Peter Lewis
His Story
by Tina McDuffie

Biological Parents: Bridget Reardon, Hart Jessop

Adopted Parents: originally Nadine and Billy Lewis, later Vanessa and Billy Lewis

In Joint Custody of: Bridget Reardon and Vanessa Chamberlain Lewis

Other relatives:

Roger Thorpe, grandfather

Bill Lewis, brother

Dylan Lewis, brother

Dinah Marler, sister

Blake Thorpe, aunt

Matt Reardon, uncle

Nola Reardon, great aunt

Conceived:

Born: in the back of a Limo? _____ 199_, delivered by David Grant

History:

At birth, Peter was passed off as Nadine’s child by Billy Lewis. This was a last-ditch effort on Nadine’s part to keep from losing Billy.

Vanessa discovered that Bridget was Peter’s mother and told Billy. Billy divorced Nadine and remarried Vanessa, thus Vanessa became Peter’s second adopted mother.

Thanksgiving 1993?, Bridget had to sign final papers allowing Billy and Vanessa to adopt Peter. She had many doubts. She really wanted to keep Peter, but didn’t have much in the way of support (only David Grant, Vanessa, and Billy knew Bridget was Peter’s biological mother, only Vanessa and Bridget knew Peter was Roger’s grandchild). After witnessing a nasty confrontation between the Lewises and Roger, Bridget signed over Peter to the Lewises.

____, 1994?, Billy Lewis overheard Bridget say that Roger was Peter’s grandfather. Billy, an alcoholic, shot Roger and started drinking again.

Bridget began to feel that she could provide as stable an environment for Peter as the Lewises, and sued for custody.

The custody battle which ensued pitted family members against each other and strained long-standing friendships. Bridget was represented by Ross Marler, Vanessa by Sid Dickerson. It became rather ugly. Finally, Bridget and Vanessa put a stop to it, and agreed to a joint custody.