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Skippy47
153 Stories
1,900 Followers
Author's note: This story changed immensely from the original version I sent to my editor, therefore, I will not list him to have my mistakes assumed to be his. It changed from a flash story to a longer one where I plan to add one more chapter. I hope you like it. This should be my 100th story published on Literotica.
JAMES
"I'm pregnant."
Those two words have provoked two totally different reactions in men over history. In my case, the 'Joy' that can be felt at the prospect of fatherhood was NOT my reaction. Since I had had a vasectomy after the twins were born 20 years ago, the onerous implications of how my wife got pregnant flooded my mind. I guessed that she was prepared to leave when I heard the words and saw her suitcases by the couch. I stood stunned and said nothing.
"I didn't mean to hurt . . . "
"Be quiet! I need to process what you said."
"I'm sorry, Jim . . . it just . . . "
"SHUT UP! I don't want to hear it."
"But Jim we've had over twenty years . . . "
This time I went over to where she was sitting and got two inches from her face. "I have never hit you before, but I swear to God I will smack your face if you say one more word." She nodded she understood as the tears streamed down her face.
I finally decided. "GET OUT SLUT! Get out before I do something foolish."
Leslie looked incredibly sad as she got up and tried rolling her suitcase to the door. She was struggling to move the heavy load. She looked at me with a 'Help me' expression on her face. I got up, opened the door, and threw her suitcases out the door. Leslie walked to the door and I grabbed her arm. Suddenly, she seemed hopeful. I pulled her closer and snatched her purse. I reached in and got her keys. I took her copy of the house keys and threw the rest of the keys at her car. I pushed her out the door and slammed it shut. Then and only then did I start crying. I cried and cursed for quite a while. Having your heart torn out can do that to you.
As soon as I calmed down, I called the girls. They were roommates at college, so I got to speak to them both at the same time. Just as well as I never could tell the difference in their voices and they often finished each other's sentences. Holly answered and identified herself. She immediately asked me to call later because she and Barbara were getting ready to go out on an important dinner date. I told her I would be quick so as not to interfere with their busy social schedule. My anger at their mother was leaking over. "Your mother has gotten pregnant by another man. I'm divorcing her. She no longer lives here. Have a good evening." I hung up and turned off my cell phone.
The only question in my mind on what to do at that moment was where I wanted to get drunk. I could do it at home so I didn't make a fool of myself in public, or I could try and find someone to talk to and receive some poor schmuck's pity. I drove to the liquor store. It was Friday night, and the drive-thru window had a long line. Check cashing was causing most of the delay. As I waited impatiently, I saw 'Old Charlie' using the side of the building to prop himself up.
Old Charlie was a town icon. When he was sober, he would walk the streets with his push mower and gas can. He would go to enough homes and businesses offering to mow their lawns and earn money for booze. It would take him several days to use up his liquor money and then he would be walking and mowing again. Today, it looked like Charlie had barely made it out the door of the liquor store before he sat down next to his mower and started drinking. After taking a big gulp of cheap rotgut whiskey, he sighed in satisfaction. Recognizing me, he smiled and waved. I smiled and waved back. That's when it hit me. That could be my future even if I resorted to using expensive bourbon instead of cheap whiskey to deal with my problem. I went home, without anything to drink except coffee.
I went home and started writing to get my feelings out, hoping that would be therapeutic. I worked on my speech that I would say to Leslie if I ever talked to her again. I worked on an apology to my daughters. I worked on a story to tell my boss and any non-family members. I worked on what to ask for in the divorce. I had already decided on who to call and talk to first -- Leslie's mother.
Why Leslie's mother? Sarah Crandall was like a second mother to me, especially after my mother died of breast cancer a few years ago.
"Hello."
"Hey, Sarah, this is Jim."
"Jim, I just heard. I am so sorry. I can't believe she could do this to you and the twins. Are you sure she's pregnant?
"She's the one who told me and it's not April first."
"Dear Lord. How are you doing?"
"Not so well, thanks. So, Leslie hasn't called you?"
"No. I assume she hasn't had the courage to call. The twins phoned me and asked what I knew. I told them she hadn't called me. I tried calling my daughter, but evidently, she's not taking my calls. The girls said that after she told you that she was pregnant with another man's child you kicked her out. Is that correct, son?"
"She was ready to leave well before she announced her pregnancy to me. I just ushered her out the door a little faster than she had probably planned. I don't guess I was very polite. I'm a little ignorant of the mannerly way to treat cheating wives."
"Well, I'll certainly give her my two cents worth when I have the chance. Right now, I'm worried about you and the girls. Are you going to be alright? Now, just because my daughter cheated on you, don't let the girls be collateral damage in your reaction to being hurt. They still love you and need you."
"Thanks. I imagine we are all in for a rough time ahead."
"What do you plan to do?"
"I intend to show her Genghis Khan style mercy."
* * * * *
I was on the phone bright and early Monday morning. I called the lawyer we had used in a civil suit years ago. I told him I wanted the nastiest divorce lawyer around. He immediately recommended Kinsey Wimsett. She usually was known for neutering cheating husbands, but she enjoyed spaying cheating women as well. I called her up. Her secretary told me that I had to send over $1000 for her to even talk to me. My first reaction was 'Shit! That's too expensive.' Then I thought, that's what I should expect from the kind of lawyer I wanted. I agreed if I could come in today. I was scheduled for 1:00 pm.
At 1:15 I was ushered into Ms. Wimsett's office. She stood up to shake my hand. "Mr. DeLong, a pleasure although I imagine the situation you're in is quite the opposite."
"James, please." Ms. Wimsett did not offer me the use of her first name. So noted.
Ms. Wimsett looked like she had just come down the runway at a fashion show. As soon as she spoke, however, I knew she was all business. Still, it was hard to concentrate at first. I told her my story with as little anger as I could. We agreed on drawing up two petitions depending on Leslie's response to the first one. I also had her prepare an 'Interference with Marriage' lawsuit against Leslie's lover as soon as I had his name and contact information. She was to be served in her office the next morning. I was about to be $5000 poorer, but I already felt emotionally richer. I considered it a good investment.
