Something that I've been wondering...

[skippylikes.livejournal.com]

Does anyone actually think Jeanne would come back for Cody? 

I've been reading all of the fics and it seems everyone is quick to go for the happily ever after appeal of Zach/Shaun and Cody, however they have to have that thought lingering for them. Zach has to be worried that after everything he's put into this family that one day it may all just disappear....that thing with Allen will end in the same way that all of Jeanne's other seemingly numerous relationships have. They have to be aware of the fact that Jeanne and her perpetual fear of being alone will one day come back to claim the undying unconditional love of her son when it feels that there's nobody else.

Those thoughts got me thinking about how Cody would respond...to me it's obvious that Cody would be hesitant to leave Zach, who for all intent and purpose has been his father for his entire life.That Cody would choose Zach over his mother, but at the same time, being well below the age of consent, while his opinion would be considered it would not be the final word.Would they go to court? Would Zach and Shaun be that willing to fight for their family? Or would they give in willingly, having known that this might happen? Especially in their situation. How many courts would award a child to a gay couple over his biological mother? 

I think that there's an amazing amount of story to be told here and one that is substantial enough to really allow for a sequel...one that would be political, powerful, evocative and should they get the same cast...incredibly well acted.

Comments

[at-midnight.livejournal.com]

i think you are right. if we see jeanne's track record, it IS possible that everything will fall apart with alan, and she is probably going home again to take cody. but who knows, maybe she will find another man in portland and stays there. so cody could be with zach/shaun.

i dunno how court works either in the u.s. system

[skippylikes.livejournal.com]

Yeah, she could definitely just jump from Alan to another guy. Gabe's comment about boyfriend of the week shows that she has done that in the past.

[inthekeyofd.livejournal.com]

If she stays with Alan, which I think she would, he is totally her "type" he's selfish as well, then she'd never come back for him, if things fall apart I think she'd play on her brother's feelings and try use them for her own means--meaning, she'd either want money or she'd try to drag him over the coals to get Cody back..either way, no one in their right mind would let her be a mother to him.

[skippylikes.livejournal.com]

Shelfish people don't really work well together as in the end they both end up wanting more from the other one and neither is willing to give it. I couldn't see her asking for money, for some reason, but I could see her trying to crash their family and put an excessive amount of stress on their relationship, utterly jeopardizing it in turn.

[shopinchickcas.livejournal.com]

I agree with you, that I think Jeanne MIGHT eventually come back for Cody, but at the end of the movie (on that scene on the front porch) she says to him (something like this... I dont have the movie with me, so I am just paraphrasing) "Even if this doesnt work out with Alan, he's better off with you".

I think that even if Zach didnt want to go thru all the legal stuff, or didnt think it was necessary, I think that Shaun would be smart enough (and skeptical enough) for the both of them to push to try to get Jeanne to sign her parental rights over to Cody.

Just my thoughts on it....
Cassie

[skippylikes.livejournal.com]

I know that Jeanne said that ,but she said that in a time that it benefited her to feel that way.Should the situation change...Jeanne has proven that what's best for her is more important than what is best for Cody. I'm not saying it would happen,but I imagine there's enough uncertainty on the situation to warrant a continuation on the story. Which is really what I'm trying to show here. I WANT MORE. :(

[pairatime.livejournal.com]

for a US court to give Zach custody, and it would be Zach not Zacha and Shaun and courts wouldn't even see Shaun as there, Zach would have to show that Jeanne was a very unfit caregiver because he's not a father and his age, his being gay would matter in some places but not in others.

[skippylikes.livejournal.com]

The courts would see Shaun as there, especially as he is the primary name on the lease and as such the primary caregiver to Cody...Cody is dependent upon him both emotionally and financially and as such his involvement would be taken into context.

[pairatime.livejournal.com]

that's part of the problem, the courts would want to see Zach being able to support Cody not Zach and Shaun. US courts tend to exnore non-married spouses when it come to supporting a child, my sister had problem because of that, and as Zach and Shaun aren't married, but they are in the right state it they want, the court is going to want to see Zach able to support Cody. In a fight I'm not sure Zach would win, he may be able to play the 'she abandoned Cody' card but...

