Contents
Chapter 29
Overview
At the second mediation, Jeremy escalates to demanding full custody, brandishing a photo of Teddy’s stabbed toy and alleging harassment and neglect. Ezra dismantles the claims and reveals Veronica’s heroin arrest, stalling their case. Naomi blurts a poisoning suspicion, and Ezra urges restraint to avoid appearing unstable.
Summary
Naomi arrives for a second mediation session with Ezra, who aims to resolve custody without an expensive trial. Inside, Jeremy’s lawyer, Leonard Hardwick, announces a new position: Jeremy now seeks full custody with only visitation for Naomi, citing her supposed instability.
Hardwick produces a dramatic photo of Teddy’s stuffed elephant stabbed and oozing filling, claiming Naomi did it. Naomi denies it, and Ezra dismisses the photo as unprovable. Jeremy adds allegations that Naomi locks herself in her room crying for hours and has made threatening phone calls to Veronica from a blocked number.
Ezra presses for call records; Hardwick admits there are none, relying solely on Veronica’s word. Ezra counters by revealing Veronica Chesson’s heroin possession arrest, catching Hardwick off guard and undermining Jeremy’s credibility. When Naomi accuses Veronica of poisoning her kombucha, the room freezes; Hardwick quickly asks to pause and regroup.
Outside, Ezra jokes he went too far but stands by the strategy of staying honest and avoiding Jeremy’s tactics. He cautions Naomi not to make unproven claims that could fuel the “unstable” narrative. Buoyed by Hardwick’s reaction, Naomi suspects Jeremy will be advised to drop Veronica to strengthen his custody case.
Who Appears
- Naomi RothMother fighting for custody; denies sabotage and threats; blurts poisoning suspicion; resolves to stay honest under Ezra’s guidance.
- Ezra FletcherNaomi’s attorney; challenges evidence, exposes Veronica’s heroin arrest, and cautions Naomi against unverified claims.
- Jeremy RothFather; escalates to seeking full custody, presents the stabbed toy photo, alleges harassment and neglect.
- Leonard HardwickJeremy’s lawyer; presses allegations until blindsided by Veronica’s arrest, then moves to pause mediation.
- Alana OcasioMediator overseeing the session, prompts responses and maintains order before the pause.
- Veronica ChessonJeremy’s girlfriend; alleged target of threats; her past heroin arrest undermines Jeremy’s case.
- Theodore "Teddy" RothChild at the center of custody dispute; his stabbed toy is used as alleged evidence.