Chapter 29

Ellen's POV

"Mom, are you sure you don't want me to come with you to court? I hate that you are going there to face Stephanie alone. Lord only knows what she will do when she finds out that we are keeping her house. Joe tells me that those men she works with are unhinged. I'd really like to go to protect you, Mom."

"Valerie, dear, it's okay. Richard assures me that there is nothing that can or will go wrong. I'll be fine, dear. Besides, we'll be in the middle of a courthouse with judges, bailiffs, and cops. So, everything will be okay."

"Alright, but please call me as soon as everything is over so I can go buy the new furniture for the girls' room."

I give Valerie a kiss on her cheek and grab my winter dress coat, scarf, gloves, and hat. I'm wearing a pair of flats since it snowed yesterday. I don't want to fall on the slippery sidewalks. My dress is the perfect demure dress for court, and I know that I will give an excellent impression to the judge, Carmine Boccia. I get in my Buick and drive to the courthouse. After parking, I head inside, placing my gloves, hat, and scarf in my oversized bag. One must not leave their items behind or lose them. I see Richard wearing a navy blue suit and white dress shirt with a matching tie. He looks so stunning and professional.

"Good morning, Ellen. I'm glad you got here okay. We are going to enter the courtroom. You will sit next to me like we discussed. The judge may call you to the stand. Typically, you won't have to testify or state anything other than your name. However, your ex-husband, Frank, and Stephanie will most likely have to take the stand to explain why they are keeping you from what is rightfully yours."

"You are sure that we will be leaving here with the house fully in my possession or with me getting bought out, correct?"

"Yes, I do. But don't worry, Mom, everything will work out in our favor."

I follow Richard into the courtroom and sit next to him. It seems that only the opposing attorney is there. She is wearing a high-end black skirt suit with a beautiful lavender silk blouse, and her hair is styled nicely. She has an expensive leather file bag and is wearing lovely, appropriate jewelry. A few minutes later, Frank and that harlot walk in with the man who was with her the first day we arrived. I don't understand why her boss goes everywhere with her. That is beyond unprofessional. This is a personal matter, not a business one. I see them greet the other attorney warmly, and they all look highly confident.

I'm actually a little surprised at what Stephanie is wearing. She has a deep purple pantsuit with a pink lace camisole and a pair of heels that match her suit perfectly. The clothes fit her like a glove, almost as if they were made for her body. Those are not off the rack nor a Macy's sale suit. She has her hair down, but instead of wild curls, they are freshly styled, as if she came from the salon. Her make-up is minimal and accentuates her eyes. Her boss is wearing what appears to be a custom-made black pinstripe suit with a light grey shirt and handsome silk tie with a pocket square. His shoes are so shiny that you can see your reflection in them. Frank is even wearing a well-tailored suit. How did they afford those clothes? Before I can ponder what I see, the bailiff calls the court to order. Soon, Frank is being questioned by the judge.

"Mr. Plum, did you give money to your daughter, Stephanie, to help her purchase her home."

"Yes, your honor. In fact, I purchased the home for Stephanie."

"Why did you purchase the home for her?"

"She had recently gone through a divorce, and her credit rating was in the tank. Her ex-husband left her with all their marital debt since she was the primary account holder of their credit cards. He even managed to put his student loans in her name."

"So, the house is owned by you."

"Technically."

"Where did you get the money to purchase the home."

"From the sale of my house in Chambersburg. It was sold as a condition of my divorce from my wife."

"Your honor, when Mr. Plum purchased the house in question, he was still married to my client. The divorce was not yet finalized, and Ms. Kearney never submitted any paperwork excluding that home from the joint assets."

"Is that true, Mr. Plum."

"Yes, it is partially true. I had signed the divorce papers, and we were waiting on Ellen to sign. Ms. Kearney informed me that she had sent paperwork over to Mr. Orr's office and that I was free to buy the house for Stephanie and that Ellen could not lay claim to the home."

"Ms. Kearney?" The judge asks.

"Yes, Your Honor?"

"Did you send a property agreement to Mrs. Ellen Plum to keep this home out of their marital assets?"

"Yes, Your Honor, I did. I sent it to Mr. Orr once my client informed me of his intention to purchase the home for his daughter. Unfortunately, Mr. Orr informed me that he was unable to get in touch with his client. After three weeks of noncommunication, I then applied for a court order and was granted one. I have the supporting documents here if you would like to see them."

"Bailiff."

The bailiff walked over to that woman and took the papers. What is she talking about? I don't remember Richard contacting me about this. I definitely would not have signed off. How can Frank go behind my back? What is going on with the legal system in this country? I watch as the judge carefully reviews the documents from Frank's attorney. Then, after a few minutes, he looks up at Richard.

