Chapter Twenty-Six

On Friday morning, Mark arrives to meet Bodhi for the first time. Despite Margo’s joking warnings to Jinx about Mark’s height, the meeting goes smoothly. Mark is tearful and immediately engages with Bodhi on the floor, delighting in him. Jinx keeps to the kitchen, offering tea and snacks, while Margo notes how sincerely Mark seems to enjoy his son.

The doorbell rings: CPS’s Maribel appears for an unannounced visit. Margo quickly retrieves a prepared binder. When they sit, Maribel leads by flagging Jinx’s positive opiate test and asks if he plans to stop methadone. Margo counters that Jinx is moving out and produces his lease. Maribel then escalates, demanding a hair follicle test from Margo despite her clean urine screen.

Guided by Ward’s strategy, Margo refuses the hair test without a warrant, asserting their rights and noting CPS entered previously under threat. Maribel warns refusal looks guilty, but Margo regains composure, presents the binder: her 730 evaluation, Mark’s letter supporting her OnlyFans work, and case law equating cam work with OnlyFans, including a successful lawsuit by a camgirl. She also provides Ward’s letter threatening action over prior rights violations.

Confronted with potential legal exposure, Maribel softens. She acknowledges the home’s safety focus, affirms the negative urine test and corroborating interviews, and counts this as the second home visit, effectively concluding the investigation. She offers her contact information and indicates the case will close unless a new complaint arises.

After signing closure paperwork, Margo walks Maribel to the door and, despite everything, wishes her well on her pregnancy. Maribel departs, leaving Margo with relief and the sense that her preparation and resolve protected her family and ended the CPS threat.