The scene was videotaped for me. Two professionally dressed women (less likely to be thrown out) marched into the middle of the corridor at Leslie's place of business and announced loudly. "We're looking to serve a divorce petition to Leslie Delong for Adultery resulting in her pregnancy by a man not her husband. If anyone here can give us details on the identity of the man in question, we will pay a $100 reward." Leslie came running out of her office just as one of the two servers was receiving a note from one of the office members.
"What the hell is going on?"
"Are you Leslie Delong, wife of James Delong?"
"Yes."
"Well, you probably won't be a Delong very much longer. You've been served for divorce because of adultery. We will be sending an Interfering with Marriage lawsuit notice to your boyfriend soon.'" They walked away between a gauntlet of people staring at the spectacle they had witnessed.
* * * * *
LESLIE
Leslie went over to the secretary who had given the server a note. "What did you give that woman?"
"I gave her the name and office number for Cameron, your lover."
"And just what makes you think Cameron and I are lovers?"
"You mean besides his bragging to other men about knocking you up?"
"You're lying. He wouldn't do anything like that."
"I would think you might want to know the father of your baby better than that. He did say it. Ask the people at Hogan's Bar and Grille."
I went back to my office to cry first. Then I called Cameron. I chose to ignore the comment about Cameron bragging. I had placed too much faith in him for my future. "Cameron, I just got served divorce papers from James." I started crying again.
"Calm down, baby. We knew that would happen. It's no big deal. In fact, we can start planning our wedding for as soon as you're divorced from that loser. What are his conditions for settlement? Do you think James is going to be a hard ass about negotiating the divorce?"
"I don't know. I haven't looked at the petition. The people who served me said he was suing you for Interference with a Marriage. Isn't that what they used to call Alienation of Affection?"
"Don't worry your pretty little head about it. He'll probably drop that if you threaten to accuse him of severe mental and physical abuse. You can always do that if he gets serious about suing me. Now, tell me what the petition says."
"It seems very simple. We would split the checking and savings. I would not receive alimony or household support. We both would continue to support the girls through college. He will buy my half of the equity of the house unless I want to buy out his half or we can sell it."
"That's Bullshit. You can get a lot more than that. We need to call the lawyer I told you about."
"Wait, he attached a note. It says, 'Leslie, sign these papers quickly or I will revise my petition to something you really won't like.' Cameron, I think we've made him extra mad. Maybe I should sign it now. We don't need the money plus fighting it would delay our being able to get married. It's important to me for us to be married before the baby is born."
"I don't give a shit if he gets mad or not. We need to get you your fair share not the crumbs he is offering."
I decided to try and call Jim and smooth his ruffled feathers if possible. After several calls and several messages had been left about wanting to explain what had happened. I tried once more. Since he had not responded before, I was surprised when this time he answered.
"Well, well, how's the expectant Momma today?"
"Fine, thank you. I'm glad to see you have more polite manners today."
"Hey, I'm about to dump a cheating bitch. What could possibly make my life any better?"
"I'll ignore that insult. I received your petition this morning in front of everyone on the floor."
"Oh good, I hope the video came out well."
"You had it videotaped?"
"Sure, I'm starting a new collection of memories of you since I have been getting rid of all the old ones."
"What do you mean getting rid of 'memories of me?' You can't mean you've forgotten about our marriage and life together already."
"Oh, I remember our shame marriage and your recent surprise party for me quite well. What I am referring to is those things called pictures. Like the wedding album and the albums of photos with you in some of the pictures we took on our honeymoon and then there are those of us taken on special occasions with our children?"
"Surely, you didn't throw them away, did you?"
"Heavens no. I wouldn't dare throw them away. It wouldn't be ecologically sound. They went up in smoke. Best fire I've ever had in the fire pit. The only problem was the smoke from the photos kind of made the Smores taste bad. I don't see what the problem is. I can use the ashes for fertilizer since you turned my life to shit. You didn't care about our marriage so why do those pictures matter? Anyway, it's not my fault. Since you didn't take the albums with you, I assumed you didn't want them."
"You bastard! What about all my other stuff like my clothes?"
"They earned me a very nice charity tax deduction from Goodwill. I considered that a parting gift from you."
"James, I will not play your childish games. I just called to let you know that we are not going to accept your proposal. I deserve a lot more for putting up with you all those years."
"No, you don't. I don't think you want to get what you truly deserve. You showed me that our marriage was a farce from the beginning. All our talks about the future we were going to spend together meant nothing to you once the children were gone. Evidently, all you cared about was what you wanted for yourself. I do wonder though, was Cameron the only choice for father? Nevertheless, did you get my note with the petition?"
"Yes. I got your threat."
"Oh, it wasn't a threat. It was a promise. Tell you what: You and Cameron can tear up that petition you got because after this call I will have a new one sent to you tomorrow. I think you will enjoy it even more than the first one. Bye."
* * * * *
THE TWINS
"Girls, I wanted to apologize for being so short with you the other day, but you can guess why I wasn't in a good mood."
"You had no reason to be mad at us, Dad. You SHOULD apologize. We didn't cheat on you, Mom did. We found it hard to believe she would do something like that, so we called her. She explained to us why she had done what she did and accidently getting pregnant. We told her we understood, but she still wasn't being fair to you. We told her how upset we were with her and Cameron. How are you doing?"
"Well, I'm having trouble being as nonchalant about it as you two seem to be. I thought you two might be more furious at her. The woman who taught you your morals of how to treat the people you love, just got pregnant by a lover, and destroyed our family in the process? I don't know now. It sounds like I am the only one destroyed."
"Look, Dad. It is what it is. We can't make her un-pregnant. And she is our Mom and will be forever. Unlike you, we're going to have to get along with Cameron and our new half-sibling after he or she is born."
"You're right. I tell you what. I'm going to make it easier on the both of you in your desire to mollify two divorced parents in the future. Don't worry about inviting me to any gatherings with you two whether your mother will be there or not. You two are legally competent adults. Since you obviously don't need me anymore and don't seem to particularly WANT me anymore, I'll just say Good-bye!"
