Buck Genda's funeral. She could not remember being at her father's funeral. Now she had missed that of the man she had come to regard as her father.