Fisher laughed as if Asher had said something foolish. “Because this has the potential to be a high-publicity case, to tell you the truth. The way those views are going up on that video. The fact that this happened so close to the Supreme Court decision on marriage equality. I mean, it’s perfect timing.” Fisher put another orange slice into her mouth. “But also, not all of us here disagree with what you said in that video.”

Fisher spent some time studying the order in detail. “I’m sorry to say that there’s more.” Lydia’s lawyer was insisting on supervised visits. “She says the video proves you’re not in your right mind and prone to ‘outbursts of temper.’ ”

“But she knows I’m a good father,” Asher said. “She knows I’m not crazy.”

“Maybe she’s just being vindictive. People lose their minds during divorces. I see it happen all the time. Men and women. It happened to me and my ex in our divorce. Now we’re good friends.” Fisher pushed the papers away from her and put her arms behind her head, leaning back in her chair. “And maybe it’s just a smart move on her lawyer’s part. It establishes there’s a problem so they can deny you joint custody later.”

“Her mother will testify for me. Zelda Crosby. We’ve always been real close. She’s as close to me as she is to Lydia, her own daughter.”

“But Lydia is her daughter, Mr. Sharp. And that’s what it’ll come down to, in the end. I would bet you cash money on that.”

Asher’s visits with Justin took place in the basement of the Choctaw courthouse on Saturdays. The supervisor was a woman who sat in the corner playing games on her cell phone while he and Justin talked or played rummy. The supervisor always wore a gray pantsuit and pulled her hair back in a tight ponytail that made her look like her head was being yanked back.

“How are you, buddy?” Asher asked Justin. “How are things going?”

“Just going to school,” Justin said, kicking his heels against the chair legs. “Mom’s going to church all the time and makes me go most of the time. The other night this big group of women came and prayed over me until Granny made them quit.”

“She did?”

Justin nodded. “They were speaking in tongues and she told them they were scaring me and took me outside. We sat on the porch until church was over. Mom stayed in there forever. Every time we go she stays after and everybody prays for her like she’s dying.”

“It’ll get better soon,” Asher said.

“I want you to come home,” Justin said, tiny globes of tears teetering on his eyelashes.