"Dad, don't be that way . . . Dad? . . . He hung up!"
* * * * *
LESLIE
The new divorce petition was served to her with less fanfare the next day. Leslie sobbed as she read the new provisions:
Leslie was to get nothing other than what she left the house with and whatever money was in her personal account at the bank. Her car was in her name and paid for, so she could have that.
Leslie had to buy out his half of the equity of the house or he would sell the house and give her half of what he would get. He informed her that he planned to sell it for just enough to cover the remaining loan and closing costs.
Leslie had to give him half of their joint assets and half of the remaining college funds set aside for the twins. He was withdrawing his financial support for them.
Leslie had to pay him half of the costs of raising the girls for 18 years unless she could get DNA reports that show he is their real father.
Leslie had to pay $1000 for every time she fucked her lover while she was still married to James. The payment ceiling would be $1,000,000. The number of times could be rounded off to the nearest 100 fucks.
There was the following note from Jim: "Unless you don't want to marry your baby's father until well after your bundle of joy hits the hospital bed sheets, you need to go back to my initial petition and sign it as soon as possible. Call my lawyer for a new copy in case you actually tore it up."
Before she had the chance, Cameron called her. "I just got served an hour ago. The damn servers announced the suit to all my office just like they did yours. My boss called me in and put me on probation. If you and I had worked together her, I probably would have been fired. I called my lawyer and sent him the suit. He estimated that his costs for defending me could easily equal or exceed what James is asking for depending how long James wanted to delay a settlement. He's being a son-of-a-bitch."
"Cameron, how did you expect he would react? I did cheat on him. He did nothing to deserve what I did to him. I'm going to sign the original petition. We don't need all this grief to starting a new life together. We need to be rid of my old marriage so you and I can get married for the sake of our child and our new family."
She sent the signed petition to James's lawyer with the note about hoping James would drop the lawsuit against Cameron. The lawyer said she would ask her client to consider it, but she was prepared to pursue the matter if he wanted.
* * * * *
THE WEDDING
With both parties agreeing to a settlement, the divorce went on the fast track. Leslie and Cameron's wedding was hastily arranged as soon as the divorce was final. James did not get an invitation, but he found out about it from his daughters. "Dad, we're going to be in town for Mom's wedding this Saturday. Can we come by and see you? We don't want you to stay mad at us."
"Sure, give me the details on when you'll be here, and I'll plan something."
Jim did plan something alright.
The wedding went off without a hitch. Leslie looked good even with a considerable baby bulge. They went from the church to the reception hall. Once there, a commotion ensued. Jim walked in with an older woman with a huge set of tits, a big ass and her hair dyed purple. Her dress came up well above her knees and not much else about her body was covered. She looked like the hooker she was. Jim was smiling ear to ear as he escorted the woman over to where Leslie and Cameron were standing.
"James, I can't believe you would stoop this low just to embarrass me and our daughters like this."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. Pardon my manners, Leslie, this is my date for the day and as much of the night as I can last, . . . what is your name anyway, honey?"
"Tiffany, baby or anything you want it to be. Is this the ugly bitch who cuckolded you?"
"One and the same."
"Boy, you ought to thank her for leaving you. She ain't got enough tits to breastfeed a mouse."
Leslie was fuming, "James how could you bring someone like her to my wedding. She looks like you picked her up right off the street."
"That's where you're wrong. I'll have you know that Tiffany was clearly on the sidewalk with her friends when I found her."
"Auuugggghhh. You've had your fun, now get out of here."
"Just a minute, I have one important question to ask you." Leslie stood ready for whatever insult she was sure was to follow. "Can you tell me the difference between a waxing moon and a waning moon?" The room went deadly quiet. Everyone was paying attention.
"What kind of question is that? Are you drunk or just out of your mind?"
"It's an astrophysical question. It's obvious that you don't know the answer. Here, let me give you a visual aide." Jim turned his back to the bride and groom, bent over, and dropped his pants. "Now tell me, is my moon waxing or waning?" The people in the crowd groaned in disgust and some even left.
PUBLIC BETA
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Skippy47
153 Stories
1,901 Followers
Cameron could not be restrained. He began to pummel James while Tiffany took a video. It did not show the mooning. It just showed that James did not throw the first punch, nor did he resist Cameron's attack. The ambulance and the police came. Leslie and Cameron's honeymoon was forced to be postponed as James pressed charges against Cameron for aggravated assault. The police told him that he was not allowed to leave the country before the trial. Most of the deposits for the room and the plane tickets were non-refundable. The hospital staff came close to putting James in the psych ward. They thought he might be crazy as he could not keep from laughing despite it hurting whenever he laughed.
His daughters visited James in the hospital. They tried to be mad at him but couldn't keep from laughing too. "So, this is what you planned for the three of us to do together while we were here?"
"Pretty much."
"Okay, but please promise us you won't moon us when we get married."
"Sorry, I'm not making any promises."
* * * * *
THE BIRTH
Leslie was 41 years old when she got pregnant. She had problems with the twins' birth besides the usual early delivery and relatively low birth weight typical of having twins. Her delivery difficulties were part of the reason she had asked James to get a vasectomy. With this birth, she had even more trouble despite being in good shape physically for her age. She was put on extreme bed rest for the last couple of months of her pregnancy. But it was not just physical matters where there was trouble.
Leslie found out soon after she and Cameron were married that she was carrying a Down Syndrome baby. Cameron was furious and seemed to want to find someone to blame to prevent others from blaming him. He couldn't just accept that Leslie's age and the genetic wheel of fortune had decreed it. He and Leslie argued over her getting an abortion. She refused. Cameron filed for divorce and left soon after for a job in another city. The ink was barely dry on her divorce from James and here she was starting another one.
Although Leslie spent most of the last few months by herself, the twins and Leslie's mother were at the hospital for the delivery. That night, James got an urgent phone call from Holly.
"Dad, come to the hospital, quick!"
"Calm down, Holly. Why do I need to come to the hospital?"
