Dr. David Gersten said solemnly, “is that parental consent laws can prevent serious emotional damage. And never more so, Professor Tierney, than in the case of Mary Ann.” Listening, Sarah felt depressed. She had survived Bruno Lasch only to crash over the lunch hour, the victim of an adrenaline surge which, once spent, left her flat and unfocused. And Gersten’s first few minutes of testimony suggested that he would be effective: a psychologist who had studied the response of adolescent girls to abortion, Gersten was neither affiliated with any pro-life groups nor morally opposed to abortion. And, unlike Lasch, he had met Mary Ann Tierney—for five hours of interviews, by order of the court. Martin Tierney seemed buoyed by Gersten’s presence; his voice was firm, his posture straight. “Could you explain the basis for your opinion, Dr. Gersten?” “Sure,” Gersten answered crisply. “I’ll start with you, Professor. We’ve spent several hours together. You and your wife are mature adults in your midforties, with well-developed moral views and the wealth of perspective and experience which can only be acquired—regrettably—by growing older.”
