“It is not a frivolous claim…” Michelle says.

“Are you jealous of my client’s relationship with Ms. Kennard Ms. Adams? Isn’t that the real reason we’re here today?”

“No, my only concern is for my son….” Michelle says.

With a graceful gesture, Joyce summons an associate to her side. “Your Honor, with the court’s permission, we’d like to introduce Exhibit C.”

The lights dim slightly as a screen activates, and Michelle drops her head when video of her confrontation with Bette and Tina flashes on the monitor. She closes her eyes as she listens to herself on the video angrily demanding that Bette keep Mickey away from Tina.

After a few tension-laced minutes, Joyce’s fingers press the remote. The image freezes on Michelle’s glare; anger, frustration, unfiltered.

Joyce’s voice cuts through the hush. “On second thought, you may be right. You didn’t appear angry or jealous at all in that moment, Ms. Adams…as you called Ms. Kennard a bitch and whore at least a half dozen times. I don’t see any reason to believe you disapprove of her relationship with the woman whose name you so steadfastly refuse to drop.” She says sarcastically.

“Objection,” Kelly interjects, her tone deflated, voice echoing in the sudden quiet.

“Overruled,” the judge announces, raising a gavel with a firm rap.

Joyce turns, offering the bench a languid smile. “Your Honor, please indulge me in just one more short video before I rest?”

The judge arches a sculpted brow but, with a graceful flick of her wrist, murmurs, “Carry on.”

Joyce continues. “Exhibit D,” she announces, and presses play.

Instantly, the screen bursts to life with warm incandescent light and the rich hum of laughter from the gang gathered around a table at The Planet.

“Objection…” Kelly’s voice rings out, tense and sharp.

Joyce freezes the video. The laughter is suspended mid-chuckle, the friends immortalized in a single frame.

Kelly leans forward, finger jabbing at the monitor. “Your Honor, how do we know this wasn’t staged for the courtroom?”

The judge’s robes whisper as she shifts in her seat.

Joyce rolls her eyes, lips curving into a patient smile. “Your Honor, as the timestamp shows, this footage was captured weeks before Ms. Adams-Porter filed her frivolous suit. It was recorded by Ms. Porter’s sister, who often documents their weekly family dinners. Ms. Adams-Porter accuses my client’s partner of being the type of person who would callously emotionally abandon this child—this video will demonstrate otherwise.”