"It's Mom. She had an allergic reaction to her saddle block injection, which caused her to have a stroke. They have taken the baby by C Section and some other doctors are trying to save Mom. We're going crazy and don't know what to do. Please come. Grandma Sarah and Barbara and I need you."
A few minutes ago, you couldn't have paid James to go. Now you couldn't stop him from going.
* * * * *
SIX MONTHS LATER
LESLIE
"Doctor, I think she's coming out of the coma." The female doctor come in.
"Leslie, can you hear me? Squeeze my hand if you can. . . Good. Can you blink your eyes? . . . Good. Don't try to talk right now. Your throat will be too dry. Let's get you some ice chips."
It took me a few minutes to get oriented. When I did, I reached down to my stomach. It was no longer large. I screeched out "My baby. Where is my baby?"
The nurse said, "Your baby is fine. A lot has happened while you've been in a coma. We've called your mother and she is on her way. She can explain more that we can. Please don't try to talk. You might hurt yourself."
I was not about to be stopped. In a gravelly voice I demanded, "I want to see my baby!"
"He's not here right now. You'll have to wait until your mother gets here. She'll explain."
"I don't understand. Why isn't my baby with me?"
"You rest your voice and I'll describe what happened to you medically. When the saddle block anesthetic was injected into you, you had a severe allergic reaction. Evidently, you didn't have one with your first pregnancy. That reaction caused you to have a stroke. The stroke in turn caused you to go into a coma. You've been in a coma almost six months."
"SIX MONTHS?"
"Yes. Frankly, we were afraid you might not ever awake. Anyway, your son was taken by C Section and was a little jaundiced but otherwise healthy. Your mother, daughter and husband took him home as soon as he was cleared to leave the NICU."
"My husband came? You mean Cameron?"
"No. I think they called him James."
"My ex-husband came?"
"Leslie, you're getting too agitated. Rest up until your mother gets here. Try and relax."
* * * * *
It was quite a while before anyone actually came. When they did, it was the twins and not Sarah, my mother. "Where's your grandmother? Is she alright?"
"She called us. She thought you would take the news about Evan better hearing from us."
"Take what news better? What the Hell has happened to my son? Is he sick?"
"Evan is fine Mom. Don't worry about him."
"Tell me what happened before I have another stroke."
"After you had your stroke and went into a coma, the doctor's delivered Evan and then another doctor started treating you. After several weeks, you were still in a coma and the care issues for Evan had to be decided. None of us wanted to see Evan go into foster care. Grandma went to court and got Guardianship of you. On your behalf, she had Dad listed as Evan's father on the birth certificate and you as the mother."
"James? Why in the world would he want to be listed as the father of Cameron's son?"
"First and foremost, he wanted to make sure Evan was cared for by people who loved him. He had the financial means to do so. By being listed as his father, he could be covered on Dad's health insurance. But that wasn't the only reason. You wouldn't believe it Mom, but there was an instant bonding between Evan and Dad. From almost the beginning, Evan would cry if anyone else but Dad held him. Dad took over his care as if he was his mother and the father. We're surprised Dad didn't try to breast feed him." The twins chuckled.
"Damnit, girls. This is no laughing matter. Are you saying that James has my son?"
"Yes. But that's not all. We have something else to tell you." The twins looked like they were scared to say more.
"What is it?"
"Evan has a new mother, too."
"WHAT?" Leslie's monitors went off. Nurses rushed in and tranquilizers were injected. She calmed down.
"Now tell me how the Hell my son could have a mother other than me."
"Well, a month or so ago, Grandma allowed Dad's new wife, Jill, to adopt Evan. Dad had already gotten Cameron to give up his rights and agree for Dad to adopt Evan. Cameron was happy to get out of 18 years of child support. He didn't like it when Dad broke his nose though."
"James re-married? He and his new wife have adopted my son? This can't be happening. This just can't be." I started crying.
"Mom, the important thing is that you are awake and are going to be okay. Our little brother is doing just fine."
"No, the most important thing is that my son doesn't have his mother. How could you let them do that to me?"
"Mom, you were in a coma. No one knew if you were going to come out of it or not. We made the best decision for Evan at the time. Don't you see that?"
"All I see are some back-stabbing bitches that have helped my ex-husband steal my baby from me. Get out of my room!"
* * * * *
JAMES
"That's great news, girls. Your Mom is out of her coma. How is she doing?"
"Mostly she's PISSED at all of us. She accused us of helping you steal her baby. She won't speak to us now. Grandma Sarah told us Mom refused to let her see her too. We're all traitors in her mind. We don't know what to do to get her to understand we did the best we could."
"She's probably still reacting to her being in a coma. Let's give her time to calm down. I'll call Sarah now to see how's she's doing."
"Hello."
"Sarah, it's Jim. The twins just called me about Leslie."
"Oh, Jim. She's breaking my heart with all those accusations about stealing her child. I was trying to do the best thing for Evan and now . . . " Sarah broke down crying.
"Sarah, don't blame yourself. You did do the right thing for Evan given the circumstances. We all did."
"But now that Leslie is awake, she's mad at us. I guess she can she undo all that we did, but I wonder if she's ready to care for Evan? How quickly can she get Evan back?"
"It will take her some time and a couple of legal actions. You still have Guardianship over her. The first thing she will have to do is go to court to get her rights back. In the meantime, she probably needs extensive physical therapy to get her strength back. What I worry about most is her mental state. I can tell you that I won't willingly let her have access to Evan unless it looks like she can behave in a way that won't accidently harm him. Jill and I need to talk about how this could affect Evan. I guess we need to contact a family law lawyer also about what we legally can and cannot do."
* * * * *
LESLIE
Well, at least I am smart enough to have married someone with plenty of money the second time. I have an apartment, a car and a lawyer waiting for me once I get my control of my atrophied muscles back. I was ready to go to court immediately to get my son back, but it seems I have to jump through some stupid legal hoops first. My attorney says I have to be examined by a doctor, a psychologist and a social worker. Then I go in front of a six-person jury to prove I am capable of managing my own affairs now. Until then, my mother can make decisions for me like I was still a young child. She can prevent me from seeing my child. My lawyer says I might need to establish a home and provide proof to the social worker that I can take care of a child by myself before I tackle the legality of his adoption in case James sues to keep custody. The health insurance I had was through my work. Now, I need to get health insurance on my own for me and Evan. I was surprised how expensive the options are.
