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Grandma's View of Divorce#3 5/15/2014 6:39:44 AM
Divorce is ugly and custody battles are brutal! Friday - Day Three “I’m Back!”
Heather had already gone to file papers at the courthouse. It was a joy to have the other three kids with us and they kept me busy and occupied. Heather made arrangements to get the papers served to Luke. We thought we would have to wait for the weekend to get over, papers to be mailed so they could be served and everything else. What happened was, her best friend Cadette went with her while we watched the kids and took the papers and delivered them to him. Stonington Police Department went with them. The officer insisted on arranging a visitation with Heather and Breezy. The overnight visit was set for 4 PM on Friday. We were all so happy but sad to think it would be another day until we could hold her little body next to us and see her beautiful smile.
The day seemed endless. Heather’s phone was blowing up and people were checking on me too. When my good friend Sarah texted me, I was able to vent and felt better after we talked. She made arrangements to come over and pick up my latest book in the afternoon.
When the phone rang with a number I didn’t recognize, I didn’t think anything about it. The house is on the market and realtors are supposed to call me to arrange a showing. I was surprised because instead of a realtor, it was a lawyer. Luke’s lawyer. The papers said he had to surrender Brianna to me and he set up a time. I made it very clear that unless Luke wanted to tell me something I needed to know about Breezy, I didn’t want to have any conversation with him. I’ve been burnt before. Things I said and didn’t say were twisted around to fit his needs and make it look like I was taking his side when it happened before. It was not going to happen like that again. What he did was wrong, just plain wrong.
Sarah texted me she would be there in 20 minutes. I wanted to see her so bad. I missed her and we have a wonderful working relationship and friendship. She feels like another daughter to me.
Heather left with the kids because the order of protection said he couldn’t be within 500 feet of her and the other kids. I saw him backing into the driveway, I prayed for strength. First to not cut loose and tell him what I thought and second to not cry in front of him or Breezy. He opened the trunk and emptied it out, placing the bags on the step in front of the door. Breezy got out of the car and ran to give me a big hug. He said, “I’ll help you get the bags in.” My reply was, “Thanks but I will get them.”
He asked Breezy for some lovin’ as he called it. He told her how much he loved her and said “I will see you again when I’m allowed to.” With that, he got into his car and left. You might have thought I would have felt some compassion for him but all I could think of was him carrying her out of the shelter with a policeman when she was eight months old. Compassion? No, I’m sorry, I didn’t feel in the least bit sorry at all.
He had brought everything back with her. He was leaving and Sarah was pulling in. She was so glad to see Brianna! She is looking forward to having her in our first grade class this year. Marissa came along and it was so good to have someone hug me and let me release more of my pent up emotions.
I called Heather to let her know she was with me. I told Breezy her mommy and brother and sisters would be here in just a few minutes. She was so excited! She stood in the front room window watching for the van. When she saw it, she jumped up and down and ran to the door. Of course everyone was so happy to see her! She clung to them all and bounced around from sibling to mommy, to grandma, then to grandpa the rest of the evening.
It was a great time and we made sleeping arrangements for the night. Heather is having new locks put on her doors and then she hopes to feel safe enough to return to her own home. Right now, they are here.
Breezy had a bubble bath, she loves them so much! I washed her hair and then she sat on my lap asking me to comb it out for her. She smelled so good after her bath and it was wonderful to have her by my side. I combed her hair and then she played with my iPhone for a while. She loves my electronics and has her own app section! She finally began to get drowsy and mommy told her it was time to go to bed. She didn’t make a fuss, just gave grandpa and I a big hug and went to bed.
It had been a long and stressful day so mommy decided to go to bed too. Grandpa and I stayed awake and watched a little TV and decided it was time for us to crash too! Finally a peaceful night of sleep and I was very grateful about that.
