He moved one page, then another.
His attorney whispered something to him.
Dad’s jaw hardened.
“We handled the property,” he said.
“That was not my question,” Judge Simmons replied.
Dad looked at me.
The old accusation was in his face before he spoke.
“She walked away from us.”
The judge rested both hands on the bench.
“Mr. Carter, military deployment is not evidence that a property owner surrendered title.”
Dad’s face reddened.
Mom stared down at her handbag.
Judge Simmons then asked whether either of them had a signed agreement from me transferring ownership, granting them permanent control, or authorizing them to claim my expenses as their own.
They had none.
He asked whether they disputed the certified deed.
They did not.
He asked whether they disputed the tax receipts.
Dad said he needed time to review them.
The judge reminded him that he had filed the petition.