Taking a step back, I can't believe the irony of my situation. Any teenage mother on drugs with no job, no husband and no means of support can have a baby and walk out of the hospital with the baby. No one makes her prove she can take care of the baby. I wake up from a temporary coma and I'm treated like an alien from another planet.
Evan. I can't stop thinking about my poor baby. Evan is growing up believing another woman is his mother. I have missed several of his developmental milestones already. I can't stand the thought of not being with him. It is breaking my heart. I am his mother, damnit! No one else. Every day that goes by without me will make it harder on him to believe I am his mother once I do get him back.
James. I don't guess that I should be too mad that James was willing to be his temporary father. He did a good job with the girls. He always had common sense. I bet he will be reasonable about this. He better be reasonable with me or I'll . . . Maybe I've been too angry at his participation in this travesty. I need to call him. I bet we can work this all out.
"Hello."
"Is James there?"
"Yes, who may I say is calling?"
"This is Leslie. Who are you?"
"I'm Jill, Jim's wife."
That statement caught me off guard. I was not prepared that James had moved on to another woman so quickly.
Jill continued, "Leslie, We're so glad to hear that you've recovered from your coma. How are you feeling?"
"How am I? You're asking how am I? How do you think I am you . . . you baby stealing, husband stealing bitch?"
"Leslie, I know you're upset, but I will not let you talk to me that way. Either calm down or I will hang up."
"You get Jim on the phone now, slut or . . . Hello?" Damnit. Hung up on me.
Shit! What is wrong with me? I nearly bit that woman's head off. I'm making things harder than they need to be. I need to apologize.
The phone rang numerous times at James and Jill's house with no answer. The answering machine took over. Leslie stammered a message, "Jill, this is Leslie again. I'm sorry I yelled at you. I'm really struggling right now. Please forgive me. It's just that you have . . . my son . . . and I . . . " the message ended with Leslie sobbing in the background.
JAMES
A teary-eyed Jill met James at the door. "James, Leslie called. She was very belligerent at first. I'm afraid I hung up on her. Now, she's left an apology on the answering machine. I think she's emotionally disturbed. I'm sure from her perspective that she firmly believes has good reason to be upset. But when I think what all we've sacrificed for Evan, I just . . . " Jill started crying with her head on James' shoulder.
"James, I know we hoped that Leslie would recover and be able to have her son back, but I have gotten used to being his mother. We have treated him like he was going to be ours. But we had to do that in order not to shortchange his development by hesitating doing something because we were worried he might leave soon. Now that she may be in a position to take him, I'm going to have trouble letting go."
"Jill, this is going to be traumatic for all of us. It certainly for Leslie. We have to absorb the blows from her frustration in order for Evan not to suffer too much in the transition. I'm going to call her back and see if I can talk some sense into her."
"Leslie?"
"James. Oh James, I'm so sorry I cursed at your wife. It's just that my emotions are so raw and exposed I just can't seem to control my words. Can we, just you and me, sit down and work this out? The girls have told me good things about how you've taken care of Evan for me."
"Jill and I would love to talk to you -- calmly. Leslie, I've read up on people coming out of comas. Your behavior with our daughters, your mother and now Jill is not uncommon in the months after coming out of a coma like you did. We all have Evan's best interest in mind. We're sure you've been challenged both physically and emotionally. In order for you to be better prepared to handle taking care of Evan by yourself, we suggest you go see a competent therapist and get yourself in a good state of mind before we talk about him staying with you. How does that sound?"
"It sounds like you are trying everything you can to keep me away from my baby, you son-of-a-bitch. Is that you and your whore's game? Keep my baby away so long that it will be too late for him to bond with his REAL mother? You can stick your therapist suggestion up . . . Hello?" Damnit. Hung up on again.
* * * * *
FAMILY COURT
After having her rights restored in Guardianship Court, Leslie sued to overturn the adoption actions her mother agreed to while acting as Leslie's guardian and have Evan returned to her.
James counter-sued to force Leslie to have a psychiatric evaluation and home assessment to prove she could take care of a child as a single mother before cancelling the actions taken while Leslie was in a coma. In any case, they wanted to require a mutually agreed upon transition plan to assure the least amount of trauma for Evan.
Leslie and her attorney arrived first. Her mother and Holly, one of her twin daughters came in and sat behind where James and Jill would be sitting. Leslie was fuming at what she perceived as traitorous behavior on their part.
Leslie watched as James and Jill came in. She had never seen Jill before and was surprised that Jill seemed a lot older than James. She was attractive for her age. They also had a Down Syndrome young man with them. He looked like he was about 25 years old. Why was he there? Why wasn't Evan there? She suspected foul play. Leslie became highly agitated. Once everyone was seated and the judge gaveled court to order, she screamed, "Where's my son?" She was sure that Evan would be in the court room for her to take home once the judge decided to restore custody to her.
The judge yelled, "Counselor, restrain your client."
James' attorney, Ms. Wimsett, spoke up. "Your honor, my clients are afraid that Evan might be emotionally harmed if he were to witness the intense, personal drama that might come up today. He is nearby should his honor want him to be present."
"At his age, I see no reason for him to be present during these proceedings. Let's get started."
Leslie's lawyer gave his opening remarks. "Your honor, this case is odd but simple. Ms. Crandall, she prefers to use her maiden name now, was having a child by her second husband when she had an allergic reaction to her anesthetic which triggered a stroke and then went into a coma. While helpless in a coma, her mother became her legal guardian but, in my client's opinion, illegally gave Leslie's child, her grandson up for adoption to Ms. Crandall's ex-husband and his new wife. When Ms. Crandall regained consciousness, she found out that her ex-husband and his new wife did not intend to give her son back immediately as requested. We expect the court to correct that today."
