2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Gonzo gets custody of his son after child services inspected Lori’s home. Given that the place was a pigsty, she was consorting with criminals, hadn’t given the baby a name and Gonzo was listed as the father on the birth certificate, was this inevitable? Did he receive preferential treatment by the judge, other than a speedy process? Why did Lori even contact him?

I think it was inevitable and I'm glad Gonzo was a viable alternative. With such a horrible CPS report the judge didn't need to show him preferential treatment. Lori was a terrible person. She contacted him because she thought he would pay her off. She never imaged he would want the child.

I think that Anita nailed it.

Lori wanted money. Gonzo wanted the child after he met him. She never thought that was a possibility.

I don't think he received preferential treatment. If the home is that bad and the child may be in danger, they'll remove the child to either the home of a relative or into foster care. Gonzo was on the birth certificate, so he is a relative. Now he has to win actual custody of the child.

The clincher for me (and the judge it would seem) was that she couldn't even care enough about her child to give him a name. What kind of woman doesn't even name her son?!

I don't have anything too add.

How could she care so little about that baby to not give him a name? I'm glad the judge gave him to Gonzo. I'm sure she will be back though. Selfish people never give up.

Sharon wrote: "I'm sure she will be back though. Selfish people never give up"

I agree Sharon. We haven't seen the last of her or Nick's mother. They are cut from the same cloth.

The not giving him a name really bothers me. It is almost like she planned to sell him and he was nothing to her.

Anita, you nailed it in one.

That baby meant nothing to Lori or, as you all stated, she would have given him a name.

The only preferential treatment Gonzo got was the judge expediting the hearing. Other than that, it was by the proverbial book.