"Mr. Orr, is there a reason why you didn't have your client sign these papers? This is standard procedure in a divorce proceeding, especially when a house is sold."

"Your Honor, I never received any documents or orders from Ms. Kearney."

"Mr. Orr, I suggest you think very carefully before you speak. You are treading on thin ice. I will ask one more time. Is there a reason why you didn't inform your client of these addendums or have her sign them?"

"As I said, I never received the documents from Ms. Kearney."

"Mr. Orr, I am holding you in contempt of court. Among these papers are signed receipts that your personal secretary received these documents and another letter from the same secretary stating that she gave the documents to you. You failed to inform your client that she would have no rights to any house purchased by Mr. Plum. In addition, you have wasted all of our time bring this matter to court when a simple search would have given you the court order stipulating that the home in question was not part of the marital assets of Mr. Frank Plum and Mrs. Ellen Plum, nee Mazur. Accordingly, I will be bringing disciplinary charges against you. Your days of practicing law in the state of New Jersey is numbered, Mr. Orr."

"Your Honor," Ms. Kearney states, "Ms. Plum respectfully would like to ask the court to order Ms. Mazur and Ms. Valerie Plum to vacate the home by January 15th. She has a buyer for the house, and the anticipated closing date is February 1st. "

"Mr. Orr?"

"My client will not be able to leave the property by such time. She and her daughter do not have adequate funds to purchase a home, and they anticipated having the home they are in."

"Ms. Plum has allowed her mother and sister to live in her home rent-free since they arrived. Her employer and boyfriend, Mr. Manoso, provided an SUV for Valerie Plum to use at her discretion at Ms. Plum's request. When Ellen and Valerie arrived, the pantry and refrigerator were fully stocked with the staples and freshly prepared meals for the first few days and a set of pots, pans, and cooking utensils. She left the house somewhat furnished for them, as she had moved into a new home and did not require most of her furniture. There should be no reason why Ms. Mazur and Ms. Valerie Plum cannot afford to pay rent for a home."

"Do you have any documentation?"

"Here are the receipts for the food that was purchased with a list of the meals left behind. In addition, my client has continued to pay the utilities, the mortgage, and the cable and phone bill, all of which has been higher than it was while my client lived in the home with her children."

The judge takes the papers and looks over them. Why do I think this is not going to go in my favor? How are Valerie and I supposed to move so quickly? Why me?

"I see everything is in order here. Ms. Plum, why did you put the house on the market?"

"Carlos and I started to date over the summer. It's a long story, but Carlos is the father of my twins. We had lost touch with each other and recently reconnected when I was employed by his company. I felt the house was getting too small, and if Carlos spent the night, he was forced to sleep on the couch. So, we decided to purchase a larger home together, which is where we now live."

"So that was before you knew about your mother and sister returning to Trenton?"

"Yes. The home was purchased over the summer."

"Ms. Mazur, do you have anything to add?"

I can't believe that little hussy wants to kick me out. Me! Her mother and her sister. How dare she. "There is no way that my daughter and I can find a place to live. We don't work and have a limited income."

"Well, I guess that means that either you or your daughter need to get a job so you can support yourselves and find a place to live. I will not hold up the house sale so you and your daughter can continue to do nothing. I assume that your daughter has no physical or mental disabilities?"

"No, Sir," I say indignantly."My Valerie is perfect."

"Then she should have no problem getting a job. You seem to be able-bodied as well. Perhaps you can find a job as well."

"But I'm a housewife."

"Madam, you will be a homeless housewife if you don't get a job. Therefore, I am ordering Ms. Ellen Mazur, Ms. Valerie Plum, and her two children to be out of the house by Friday, January 15th, 2010, at 5 pm. At that time. Ms. Stephanie Plum or Mr. Frank Plum may lock them out of the home if they so choose. Any items remaining in the home will be forfeited. Do I make myself clear, Ms. Mazur?"

"Y..y…yes, Your Honor."

"This court is now adjourned. However, Mr. Orr, I suggest you pass any other active cases you have to your associates because you will be suspended within twenty-four hours."

I watch as Stephanie and that thug shake her attorney's hand. The father of her children! What an embarrassment. And she's living with him in sin and with her children. Where did I go wrong? Oh, I better call Valerie. What are we going to do? Maybe we should ask Joseph for his help.

A few hours ago, I was at a loss of what to do, but now, all my problems will be taken care of. Alexander was always a good friend, and I knew I could count on him to assist me. By Christmas, Frank will no longer be a problem for Valerie or me. Life is finally good in Trenton.