Teaghan
Today was the day I was asked to show up in court.
I was uneasy. For one, I didn’t understand why I was needed.
I gave my statement over and over and had nothing more to do with it.
Secondly, I was nervous about seeing Houston for the first time since we split.
I attempted to call him after I got the notice, but it was clear my number was blocked.
It all felt extreme to me. Houston was acting like I planned to hurt Malone or as if we shared nothing.
Even with him acting like this, I still missed him.
I cared for Bobby, but it all felt staged.
Every time he called or came around he tried so hard.
It was like he had an inside scoop into what I really wanted but somehow was still missing the mark.
Everything was simple with Houston, and I loved it that way.
A pony-tail, sweats, and snacks while we watched an old movie.
Bobby was the exact opposite. It was clear I missed Houston.
“You ready babe?” Bobby asked as I spritz my perfume on. I couldn’t understand why he insisted on accompanying me to this court hearing. I explained that it wasn’t something he needed to concern himself with, but he explained something about being a man. It went in one ear and out the other.
My mood was in a pretzel, it felt like he was slowly attempting to strip me of independence.
I was fine doing things on my own and handling them without the occasional butting in.
Bobby was doing a lot of it and it was giving me a headache.
My mom was convinced it was just me not being used to a man taking control and gathering the reins.
It was true I wasn’t used to it and I didn’t want to get used to relying on a man.
I knew men would come with the occasional disappointment.
“Yea, I think so. I still don’t understand why you want to come.
I’ll probably be in and out,” I mentioned hoping he would have something of his own to do.
Over dinner that night I explained the full story of me and Houston.
I couldn’t help but feel like he was threatened.
He didn’t need to be, hell Houston wasn’t thinking about me.
“I’m going Teaghan and you won’t be able to stop me.
Let me be by your side,” he said rubbing my shoulders and grabbing my hand.
I grabbed my shades and purse from the counter, and we headed out.
Today was something I wasn’t looking forward to.
I had no idea what was to come of this, but I hoped it was something helpful.
If I could help clear Houston, it would make it worth it.
But again, I had no clue what I was walking into.
My black suit and black shades were potentially way too much. I looked like John Gotti’s wife or a widow seeking justice for my deceased husband. I giggled at the thought because I had a way of creating my own funny damn situation and outcomes in my head when there was nothing funny.
The only thing keeping me full of happy vibes right now was the fact that my baby was back open and thriving.
All my patients decided to stay with me and continue to be a part of my dream.
Seeing my kids and the families made my darkest days seem a little brighter.
I needed it because I was starting to feel like everything I touched was tainted.
The heavy feeling in my heart and the crushing darkness heartbreak provided was hit or miss.
I had my good days and then I had my really bad ones.
As soon as I got closer I got to having what I wanted, it was snatched away.
The universe wasn’t fucking with the plans I had.
It was hell-bent on changing me every step.
I just thanked God I was strong enough to keep pushing and fighting for what I wanted.
Hence the reason I couldn’t continue this thing with Bobby much longer.
I had no desire to be or love a man that came from the same background as me.
Of course, it made sense to be with the governor considering I was the governor's daughter. It just all felt to cookie cutter for me. My individuality would be under attack if I took this thing with Bobby further than friends. He was a good man and that I couldn’t deny but he wasn’t the man for me.
His title would never come before my dreams and I wasn’t my mother.
After court, I would have to break it to him gently.
But for now, we were pulling up to the courthouse looking all of the power couple persona he wanted.
I had no need for it. People and news headlines didn’t validate me or what I did.
I couldn’t say that for Bobby as he hopped out the car requesting my hand.
Providing my hand he kissed it and I rolled my eyes under my shades.
Always so damn extra. I imagined he would be the one that had to always say I love you more after every text or buy me a damn unicorn instead of a puppy.
I could do without all the theatrics. I just wanted a man to love me however I came.
Match my efforts. Love wasn’t a competition.
“Once this is all over, we should travel and just get out of here for a few days.”
“You act like I’m facing twenty-five to life under the Rico Act.
Chill,” I shushed. He was on my nerves making things more than what it was.
This was a family court matter, not a murder charge.
I wasn’t about to be in front of peers trying to convince them that I was a law-abiding citizen.
He had one more chance or I was sending his ass to the car and out of my face.
“You’re stressed, I get it.”
Walking into small courtroom there were only a few people in attendance, but I spotted my parents in the corner and that forced me to step on Bobby’s toes but for real because he was constantly stepping on mine.
Shortly after we got seated I spotted Houston my left.
My breath halted passing through my lungs.
It was as if this was my first time performing the act in a long time.
I hadn’t taken a real chance to exhale since things ended with me and him and it showed.
He stared at me and look so disappointed as he noticed Bobby.
Unfortunately, I didn’t care. The asshole part of me wanted him to see me with someone else but the other part knew I would die a slow death if the shoe was on the other foot. This was a whole damn mess.
I was so tempted to go sit with him and ask for just a minute
of his time. Things had simmered down and a moment of his time to gauge his stand wasn’t asking for too much. But as I watched him turn his head I knew maybe what we had was just going to be a memory of the best time of my life.
“All rise for Judge Marie Sheldon.”
My hands were sweating, and I just wanted this shit to get started and be over with.
I couldn’t stand to be around him acting as if we had nothing or nothing of each other.
The shit was easy for him, it was how he lived his life.
Not being seen or acknowledging his obstacles.
I couldn’t. Every day I thought of him and Malone.
I prayed fate would seal the deal for us.
I wished he would answer my goals and continue to put my hope back in men, but it wasn’t happening.
Right now he was only showing me that he hadn’t changed from the selfish person I had him picked for previously.
“Ladies and gentlemen we are here today to discuss the custody of Malone Logan McGraw. We have been brought here today by his maternal grandparents Kim and Chester Phillips. They are hereby seeking full custody with supervised visits from Houston McGraw. Is everyone here so we can get started?”
I looked around and couldn’t believe this was happening for Houston.
His biggest fear was losing Malone and from the looks of the scene before me, it seemed it was happening right before my eyes.
I felt terrible. I prayed the accident with Malone hadn’t brought this on.
Our conversations had led to how they were and I feared this would happen with or without me.
However, I was the catalyst to get it started.
Watching a family divided upset me. Somehow what was best for Malone was getting lost in the shuffle of who was better.
Soon I would be back at the school communicating with Ms. Norwood on Malone's behavior. This type of change could set off a series of events that just wouldn’t be beneficial.
“Judge, Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are looking to be residential parents. There are claims of violence and impending visitation. Mr. McGraw has done his job, but his grandparents do want it to be considered that Malone reside with them. They can provide a two-parent household and love.”
“And why can’t the father provide this? I see here that for the last three years the Phillips haven’t had much contact with the defendant. Is that true?”
“Yes, your honor. They were mourning the death of their daughter and decided to take some much needed time to themselves.”
“What can they show that will prove that they won’t need time again. You see I don’t want a young boy in here again being shuffled.”
“We are proposing that Houston is granted summer visitation. Recently there was an incident that has raised some concerns for the grandparents. We would like to bring Pediatrician and ex-girlfriend Teaghan LeJune to the stand. I believe she would be able to provide information on the state of the child as well as the outburst that happened at the hospital.”
The entire time I was hoping it was him that called for my attendance. I didn’t want to be a part of causing him to lose Malone. But I gathered my thoughts and decided it was time to pull the politician out of me. Houston was a great father and I would be sure to make sure that was conveyed.