Ms. Wimsett had her turn at an opening. "Your honor, the position of my clients is based on solely on what's in the best interest of the child, Evan. In the ideal world, a child would be together in a safe, caring home with a mother and a father. My clients have no problem with returning Evan to his mother, but because of what she had suffered physically and emotionally, the needs to be one reasonable condition: the mother be able to show that the physical and psychological side effects of the coma have been overcome and that she is able to provide a safe and loving home that he has become accustomed to with my clients. The court should order that and require a smooth transition."
Leslie was called to testify. She had been briefed to keep her temper under control. Her earlier outburst had worried her attorney. She was asked to tell her story.
"I had what I considered a successful, but not great, marriage to my first husband for 20 years. I figured I had to stay in the house with him until my daughters went to college for their sake. It was after they left that I found out that I needed more from a husband than James was willing or able to provide. I found what I thought I needed in another man. We got married after James and I divorced. Soon we were having a child.
"When my second husband was told that his son was going to be a Down Syndrome child, he deserted me and my son. Although I have no functional husband at home, I was and am perfectly capable of providing a good home for myself and my child in every way: financially and mothering.
"Things were fine during my pregnancy with adequate bed rest. As far as I knew there was not a problem I started in labor. As you heard, I suffered in succession an allergic reaction, a stroke and, finally, a coma. I lay unconscious, unable to defend my rights or communicate my desires for six months while my traitorous family decided to use the opportunity to take my baby away from me."
Leslie's voice got louder, and her words came out faster.
"Instead of waiting for me to recover and resume my life with my child, they planned for me to die. They WANTED me to die! To add insult to injury they used my helplessness to conspire with my jealous ex-husband to take MY son away. Do you hear me, James? HE IS MY SON."
"The witness will refrain from talking to the opposing party."
"I'm sorry, your honor. I'll try to keep calm. As I was saying, to keep my son from me, James and his suddenly acquired new 'wife' have tried to make out like I'm crazy just because I'm upset that they are keeping my son from me. I have every right to be upset. Each and every day my son is being brain-washed by my revenge-seeking ex and his accomplice. Why shouldn't I be upset? It's not like I'm some whore from the street with no means of supporting myself and my child. I have a nice apartment, a vehicle with car seat, and enough money from my divorce from my second husband to stay home with my son for several years without having to go to work. There is NO -- G00D -- REASON for not giving me my child today! Where is he? Why isn't he in the court? They say It's because of what he might hear some harsh words. I say it's because they would do anything to delay my reunion with my child if they can't stop it altogether." Leslie started crying. She was given some time to recover before James' lawyer could question her.
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Ms. Wimsett spoke in a smooth, calm voice. "Ms. Crandall, let me assure you that my clients only had Evan's best interest at heart. They . . . "
"How is stealing my child in his best interest?"
James' attorney immediately changed the tone of her communication. "They stole your child? Come now Ms. Crandall, did you or did you not become pregnant with Evan BEFORE you started the divorce process with your ex-husband?
"Our marriage was over by then even though we had not divorced yet."
"Having sex with and getting pregnant by another man obviously meant it was over for you."
"Objection!"
"Sustained."
"Sorry, your honor. I won't ask you about how terrible a husband and father James was. I have your mother and daughters to testify not only as to what kind of father he was to your girls while they were growing up but also to the time Evan has been with him and his current wife. What I do want to ask you is this: Twenty years ago, did James leave you when he found out that you were going to have twins?
"No, of course not."
"Did he ever get another woman pregnant while you two were still married? Oh wait, he had a vasectomy because YOU didn't want to have any more children. Then you wind up pregnant again. So, evidently you lied about not wanting anymore children?"
"No, I never lied about that. I just got so used to having sex without using birth control I didn't protect myself with Cameron. It was an accident."
"So, you didn't want to have Evan then?"
"Yes, No, you're twisting my words. I didn't want to get pregnant, but once I was, I wanted him. I still want him."
"So, you didn't want another child by your husband of 20 years, but you didn't bother to take the precautions not to have a child from your lover of several months. How well did that work for you, Ms. Crandall?"
"Objection!"
"Sustained. Let's keep the snide comments out."
"Sorry, your honor. Let's move on to when your second husband dumped you after you dumped your husband for him. Let's go on to the time you were in a coma. Were you aware that your ex-husband, mother and daughters all prayed for you to recover? Were you aware that the Child Welfare Office was threatening to put Evan in Foster Care? After more than a month, wasn't it time for your family to do more for the vulnerable infant Evan than to pray? Who do you think kept Evan during that time, feeding, bathing, diapering him? Who was kissing, hugging, and loving him? Was it your mother, your daughters, your ex-husband and people he paid to help out? Yes, they did. They had to do something because not only were you in a coma, but also no one knew if you would EVER recover from your coma, did they?"
"You've asked too many questions for me to answer. I don't know what happened to Evan until after I recovered. That's when I found out about the conspiracy to take my son from me."
"We will have witnesses tell you what happened to Evan while you were in the coma. Let's move on to after you awoke. Were you physically able to take care of an infant immediately after you awoke?"
"No, my muscles had atrophied, and I needed physical therapy to get back to where I could care for myself and my child. I have that now so there's no reason to return him to me."
"So, are you saying that no one should have cared for Evan during your coma and after when you admit you couldn't even care for him yourself?"
"Nonsense, of course someone should have cared for him. But they didn't have to adopt him to care for him."
"So, it didn't matter that in order to have Evan covered by health insurance your ex-husband adopted him? Although he was listed on the birth certificate, James went beyond that to have his wife adopt him and to get a release from Evan's biological father, just to make sure his continuation of care would not be disrupted.
"Do you know how many physical problems children with Downs typically have Ms. Crandall? Did you know that Evan has a hole in his heart that could require surgery at any time? Did you know that a Speech Therapist has been working with Evan because he has a swallowing problem?"
"Of course, I'm glad that someone took care of him for me. But that's what it should have been: taking care of him FOR ME until I could. I can now. GIVE ME MY BABY!"
