Chapter 78: Guardianship

When they arrived at the high school, Tamara suddenly realized that giving her name and address to the school could expose her valued privacy. She told Marks to wait while they were parked outside the school, while she tried to contact Sam.

Maybe she’ll answer her cell during work hours if she’s alone, Tamara thought.

She did. “Hey Tamara, what’s up? No news here yet, but we filed the guardianship petition this morning. We should have an answer by this afternoon whether we’ll need to appear for a hearing.”

“Oh, that’s super. I have a tricky issue now, Sam. I’m at the high school and realized that if I give my name and address, that would expose my privacy. I assume there are laws about minors’ student records, but when there’s a chance of getting money, and little chance that a breach could be traced, I think that someone in the school office could leak my address.”

“You’re right, Tamara, it’s possible,” Sam agreed.

“Could I do this? Give Peter’s name as the contact and responsible party, our post office box for mail, and the address of my corporate office as the physical address?”

“Hmm, it’s not kosher. Besides, I assume that you’d need proof that she’s a Baltimore resident. You’ll also need a host of other documentation, come to think of it. When Mum first registered Andrew in high school, she had to hand in lots of docs. Listen, go in, find out what they need, and then call me back. Okay?”

“Sure. Thanks.”

Tamara brought Winnie into the building with her and they found the office. Tamara explained the situation to the secretary and she got them to see the principal.

“Hello, I’m Dr Borges. Mrs Hendricks tells me that you’re a prospective student transfer?”

Tamara answered, “We hope. I’m Tamara Alexandre and this is Awinita Nelsey. We have a very complicated situation. I’m a grad student at Hopkins and will probably become Winnie’s guardian.”

Tamara went on to describe how she had gotten Winnie out of her bad situation and Borges was horrified at the story.

“The guardianship petition was filed this morning. But Winnie escaped with no possessions at all. She tells me that her case worker in West Virginia found no personal documentation about Winnie ... is that right, dear?”

“It’s true, Tamara, Dr Borges. From what Papa told me, I was born at home with a tribal midwife. When I was about two years old, my parents died in an auto accident but I was safe in a car seat in the back. Papa—Grandpa—and Gramma raised me but when it came to starting school, there was no birth certificate. The midwife had never registered my birth. Papa had to get a late birth certificate and he had to guess at some details. I did know my birthday, though,” she chuckled.

“So my first school had the records they needed. But when Papa died and I went into the system, the social services people couldn’t find any personal papers about me or my parents,” she finished.

“I assume we can get a birth certificate copy from the state records,” Tamara told Borges. “And her school records from the schools she attended. But you heard what happened in the group home about her school. She was in four different schools in two years and kept out of school randomly during much of that time. In seventh grade, she had to move schools three times and missed most of that grade and was made to repeat it. Winnie, you told me you were doing well in school.”

“I was. Papa was so proud of me. The teachers said that I was their best student. In sixth grade, I got an award for being the top student in the grade.”

“Do you remember the schools you attended?” Borges asked.

“Yes’m. But for the ones in the last two years, I think my records are bad,” Winnie sniffled. “The witc ... ah, group home lady didn’t let the girls do homework. I had to do whatever I could while in school.”

Borges shook her head. “I see, Ms Alexandre, what you mean by a complicated situation. Our school is academically selective and we accept students based on a formula calculated from their seventh and eighth grade records. Clearly we’re unable to do that here. We’ve faced this problem in the past when international students transferred here, so we can arrange for a placement test for entry. Winnie, the test would be based on knowledge typically learned in seventh and eighth grades in math, English, U.S. history, and science. Do you recall enough from what you learned in those grades?”

“Oh, I do, ma’am. I read every book for my classes, cover to cover. Even though I couldn’t turn in my work a lot of the time and missed some tests too, I have a good memory.”

Borges smiled at her. “Okay then. We’ll get the exam set up for you. And Ms Alexandre, to enroll Winnie in the Baltimore schools, there are a few things we will need you to provide and the secretary can give you the list and an enrollment application.”

“Thank you, Dr Borges.”

“My curiosity is piqued now. Your name is familiar ... by any chance, are you the Alexandre who was awarded all those Nobel prizes?”

Winnie shot a knowing look at Tamara.

Tamara nodded reluctantly. “I am. But the press has made a huge uproar about it and I’m a private person. And with Winnie’s terrible experiences, I’d hate for her to get caught up in the turmoil.”

“Oh, I completely understand,” Borges said. “But let me express my congratulations.”

“Thanks. If we do enroll Winnie here, will my details and contact info be kept confidential? I don’t want to cast aspersions on your staff, but leaking my address and Winnie’s relation to me would be harmful.”

“I understand. We’ll work with you to protect your personal information, Ms Alexandre.”

