Content Warning: Self-harm, abuse and divorce discussed in this chapter.
Chapter 7: Family No More
About a year passed. It was a very rough for the Afton Family. Clara's and William's different ways of grieving Elizabeth's death came to a head one day and a major argument occurred. Michael ran out of the house to go to a friend's house and CC went to his bedroom and locked the door. At the end of that argument William pushed Clara down and Clara told him that it was over. That argument was about a month ago.
Now William was sitting in his car holding a few documents. One of those said "Fault-based" and accused him of spousal abuse. William's lawyer told him that one could be fought but it would be grounds for Clara and her lawyer to go through with the divorce. William got out of the car and walked into a court building. When he got inside the bailiff stopped him to ask him a few questions.
"What is the date today," the bailiff asked.
"Why? Do you not know," was William's response.
"We just need to check a few things, sir. Please, the date," the officer insisted.
"December 13, 1982," William answered. He gritted his teeth as he said the date. It would be one that he would have trouble forgetting for the rest of his life.
"And your name," the bailiff questioned.
"William Afton, A-F-T-O-N. I am here for a divorce hearing," William said slowly.
"Okay, Mr. Afton. You can proceed." Without another word William walked past the officer and found his lawyer, a young man named Jeremy.
William knew that Jeremy did not have much experience in divorce court. Yet, he was the least expensive lawyer, and William did not have a lot of money to spend. He figured anyone would do. Clara could not even afford anyone so at least that put the advantage in William's court.
"You ready for this, Mr. Afton," Jeremy asked.
"I should be the one who asked you that question. You are the one who needs to do the talking, right," William asked.
"Yeah, that's right," Jeremy said as he opened the door. William and he walked in the room and sat at a table that was in front of the judge's bench. Clara was already there. When the judge came into the room, he grabbed a paper from the same bailiff who had just questioned William.
"All right. Let's see here. My name is Judge Wilson. I assume that you are Mrs. Afton," the judge said motioning to Clara. Clara shook her head to affirm this.
"And Mr. Afton," the judge asked.
"Yes, this is my client Mr. William Afton, sir," Jeremy answered for William.
After a lot of questions, it came time to talk about how to divide out what William and Clara had.
"It is my best judgement to divide 50-50. Is that okay with both parties," the judge asked.
"Sir, my client would like to push for custody of the children and ownership of the house," Jeremy said.
"On what grounds," Judge Wilson asked.
"We believe that Mrs. Afton is unfit to parent the 2 children, Michael Afton and CC Afton, your honor. The grounds for this are based on a history of self-harm on the part of Mrs. Afton. My client has revealed to me that before the marriage Mrs. Afton harmed herself on at least two separate times. We believe this is something that the court should consider," Jeremy said.
"Is this true," Judge Wilson asked Clara. Clara glared over to Jeremy and then returned her eyes to look at the table that was in front of her.
"Yes, your honor," Clara said after about 15 seconds of silence in the room. To Clara it felt more like 15 hours.
"The court will take that under consideration. Is there anything else," the judge wanted to know.
"No, your honor," Jeremy said.
"Okay, in that case, Mrs. Afton, I hope that you understand that I have to consider your history while I make the custody decision," Judge Wilson told Clara.
"I believe that it would be better if the kids go to William and he keeps the house," Clara said, almost in a tone that sounded like surrender.
"So, that is your desire, too," the judge questioned.
"It is what would be best for the children," Clara said with tears in her eyes, "I could not save my only daughter. I do not want to be responsible for any more of my children dying, your honor," Clara blamed herself.
"In that case, it is settled. To finalize the divorce, I give custody and ownership of the house to Mr. Afton. Is there anything else we need to finalize this today," Judge Wilson asked.
"My client does not have anything else, your honor," Jeremy said.
"I do not either," Clara said as a tear escaped her eye.
"Okay, then the case of Afton vs Afton is settled. The court will write up the papers and then you can be on your way," Judge Wilson said. He stood up and walked out of the room.
Shortly after, William was in his car and driving towards his house. He felt a strong sense of anger come over him. He did not want his marriage to end that way.
William could not help but to think about everything that had gone wrong in his life up to this point- the death of his mother at the hands of his father, the loss of his first business and the embarrassment of being bought out, Elizabeth's death, and now the divorce was another slap to his face.