Looking Forward

Update from the weekend

I’m glad the weekend is over. Seriously. 

D had diving, it went well. 

We looked at a new place to rent. It was AMAZING! Space upon space….in our price range. Heat is included. Only one problem. No dogs. My parents are SO happy to take Summer for us. They are home all day. They have a dog already. It would be a transition for her, but she really loves my mom, and she’d be petted and loved. All. Day. Long. 

A was with his dad (I’ll get to that later) so he didn’t see the place with us. He was not happy to hear that we wouldn’t be able to take Summer. You can’t please everyone I guess. We submitted an application. If we get this place, ooooh the X drama that will come – everyone will need to hang on tight! 

Melanie really came through with a shiny new resume for me that makes me sound totally qualified and important and professional for pretty much any job ever. I submitted it yesterday to the open job at my husbands company. We’ll see what comes of it. 

I didn’t find A’s birth certificate anywhere at home. I went to city hall and got a copy on Monday. I really need a fire lock box to keep this shit in. 

Also on Monday we had to go to the parent portion of the Drivers Ed class for A. Talk about terrifying!

Our federal tax refund was APPROVED and magically showed up in my bank account today. I cannot believe this. I am so relieved. We now have just enough to pay for drivers ed and our State taxes. 

So, as I said, A went with his dad this last weekend. X emailed me on Thursday last week
“Picking up A Friday back on Sunday”

Now, normally, I’ll try to be lenient with the not requiring 7 days notice as long as I know when and where things will be happening. A wants to go – I’m trying to be reasonable. So, I responded saying I need to know when and where this pick up and drop off would be happening. I received no response. 

Friday came, and I texted A asking where he was after school, and to see if he needed a ride home. He said dad had picked him up at school. (I figured this was what was going to happen…but I sort of wanted to hear it from X. Crazy, I know.)

I emailed X again Friday night asking when and where he would be dropping A off on Sunday. Again, no response. 

Saturday night I emailed again, wanting to know when and where he would be dropping A off on Sunday. Nothing. 

Sunday I texted A. I didn’t want to because he’s not the one to make arrangements, but I was trying to plan my day, and clearly X wasn’t going to be giving me any information. Am I driving to a bus station? Am I driving to the end of the road? Am I driving to Waterville? 

A said he didn’t know when or how he was getting home. Could I come get him? Maybe he could ride the bus. Also, can I take him to the Dr.? His throat really hurts and his nose won’t stop running.

Seriously? Deep breath…

Yes. I can take you to the Dr. Yes, I can come get you, but I’d prefer you take the bus (its 1.5 hours down to Waterville) There is a bus leaving Augusta at 1:10. I’ll leave it up to you. 

A says “Dad says he’ll bring me back to Brewer later.”

Of course I want to know later when? And wouldn’t you know it…A doesn’t know. Of course he doesn’t. ITS NOT HIS JOB TO KNOW!! 

Another deep breath….

Do you want me to just come get you? 

A’s response “Nah. dad will bring me back. We’re watching a movie, so after that.” 

I point out that the walk in clinic closes at 7pm so A needs to be in Bangor by 6pm at the latest. At 4:15 A texts me and says they’re leaving Waterville, and where should we meet? 

Duh. The walk in clinic? 

How about the Burger King across the street? 

Fine.

I get a text at 5pm saying they are passing Newport. (About 20 minutes from Bangor). I leave the house and head to Bangor myself. 

I am 1/4 mile from the Burger King when A texts me again “Dad says its going to be the high school and you’d better not be there when we get there.” 

WHAT?! Deep breath…I pulled into a gas station and as I’m trying to formulate a response A calls me.

When can you be here to get me? 

Well, I’m on Union St…So give me about 15 minutes to get all the way over there. Are you wearing a coat or a sweatshirt? (its 4 degrees out)

No.

Can you go into the school?

No.

Do you want to walk to the grocery store and wait inside?

No. I’m ok. Just hurry up. 

So I rush over to the high school and collect my shivering, sick kid. I am so angry. SO. FUCKING. ANGRY. I decide we’ll do the Dr. in the morning. We’ll go to the grocery store and get some medicine. The dr on Monday said its just a cold and not strep. Phew! 

So, we have court tomorrow for a case management hearing. I see from FB that X will be there. (He’s trying to plan for an evening of drinking afterwards with anyone he can get together). 

I’m nervous. I don’t want to see him. I don’t want to be anywhere near him. I don’t want to hear him speak. I just want this to be over with. I know case management hearings are normally to discuss the issues, to make sure that no resolution has been reached, and mediation will be scheduled. 

I suspect that X will try to talk about how this is wrong. How I’m using the court to screw him. How he’s always getting the short end of the stick. How I’m keeping him from his kids. I’m overwhelmed by his crazy and its not even happened yet. I feel totally unprepared…because I have NO idea how to even prepare for something like this.