"Are you sure you're ready to be a mother for a special needs child? Were you told about the potential lingering psychological effects of being in a coma? Did you think you were you being grateful to one of the people caring for your son when you cursed out my client Jill Masters? Then when my clients suggested you get professional mental health services, you made threats to the people who did care for Evan when you couldn't. Does that sound like the kind of person to hand a mentally and physically challenged child to?"
"They exaggerated my statements. I was mad when they kept my baby away from me."
"Yes. Shame on them for keeping a helpless infant from his physically weak and emotionally distressed mother."
"Counselor!"
"Sorry, your honor. That's all I have."
* * * * *
Testimony was heard from Sarah, the twins, then James and Jill. They all reported they were doing what was needed for Evan's care based on what he needed for an indefinite period of time. They all said they hoped Leslie would eventually be able to care for her son. They all said that for Evan's sake she needed professional counseling and maybe even an evaluation and monitoring of her home by Children's Services.
The judge ruled. "As much as I think it would be in the best interests of Ms. Crandall to seek counseling, the reversal of her need for guardianship required a multi-disciplinary evaluation of her competence. Since she is now considered a legally, competent adult, I must rule that all previous adoption actions are now null and void. The child, Evan, shall be returned to her as soon as possible." He gaveled the proceedings shut.
Leslie cried. She cried tears of joy. The rest of the family cried too. They cried tears of sadness. Evan was sent for. Barbara, the twin watching him, brought Evan to James. "I'm sorry. I can't give him to her." James took Evan and the large bag with his stuff over to Leslie. She snatched him up abruptly. Evan cried and reached for someone he knew to hold him. He reached back for the man he knew as his daddy. James was in tears when he offered Leslie a chance to work out a smoother transition for taking Evan. As she struggled to hold on to a squirming Evan, Leslie told James to go fuck himself. She took her son and his things to her home.
At first, Evan was never out of her sight. His crib was next to her bed. Leslie overdosed him with love to try and make up for her lack of contact since he was born. He responded to her care by crying, sleeping, eating, peeing and pooping. Lack of familiarity with her smell, her feel, and her voice meant that it took him a while to let Leslie hold him without resisting. Reality was a harsh teacher for a middle age mother of an infant. Leslie became aware that there were things she did not know about his care history and his medical situation she needed to know. She lamented that by taking Evan abruptly from the home and people he knew as mother and father, she was making it harder on him than it should have been. Reluctantly, she called James up and asked if she could come over and pick up the rest of his things and, most importantly, talk civilly about Evan. James readily agreed.
* * * * *
AT JAMES' HOUSE
Leslie was surprised that the young male with Downs that she had seen in the courtroom answered the door.
Initially ignoring Leslie, the young man talked to the infant. "Hey Evan. How's my little buddy?"
Addressing Leslie, he said, "Hi, I'm Mark and I don't like the things you said about my mother."
Jill hollered out from the kitchen, "Mark, be polite and let her in."
"Okay, but I still don't like her."
Jill came into the living room and greeted her. "Please come in, Leslie. Would you like something to drink? Coffee, tea, wine?"
"Coffee would be great. A little milk and some artificial sweetener."
"Mark, would you bring in the coffee and the condiments."
"Okay, Mom." As soon as Mark came back, Evan tried to get away to go to him. He asked Leslie, "May I play with him? He still has a bunch of toys in his old room."
Leslie looked at Jill who said, "Don't worry. They will be fine."
"Okay." Evan went to Mark willingly and started giggling right away. They went to a room down the hall from the living room.
"So, Jill, Mark is your son I take it. Does he live here with you and James?"
"No, he has his own apartment. I didn't used to see him that much with his job and girlfriend and all, but ever since Evan came, he has wanted to come over and help us care for him. He has really missed Evan. We all have." Tears started to come to her eyes. "I'm sorry. I promised myself I wouldn't do this."
"Jill, I'm the one who needs to apologize for my behavior the last few months. Having had Evan a while now, I have come to realize a number of things. First and foremost, you and James did a great job in taking care of Evan. My emotions were all mixed up after coming out of the coma. I said some things I completely regretted later. I want to thank you for what you did for my son."
"Apology accepted. Whereas I want you to know our intention was to give Evan the best home possible, the idea of you coming to get him back, however, was getting harder for us to imagine as your coma continued. It has been very difficult without him here. I was so glad you brought him here tonight so we could see him. We have most of his stuff packed up for you to take with you. Feel free to get rid of things you don't want. We kind of went crazy buying things for him. Your mother and daughters bought a lot of stuff too."
"Actually, I had hoped we could talk some about caring for Evan. I think I can learn a lot from you about raising a Down Syndrome child plus I need any medical information you can give me."
"We have a packet of medical information for you. James thought it better we wait until you asked for it. You seemed quite sure you didn't want any help or information from us at the courthouse."
About that time, James came in. "Sorry, folks. I had to work later than I thought. Let me put my things up and I'll come back. Do you have enough coffee for me too?"
"I'll put some more on while you do your thing. Leslie, is there anything else I can get you while I'm up?"
"No, thanks."
"I'll be right back."
Leslie took the time she had to herself to look around. The home had a very comfortable feel to it. She could tell that the house had been 'childproofed' similar to what the house had looked like when the girls were young and what her apartment looked like now. Evan had already given her several lessons in the need to childproof her apartment.
James came in and asked, "What did I miss?"
"Nothing much. Jill and I were getting acquainted."
"Did you bring Evan?"
"He's with Mark. Evan started insisting to play with him almost as soon as we got here."
"They do get along well. Mark is a remarkable young man. He has a job at Kroger's and takes care of himself except for driving a car and money management. He takes great pride in his independence."
"I can see why Jill was such a help with Evan. She seems to have done a great job with Mark."
"Yes. I couldn't have handled raising Evan nearly as well by myself. Meeting Jill was my answer to a prayer. Now, what can we help you with?" Jill had brought more coffee and sat down beside James.
