Epilogue #3
“I hereby grant Mrs. McDavid sole custody of the minor children as well as child support in the amount of three thousand dollars per month, due on the first day of each month, and spousal support in the amount of one thousand dollars, due concurrently. The child support, in the amount of fifteen hundred dollars per child, will continue until the children reach the age of eighteen. The spousal support will end only if Mrs. McDavid remarries. The decree will be final sixty days from today, with the initial payment for child support due on the first of next month. Spousal support will begin thirty days after the divorce is final. If you violate the restraining order, you’ll be arrested and charged. Am I clear on that?”
Bryan was now softly sobbing as tears ran down his face. “You’re really going to take my kids from me after everything she’s done to me?”
“She hasn’t done anything to you, Mr. McDavid,” Julian said, “other than be a faithful, loving wife and mother. You’re the one who filed for divorce, refused to engage in mediation and then took to social media to air your made-up grievances against the mother of your children.
If you’re looking for someone to blame, you might want to consult a mirror. ”
“Fuck you, you slick piece of shit.”
“Mr. McDavid,” the judge said, “if you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from your wife and children.”
Bryan glared at Rachel. “This isn’t over. Count on that, bitch.”
“Mr. Driscoll, please inform your client that he can be arrested for threatening Mrs. McDavid and let him know that this is, in fact, over. You can petition the court in twenty-four months to possibly modify the restraining order and revisit visitation with your children. I suggest you use that time wisely and invest in anger management classes if you hope to convince the court to allow you to see your sons.”
“Twenty-four months?” Bryan asked on a scream. “I can’t see them for two years?”
“Based on the things you posted about the mother of your children, I wouldn’t let you care for my dog,” Julian said. “You’re lucky it’s only two years.”
“Thank you for your input, Mr. Remington,” the judge said sarcastically. “Mrs. McDavid, you may leave the courtroom at this time. Mr. McDavid, you will wait for fifteen minutes before you leave. We are in recess.”
As the judge got up to leave the room, Bryan said, “I don’t get to say anything? You’re just taking my kids away for two fucking years and there’s nothing I can do about it?”
Driscoll took hold of Bryan’s arm to drag him to the back of the courtroom.
As Julian led Rachel from the room, they could hear every word Bryan was saying to his lawyer about this being total bullshit and how he was going to sue everyone involved.
“Do you have somewhere safe you can go until he’s formally served with the protection order?” Julian asked Rachel when they were outside.
“I… I’m not sure there’s anywhere safe. He knows all my friends and family.”
“What can I do for you?”
She shook her head and pulled another tissue from her pocket. “I don’t know what to say. I got what I wanted, but at what price? I’ll have to keep one eye over my shoulder and worry every second my kids aren’t with me.”
“As much as I hate to say this, it might be a good idea to relocate somewhere new. We can help you legally change your name and the kids’ names.”
She nodded, but exhaustion clung to her like a wet blanket after years of dealing with Bryan and his rage while trying to keep herself and her young sons safe.
“Come back to my office, and let’s figure out your next steps.”
“Thank you for everything you did to help me,” she said, looking devastated despite her “victory.”
“Of course. That’s my job.”
“You do it very well.”
“We try.”