[jess-d-10.livejournal.com]

I think you bring up a really important point here. It is very easy to villainnise Jeanne, and I think a lot of people go straight to the purely negative interpretation of her. But the film does humanize her and while she is by far not a likable character, one can at least understand why she is the way she is to a certain extent, and you can see (especially in that final scene before she leaves for Oregon) her guilt over not being a good mother. And as Cassie pointed out, she does say that even if things don't work out with Allen, Cody is better off with Zach. So at least at that point, she understands that. Now, whether or not she will actually continue to hold true to this understanding is another story. As you very perceptibly pointed out, Jeanne is very like to return to her son's unconditional love after a series of failed relationships. Although there is a side of her that sees what is actually best for her son, no matter how much it hurts her, there is also a very selfish side of her that may overshadow the first.

I think that unfortunately, there is a very real possibility that Jeanne would one day want her son back (although I don't believe that this is the ONLY possibility). And I think that if if it was to come to a matter of going to court, her case would be the stronger one (in the court's eyes), being the biological mother. It probably wouldn't help that Zach is gay, but I try to be optimistic and believe that hopefully, they wouldn't get a judge who was THAT bigoted.

It is certainly a complicated situation and therefore, hard to predict.

[skippylikes.livejournal.com]

I agree that it definitely isn't the only possible situation, I feel like the happily ever after is possible.Part of me wonders if Cody would even miss Jeanne...if her absence would even really be noted when Zach and Shaun are being such strong parents.

I think that the biological mother appeal is a huge one, and if she was able to show that she would be there for him and prove her stability it would be a big step in her regaining her (rightful) custody.

[seleneheart]

Being a former family law attorney (in Texas, though, not California), the mandate of the family courts is to do what is in the best interest of the child, not the parents. If it has been shown that Zach has been responsible for Cody his entire life, and that Shaun and Zach have had the sole caretaking responsibility for him over a long period of time, then the odds of them getting custody of Cody are extremely good.

In Texas, when a child is at least twelve, they can file an affidavit of choice of conservator. The court doesn't have to follow the child's wishes (still a child, after all), but it is something the courts can consider.

Children do best in stable homes with support and continuity. The courts do the best they can to ensure it.

[skippylikes.livejournal.com]

It's great to see a really well informed opinion on the actual law aspect of it. I too have faith in the courts and hope that they would do the right thing and award Cody to the most beneficial parent from all aspects. I just think that the story would be one worth telling and one that I would enjoy seeing. Especially if all of the characters reprise their roles. Even though I watch Shelter weekly, I miss Zach and Shaun :(

[boonesfarmgirl.livejournal.com]

As far as I know when a child goes to school they have to live with a parent or guardian, so Zach and Shaun would have to legally be his guardian to sign papers and to even be able to pick them up from school.

Do I think Jeanne will come back, no. Once Cody is out of sight he will be out of mind. She will never realize the amount of time that has gone by. Selfish people never do.

[jess-d-10.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to add that I agree, they should definitely make a sequel! There is plenty of story left to tell, and the custody of Cody would probably take up the bulk of that story. Maybe we should all start emailing Jonah Markowitz. :)

[spikedluv]

I don't think she would ever come back to take Cody, and if she did, it would only be for a little while because she wouldn't be able to cope with actually having to take care of him herself, having no one (Zach) to dump him on when she wanted to go out drinking with her friends without having to spare a thought for Cody.

Also (something I'm planning on working into a fic), Zach would need legal guardianship (at least temporarily) of Cody to be able to do things like enroll him in school, take him to the doctor, etc, and I'm guessing that Jeanne would sign off with few qualms, one more problem taken care of.

Cody's baby brother - Shelter 2

[ocean268.livejournal.com]

I think that Jeanne may return with an Alan Jr in her belly. She probably will camp out at Shaun and Zach's until the baby is born. Then the jerk Alan will reappear screaming that his son belongs to him and not to Jeanne, Zach and Shaun. This new movie will be called Shelter 2.

Re: Cody's baby brother - Shelter 2

[spikedluv]

You know, I can't see Alan wanting a child, especially given his attitude re: Cody, but I CAN see him not wanting HIS child to be raised by Zach and Shaun, which would just be so horrible, because he would take the child back, but he would never really love him or her, or care about him or her. Grrr, Alan.