A Negative Chapter Closed on a Positive Note

I returned to court today. Remember I told you about the missing pages that I had to submit on Tuesday? I got there about 8:45 this morning but unlike Tuesday the courtroom today was closed to the public. A note on the door said "Sealed Courtroom - Do Not Enter." So anyone who had a case today had to wait in the hallway and be called in case by case. I took a seat, got as comfortable as I could on the wooden bench and planned to wait a while.

Dozens of couples were there with their attorneys, each waiting their turn. Of course they'd all be called in before those of us without attorneys, but at least I didn't have to watch them go through their divorces like I did on Tuesday. I tried to go to a happy place in my mind so I wouldn't have to listen to the many conversations that were taking place around me. It worked for a while. Then two older men walked off the elevator.

Their conversation with others who were passing by made it clear that they were bail bondsmen. They'd been in the business for over 40 years and explained loudly that they were 76 and 77 years old. Nice that they're still on the job and able to hunt down the bond jumpers. They apparently knew most everybody who worked in the courthouse from police officers to office workers. They greeted almost everyone by name, including some of the people waiting to have their divorce cases heard.

Then a third bondsman showed up; I found out later he was an ex-cop. He sat to my right, the 77-year-old man sat to his right and the 76-year-old man sat to my left. There I was, sandwiched between these guys. I must say, though, that it was the best part of my morning. The man on my left and the man on my right had some joking banter going on between them, just talking right over me, and I was laughing out loud at their jokes. They even included me in a few. It was fun.

Then a kid was brought up in shackles. I say 'kid' because he was about 22, way younger than I am. He needed a place to sit next to his police escort so I moved to the bench across the hallway to make room for them where I'd been sitting. All the cases were moving in and out of the courtroom but I was just sitting there. Two hours passed and I hadn't heard anything from anyone. Meantime, another bondsman appeared along with two more officers. This shackled kid was there with three officers as his escort over from County and the four bondsman. Seriously? He was arrested for destruction of property. Why all the attention?

Anyway, I finally got to speak to the court clerk who went over my paperwork with me then sent me back to the hallway with the men who were all joking and laughing, including the prisoner. All we needed then was a TV and some hot wings and we'd have had a party going. The lady from inside the courtroom came out and called the kid in and told me I could sit in the courtroom and would be called after the kid was done. Really, all that time waiting and they couldn't just call me in and let me be done? Everyone else was long gone.

When the kid left the judge called my name. She swore me in and took my testimony as to why I wanted sole custody for me and supervised visitation for my ex. I told her why - all his drinking and drunk driving, his domestic violence history and recent arrest for it, his bullying of the children, the Children's Division hotline calls made against him, the kids' fear of him, all of it. She listened, read my notes, and signed the judgment in my favor. I now have sole physical and legal custody of my children and he has supervised visitation through an agency located over here.

I texted him the judgment when I got home and he just replied with an "Ok". I didn't really expect more. Now it's just wait-and-see to find out if he'll actually arrange something with the agency to be able to visit the kids. I'm not really counting on it given that he doesn't have a job so gas money for the hour-long drive will be a hardship on him.

My kids feel much better now. So do I. They feel safer knowing that their dad can't just show up out of the blue to see them, or have them for overnights. He can't drink and bully them and if he tries I have loads of legal leverage and recourse now that I didn't have yesterday. It was a long wait for this to come to pass and I don't like having to take this action against him but I had no choice. I had to do what I had to do for the safety and well being of my children.

It was a long few hours in the courthouse but the bondsmen/police party kept me entertained and I walked out of the courtroom happy. My kids and I can move forward now with some security and stability. I've been positive about most everything for the past week or so but today has me flying high. As I told a friend earlier, if I were any higher I'd have wings. The universe is definitely working with me lately and for that I'm extremely appreciative.

Until next time... peace to all.