May 15th, 2002
Faith was scared. Faith was terrified. Today was her court date to try to keep her children. There was no reason why she shouldn't get them. She didn't have a shady past like Fred did, but she was still scared. Faith laid her head on Bosco's shoulder as they waited to be called in.
"I was the one who sat by their beds when they were sick, I was the one who took Emily to the hospital when she broke her leg when she was five," She whispered reassuring herself. Her lawyer, Bryant, looked at Faith.
"Be sure to tell the judge all those things." He said. Faith nodded as the office door opened up. The three of them stood up and walked into the office. One good thing, they would be discussing this in an office and not in front of the court. Fred sat on the other side of the table with his lawyer. Faith's stomach turned. Hatred coursed through her veins as she looked at him. The lawyers and judge started to talk. Faith couldn't stop glaring at Fred
"My client is a fit mother. She has provided for her family for the past thirteen years while Mr. Yokas bounced from job to job and had a bought with alcoholism," Bryant said.
"I've been sober for two years." Fred said with a slight frowned. Faith shook her head.
"And what's stopping you from picking up the bottle again, Fred?" She asked. Bosco reached underneath the table and took her hand. A small amount of comfort was all he could give Faith at this time.
"Officer Yokas," The judge looked through the folder in front of him, "You work between sixty and seventy hours a week."
"I will cut down on that." She said, "I will go thirty hours if I have to."
"You can't do it." Fred said.
"Excuse me?"
"You're a work alcoholic." He said, "You care more about your work and your partner than your kids."
"No I do not." Faith frowned deeply. Her hands were shaking, "So I've missed a few plays and baseball games, but I was putting food on the table and a roof over their head. There hasn't been a moment in their lives that I haven't loved them or cared for them. It really hurts me, Fred, that you're calling me an unfit mother. Just because you're mad at me, don't take it out on our kids. They need both parents." Her lip trembled slightly. Fred looked away.
"When will this divorce be finalized?" The judge asked.
"Next week hopefully." Bryant said. The judge nodded.
"And officer Yokas, where is your residence at this time?"
"I'm staying with Officer Boscorelli." Faith indicated Bosco; "It's a stable situation." Fred glared at Bosco.
"There are spare rooms that would be perfect for Emily and Charlie." Bosco said biting his lip, "I've worked with faith for a long time now and there has been no part of that where I haven't thought she was a good mother. These past few months, she has talked non stop about them and not seeing them has been tearing her apart."
"And why haven't you attempted contact?" The judge asked.
"I have!" Faith cried, "I have called the apartment and there has been no answers. I have left dozens of messages. All I want to do is see my babies." The judge nodded.
"Why don't you two step out of here while I talk with your lawyers." The judge said, "You will be called in when we have settled." Faith nodded slowly. She and Bosco exited the room. She looked at Bosco with wide eyes.
"I hate this." She whispered, "I really hate this."
"I know." He said, "Want me to go in there and beat Fred up? I will in a heart beat."
"Yeah I know you will." She chuckled wiping her eyes. Fred exited the office glancing at them. "How long do you think the judge will take?"
"I don't know." He shrugged, "He needs to weigh every option and see what's best for the kids." Faith sighed deeply and nodded.
"What's best for the kids I know." She glanced over at Fred who was at the water fountain. "I never knew I could hate him like this."
"His actions the last couple months have really been bad." He said, "He isn't the man you fell in love with."
"I know." She whispered. Faith looked at the office door. In there, they ere deciding the rest of her life basically. Her heart pounded and shivers coursed through her body. The big oak door opened up and the lawyers waved them in. "Here we go." She whispered. They all walked in and took their seats. Faith's lawyer wouldn't look at her in the eyes. That scared her more than anything did.
"Well, after reviewing everything, I have found, neither of you really deserve these children." The judge said, "But I do see that there is room for improvement. I believe children in this situation should get the best of what they deserve. With your work history, Officer Yokas and your drinking history Mr. Yokas, I wonder what the best is for them. They deserve both parents. All kids deserve both parents." Faith held Bosco's hand tightly. "So, I have come to a conclusion. You two will have joint custody. Officer Yokas, You will have Emily and Charles on the weekends and every other holiday." Faith closed her eyes, "And because of your work schedule, You will pay child support to Mr. Yokas."
"What??" Faith gasped.
"You will pay Child support, Officer Yokas." The judge said, "If you don't you will be brought into the court. You will be getting forms in the mail to sign shortly, understand me?" Faith nodded slowly, trying to hold herself together. Fred smiled smugly at her. Bosco squeezed her hand. "The joint custody will be instated as soon as you sign these papers."
"Good." Fred took the papers without reading them and signed them. Faith couldn't believe it. Weekend and every other holiday. They were treating her like a bad mother and she knew she was far from it. Fred slid the papers in front of faith. She looked at them. Joint custody. This was ridiculous. She would settle for this for now, but then when they least expect it she would sue Fred for full custody.
"Let's go, Bosco." Faith said standing up and gathering her things. Fred looked a Faith.
"I'll drop them off at your place after school on Friday." He said. Faith looked at him.
"No. I'll pick them up from school." She said pulling Bosco to the door. "I'm so god damn pissed."
"We'll get their rooms set up and then the judge can see how good of a mother you are." He said leading her to the car. Faith gave a pitiful laugh.
"You're really going to do all this for me?" She asked.
"I will do everything but change diapers." Bosco said. Faith laughed getting into the car.
"Well, you missed that stage by about seven years." She smiled looking out the window. Fred stood by his car watching her. Shivers went down her spine. She loved that man once, but never again. She was with Bosco and she could hate Fred all she wants. Faith sighed deeply. Weekends and every other holiday. That was it.
* * *
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