They met Marks waiting for them in the school lobby. When they were walking back to the car, Winnie said, “I like her. I could feel that she was being truthful. She wants me to do well so that I can go to school here. And this place has good vibes too.”

Tamara stopped and stared at her. “You could feel that? You’re able to sense things like that?”

“Uh huh. It’s how I could tell about the people who came to the group home to look at the girls. They felt dirty, slimy. And the one who took me away was putrid. I had to get away from him.”

They got into the car and Tamara told her, “We have to discuss what you can do, ‘cause I can do that too. So can Peter, my folks, and some of Peter’s relatives. And I can teach you how to do more with your ability to protect yourself. Okay?”

Winnie looked at her, her eyes were wide with surprise. “Papa knew when someone was lying and taught that to me. You do that too?”

“I do. Oh, this is so exciting. You need to meet...”

Tamara’s phone rang; the caller ID showed it was Sam.

“Hi, Sam; we’re done at the school.”

“Good; listen, can you get to Baltimore Circuit Court? We’ve got an emergency hearing set up for 1:30 with a family court judge. The judge authorized it ‘cause of the kidnapping issue.”

“Sure. I can be there.”

“Good, I’ll confirm the hearing to the clerk. Now, one of our family attorneys, Stacey Circeo, will handle the hearing and she can meet you at noon at...”

Sam gave Tamara the attorney’s address at an office near the courthouse.

“They’ll have lunch brought in and she’s collected a number of docs related to Winnie’s case. How did it go at the school?”

“Good, the principal was compassionate and receptive to my keeping my info private.”

“Brilliant. Hey, send me the enrollment forms and other data the school wants and we’ll gather the info you’ll need. It would be much easier for us to get Winnie’s school records than you, won’t it. After the hearing, we’ll have you do a power of attorney so I can represent her.”

Tamara couldn’t believe how quickly Sam’s firm had gathered the information that Mrs Circeo, the family attorney, showed her when they met. She had an electronic copy of Winnie’s birth certificate, certificates of death for her parents and grandfather, the guardianship papers for her grandmother and grandfather, the recorded deed to her grandfather’s property, and the court orders for Winnie’s foster care. Somehow, she had also gotten a certified transcript of the recording that Tamara had made on her burner phone.

“How’d you ever get that?” Tamara asked.

“Our firm has a close working relationship with the AG’s office in Virginia. They’re really moving ahead with the kidnapping case, even though it began in a different state. Both the victim and the perp ended up in Virginia and that’s where the complaint was made and investigated by a Virginia state trooper, so they assert that they have claim for jurisdiction. The FBI is involved too especially since state lines were crossed.”

“What happens at the hearing?” Tamara asked.

“The judge will review the pertinent issues to determine whether an emergency guardian should be appointed. He or she considers the physical and emotional risk to the minor and the suitability of the proposed guardian to best provide for the care of the minor. The judge will most likely want to interview Winnie in private; there are special rules that cover how that is to be done and a social worker will be present, but you or I can’t be. Is that okay, Winnie?”

“The judge will ask if I want to stay with Tamara?”

“Basically. And probably have you tell what happened in your own words.”

“Good, that’s way more than the judge in West Virginia did; he just listened to the case worker. When I tried to say something, he threatened to send me out of the room. Five minutes later, he was done and signed the foster care order or whatever it was.”

“That, plus other things Winnie told me, made me think that there’s a child-trafficking racket operating there and that county officials are involved somehow,” Tamara said.

“Could very well be. Let’s see if they brought lunch up yet.”

Circeo spoke on her phone for a few seconds and then looked up. “Lunch is here. Let’s go to the conference room where they set it up. And we drew Judge Garralito, which is excellent. She really cares about the kids who have to be placed with guardians.”

The hearing was almost anticlimactic. Garralito had already reviewed the petition and the supporting documents. The petition had included Tamara’s biography, occupation, income, housing situation, and character references. Lacking was a report from the social services department but the judge waved that off. First, however, she did interview Winnie in camera. When they returned, she went to her seat and spoke to Circeo and then to Tamara.

“Mrs Circeo, I found Winnie’s story heartbreaking and I concur with your petition that this court should immediately appoint an emergency guardian for her. And you have provided an excellent choice.

“Ms Alexandre, suggesting that your accomplishments are remarkable is an understatement, and for someone so young, they are astounding. Congratulations on your Nobel prizes too; I’m sure you’re getting tired of hearing that. Recognition of your contributions from two world leaders is just a frill; you are the very model of a perfect selection to be a guardian. Winnie has convinced me that you rescued her from a dreadful situation and likely saved her life. Do you accept being appointed as the guardian for the minor child Awinita Nelsey, for a time period to be determined by this court but not less than one year?”

“Yes, Your Honor, I accept,” Tamara said, hugging Winnie who was smiling and crying at the same time.