The three adults spent a great deal of time talking. James briefed Leslie on medical issues. James and Jill had everyone laughing at stories of Evan's exploits including the night they heard the cat crunching on his dry food only to find out that the cat was in the room with them. Upon investigation, they found out that Evan had escaped his playpen and was enjoying a snack. They had called Poison Control only to find that not only was it not harmful but was probably very nutritious.
When Evan had fallen to sleep, Leslie decided it was time that she and he made their exit. Leslie only took the packet of information as James promised to bring the toys and clothes they still had to her apartment tomorrow. Leslie was feeling so good, she didn't want to leave.
From then on, there were times they all got together again. James and Jill even babysat Evan when Leslie started dating again. Leslie found out that her experience with James and Cameron had made her more sensitive of the attributes of the type of man she wanted as well as more aware of the pitfalls of falling for a seductive line from a handsome man. None of the men for a few years she dated became a serious contender for marriage.
* * * * *
SURGERY
It became the time when Evan was old enough to have the surgery to close the hole in his heart. The girls couldn't get away to come stay with Leslie. Sarah was having her own health problems and didn't want Leslie to have to worry about her and Evan both. James and Jill had told her long ago they would be glad to come be with her at the hospital if she wanted them.
Leslie was in the waiting room when James came in with two large shopping bags. "How's he doing, Leslie?"
"He just went in for surgery. They'll tell us when he goes into the Recovery Room."
"How are YOU doing, Leslie?"
"Barely hanging on. They say on one hand that it's a surgery they have done many times and that he should have no problem, but then they say that there's always a risk with heart surgery. Oh James, I could not stand to lose him after what I went through to get him back." Suddenly she became aware of what that might sound like to James.
"James, I didn't mean that to criticize you. You and Jill have been wonderful to me. Where is she by the way?"
"Jill doesn't live with me anymore. She's gone back to take care of her elderly parents. Mark has gone with her."
"Are you . . . "
"Divorcing? Yes. But you are not aware that we sort of planned it that way. When we were first discussing about how best to take care of Evan, we decided that I needed a wife. That would make it easier to make a stronger legal case for adopting Evan. The adoption also helped get Evan on my health insurance. I went to the local ARC, the organization that advocates for the mentally challenged and their families and talked to the Director about someone to help me with my situation. Jill was the Director. She fell in love with Evan from the start. I felt an instant connection with Jill seeing how she reacted being around Evan.
After meeting with her several times, we agreed on getting married for Evan's sake. I won't lie though. Although we were not intimate at first, she and I had a real marriage in every way. Since she was several years older than I, she determined that there might come a time where it would be best for her to leave and give me a chance to find a woman closer to my age, whether you recovered or not. The need to help her parents proved to be the time for the break. Actually, I should be on the market again in a month or so."
"James, you won't have any problems finding an interested woman. You were a wonderful husband and father." Leslie felt herself getting emotional. She changed subjects. "Now, what is in those bags? More stuff for Evan?"
"No, this stuff is for you."
Leslie looked in the bags. "The photo albums! You said you burned them! You mean bastard. Oh my Gosh! That was one thing I swore never to forgive you for doing. Damn it, I may have to like you again, but don't count on it."
They spent the next couple of hours going through the photos, laughing and crying at the various memories that were prompted by the pictures. The hug they gave each other on hearing Evan was doing fine was much deeper and longer than either had expected. Both felt that something had been rekindled that night.
James and Leslie started dating. In the next year, Leslie's mother died, and James helped Leslie and the girls settle the estate. The four of them together acted like a family again with the addition of an active young boy to help keep them on their toes. On one of their dates, James and Leslie had sex for the first time since Leslie's pregnancy with Evan. Neither had said in advance that it was time. They just both felt it was time. Before long, James was ready to do something about formalizing their relationship again.
James was scheduled to come over to pick up Leslie for what he planned to be a special date. He had taken Evan with him for a day of fun before the date and leaving him with a babysitter. Part of the day, however, was spent helping James pick out Engagement Ring 2.0. Evan fell asleep in the car soon after, so James decided to take him to Leslie's apartment early. James stopped his car short of pulling into her apartment complex as he saw a strange car in the guest spot at Leslie's carport. He got a funny feeling in his stomach as he waited and watched.
* * * * *
LESLIE
Who could it be at the door? I guess it's another kid selling a discount card. Oh well. She almost fainted when she opened the door.
"Cameron, what the hell are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry to surprise you. I was afraid you would not talk to me if you knew I was coming. Don't worry. I'm not here to cause problems. I came to apologize. It has taken me a few more women in my life before I found the one who meant to tame me. She has helped me see what a total clod I have been most of my life. I'm now on an 'Apology Tour.' You are the first and most important stop on my tour." Tears formed in his eyes. "Leslie, I was wrong to seduce you and it was completely despicable for me to desert you and our son. When James came along and saved me hundreds of thousand dollars of child support payments, I thought I had gotten away with being an asshole again. I know differently now. Leslie, besides my apology, here is a check for $100,000 for you to use on your son. Please accept it. It is an important part of my repentance."
"Cameron, you'll always be an asshole to me, but now I guess I can consider you to be a recovering asshole at least." She hugged him. "Where are my manners? Can you come in? Is your new woman outside? I would like to meet her. James and Evan should be home soon if you can stay."
"No, Emma is back at the hotel waiting on me and I doubt that James wants to see me. Also, I'm afraid I would break down upon seeing Evan. I'll just leave and wish you and your family well."
Leslie hugged and kissed him on the porch while thanking him again and saying goodbye.
James saw Cameron leaving and Leslie's hug and kiss. His imagination went wild with what he had assumed had happened before he came to her apartment unexpectedly early. Once Cameron was gone and Leslie went back inside, he drove off and said to the still sleeping Evan, "Well son, I've always wanted to take you to Disney World. We don't have anything better to do now, so we'll head there tonight. First, we'll go return the ring to the jeweler, next we'll get money from the ATM, and then I'll pick up some of our stuff at my house. We'll be on our way to Orlando in a couple of hours. It's just you and me now little buddy."
END OF PART ONE
I have an idea of how to continue this story but am willing to take suggestions from the readers under consideration.