“So ordered!” and the judge tapped her gavel. “Our clerk will provide you with the official signed order with the seal of this court if you can wait fifteen minutes for us to print it and get it recorded.”

“Thank you, Your Honor,” Circeo told her and the others echoed her.

Then Circeo led them out and brought them to a small office.

“This is the bull pen. My firm keeps this room here to meet with our clients,” Circeo told them. “Let me have you sign several powers of attorney now. The first one’s for Sam and me and it will allow us to act on your behalf for legal matters concerning Winnie, her West Virginia records, and any real property in her estate. It will allow us to search for and obtain an injunction freezing any financial records or liquid assets pending our discovery of a will, and allow us to act as an executor for the estate before and subsequent to probate. I’ll also prepare a power of attorney for you and Peter to obtain health care for Winnie and another for the school, naming you as her guardian.

“We’ll also look into the survivorship benefits of Winnie’s grandfather’s state pension and any U.S. Social Security benefits for which she might be entitled.”

“Excuse me, Mrs Circeo, my elementary school may have used my name ‘Nita’ in their records. Everyone called me by that name. In middle school too. ‘Winnie’ was Papa’s special name.”

“I’ll make a note of that; thank you,” Circeo replied. “Do you want us to continue using ‘Winnie’ then, when we don’t have to use your legal name?”

“This is my new life now that Tamara’s given me, so, yes, I’d like to use ‘Winnie.’”

Although Tamara was familiar with legal proceedings, those were limited to patents and to corporate structuring and operating procedures. This was a whole new area and her mind was reeling.

“Jeez. So much to do. I wouldn’t have thought of some of those things.”

Circeo laughed, “That’s what lawyers get paid to do. We need to think about every possible way to protect the client. Now, a few final items. Winnie, do you know your Social Security number? I assume you have one; your grandfather would have needed it for his tax returns.”

“Sorry, ma’am, I don’t.”

“No problem; we can get it when we research your grandfather’s own Social Security records. And finally, Tamara, do you want to get Winnie a passport?”

“Oh, for sure. Peter and I travel overseas occasionally. In fact, the State Department just reissued my diplomatic passport and my regular one. They were getting close to expiration.”

“You have a diplomatic passport?” Winnie asked. “Tamara, I keep saying it. You’re important.”

Circeo grinned. “I think she is, too, Winnie. We’ll get the documentation together for applying for a passport as well.”

Guardianship papers and powers of attorney in hand, Tamara left the courthouse with Winnie after thanking Circeo for her help. Marks was waiting out in front of the building and escorted them to her vehicle.

“From your smiles, I gather everything went well,” she remarked as they slid into the back seat.

“It did and all’s well,” Tamara told her. “I’ve got a grocery shopping list as long as my arm and now that Winnie’s living with us, it’s gotten longer, Janice. I think it should be safe going to a supermarket. My picture isn’t out there yet so people wouldn’t recognize me, I’m guessing.”

“I agree. If you don’t have a favorite market, let me pick one that should be safe. A generic market okay?”

“Sure. Just getting staples.”

“Sounds good. Let’s go,” Marks said.

“Winnie, we need to get you a physical and the school needs one, too, I noticed on the enrollment forms. When was your last one?”

“Um, let’s see. When I was in the first foster home—they called it an interim one—I had a doctor’s office visit. Just a nurse saw me though.”

“So that’s about three years ago,” Tamara thought aloud and Winnie nodded. “When you were living with your grandfather, did you get regular checkups?”

“I guess, but I’m not sure ... ah ... oh, I must have, ‘cause my elementary school wanted it.”

“Remember the doctor you saw? We need to get your immunization records too.”

“It was a group practice so I saw doctors and nurses, never the same.”

Tamara sighed. “Okay, I bet we can get your school records and get the health records with them. I bet you were seeing a pediatric practice. You’re a teen now, and you have a choice of the kind of doctor you want to see.”

“Who do you see, Tamara?”

“I see a primary-care physician who specializes in women’s health for my own physicals. She does the same level of a pelvic exam that a gynecologist would do.”

“Then that’s what I want too.”

“Sure. I’ll make an appointment.”

On the way home after shopping, Tamara called Emma.

“All set with Winnie; I’m her guardian now,” she told Emma. “Is the media siege still happening?”

“It is, the blighters. Campus security isn’t letting them camp out around the building anymore and stopped them from bothering people. They were asking everyone who came to our building for your contact info. So there’s a bunch now that have been watching the paths around our building. Security warned them that if they continued stopping people, they’d get arrested for stalking. This isn’t a public university and the cops can eject anyone. Those bounders were yelling ‘free speech’ and ‘free association’ but those are rights that the government can’t limit, but private organizations mostly can if it’s causing a disturbance. Or so I interpret what I’ve heard.”

“Guess I need to stay away for now. What about the media show tomorrow? I’m sure that I’ll get stopped if I tried walking into Shriver.”