Cross Country Chaos

by Lesli Richardson

  It was ten twenty-five when Mart pulled into the courthouse parking lot. He recognized Sharon and Patty’s cars but didn’t see Kelly’s Element. Wheeling through security, he located the information desk to find out where Kelly’s hearing was. Maybe they were still there. He scanned the waiting area but didn’t see Sharon or Patty. Or Kelly, for that matter.

  The bailiff found the information. “Judge Donaldson’s chambers, room 115, down that hall.” The bailiff pointed across the large commons waiting area.

  Mart thanked him and sped in the direction he’d pointed.

  He was about to make the turn into the corridor when David appeared in front of him. Mart slid to a stop to prevent a collision.

  Well, at least he was in the right place.

  David glared at him. “Get the fuck out of my way, crip.”

  “What did you call me?”

  David threw his papers to the floor and lunged at Mart. “You heard me,” he snarled. “I’m losing my boys because of you!”

  Mart was unprepared for David’s attack. The force of David’s charge knocked him backwards out of his wheelchair. Then David was on top of him, his hands around Mart’s throat, arms pinned. Mart head-butted David, nailing him in the nose, but at least David let go of Mart’s throat so he could breathe.

  David howled in pain and grabbed his face. By this time, there were other people yelling, trying to get someone to break it up.

  Mart managed to push David off. David lunged again, but this time, Mart was ready. Mart slugged him, landing several hard punches with satisfying accuracy before David’s hands closed around his throat again.

  * * * *

  Michelle looked up at the sounds of yelling in the waiting area. “What the hell is that?”

  Sharon was closest to the door and stepped over to look. “Oh my God! I think it’s David and Mart!”

  “What?” Kelly climbed over Patty to get out of the booth and pushed through the crush of spectators gathering at the doorway. Her ex-husband loomed over Mart, choking him.

  “No!” Kelly screamed and sprinted across the commons.

  Several bailiffs and deputies were peeling David off of Mart. Kelly pushed through the crowd and dropped to her knees next to Mart. He was coughing, trying to sit up. Shocked, Kelly pulled him to her, examining him for injuries.

  “Are you okay?”

  Mart coughed again and nodded. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me about the hearing?”

  She threw her arms around him and sobbed. He held her, trying to soothe her. “It’s okay, Kel, I’m here.”

  Two deputies and a bailiff pinned David to the floor, where he still ranted and screamed. Other deputies handcuffed him and dragged him away. Kelly cried in Mart’s arms, and it was a few minutes before she was steady enough to stand so he could get back in his chair.

  There were statements to give, reports to file. Mart pressed charges. Deputies interviewed Mart, and he refused to go to the hospital, wanting everything over quickly so he could get back to Kelly. At least ten people had witnessed David’s attack and heard what he said to Mart. There was no doubt as to who was at fault.

  “We’ll file a TRO against him,” Michelle said, walking back to Kelly from where she’d sat with Mart while the deputies took his statement. “I don’t think we’ll have any problems at the next hearing.”

  It took them over an hour to get out of the courthouse. Michelle told Kelly to keep her phone handy for updates. Mart and Kelly got in his van, and he stared at her, waiting for her to speak.

  Kelly couldn’t stand his silent, intense gaze. “What?”

  She expected him to yell, but his voice sounded quiet, gentle.

  Sad.

  “Why didn’t you call me, Kel? Why didn’t you tell me about this as soon as he served you? You should have been on the phone saying, ‘Mart, come home.’” She flinched when he slammed his hand against the steering wheel.

  “I didn’t want you getting in trouble. You couldn’t have done anything.”

  “Jesus, Kel.” He closed his eyes and rubbed his face with his hands, buying himself time before speaking. “I’m going to be your husband. And the people I work for, they know if I take time off for an emergency, it’s important. You can’t keep stuff like this from me. You have to let me in.”

  “Why didn’t you call me back?”

  “My phone died because I forgot to charge it Wednesday night, and I was stuck in airports trying to get here. I couldn’t get a direct flight out of LAX. I had to go through Dallas, and that was delayed. Then they put me through Raleigh-Durham, and that was late, too. I’m sorry. I tried to get here for you.”

  She took his right hand. His knuckles were raw and bruised from where he’d punched David. “How did you find out?”

  “You can’t get mad.”

  She closed her eyes. “Mom or Patty?”

  “Paulie.”

  “What?”

  “Sharon gave him her phone. He tried to call me from school. Sharon was afraid you’d be upset if she called me.”

  Kelly shook her head and rested it against the back of the seat. “I’m mad at myself.”

  “You cannot close me out like this.”

  “Are you mad?”

  “Yeah, I am. But not at you. I’m mad that you didn’t think you could call me.” He touched her cheek, and she finally opened her eyes. He looked like hell. David hadn’t landed any punches, but Mart’s shirt was ripped, and he had a scratch on his cheek. He’d probably have bruises on his neck by tomorrow. And he needed a shave.

  “Even worse, I’m disappointed that you didn’t think you could tell me. I thought I’d proved you can trust me.”

  Of all the words he could have chosen, that one cut her deepest.

  Disappointed.

  His anger—even rage—she’d expected, and could have easily taken and rebuffed.

  But worse, she’d disappointed him.

  She cried again as he held her. “It’s okay, babe. Don’t you understand? I love you so much, and those boys are my sons, too. What happens with them affects me as much as it does you.”

  She sobbed harder, feeling guilty. When she sat back, he handed her a tissue.

  “You okay?”

  She nodded.

  “Now,” he took her hand, “tell me what happened.” She related the events. He smiled. “You won. That’s a good thing.”

  She shrugged. “The boys don’t win.”

  “That’s not your fault. That’s David’s problem. He shouldn’t have been an asshole.” Mart brushed the hair out of her eyes. “I think we both know it’s time you talk to someone.”

  Kelly realized what he meant. “I don’t want to see a shrink.”

  “Kelly.” His tone sounded firm. She knew he’d hold his ground. “This is obviously a problem. This isn’t good for you, putting yourself through this. It’s not good for us. David cannot use it against you. Especially now. I’ll make some calls and find someone.”

  She shook her head. “No. It’ll go on his insurance—”

  Mart forced her to look at him. “I’m paying for it. And we’ll be married soon, so you’ll be on my insurance, and it’ll be covered. I want you to heal. For the boys, for yourself—for us.”

  She studied his eyes. “Okay,” she whispered. “If you want me to.”

  He managed a smile. “Yes, I do.” He sat back and squeezed her hand. “Let’s go to your house. I’ll get a shower and some sleep and take you out to dinner, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Sharon and Patty were already at Kelly’s when they returned. Kelly brought Mart’s suitcase into her bedroom and tidied Denny’s bathroom so he could take a shower. While he did that, she fixed him a sandwich, and the other two women sat at the table and watched her without speaking.

  Kelly looked at them and slammed the jar of mayo on the table. “Just say it. Get it over with.”

  Patty spoke first. “Are you done trying to shut him out?”

  Kelly nodded, fightin
g her tears.

  “Good. He loves you. Any guy who’d go through hell like he did to get here is worth keeping in the loop.” She stood and hugged Kelly. “Call me when you hear something.”

  Patty left. Sharon stared at Kelly. “Do the boys have swim practice today?”

  “Oh, God, yes. I forgot.”

  “I’ll take them. Why don’t I keep them at my house tonight? I think you and Mart need some time alone.”

  Kelly nodded. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll go pack their bags.”

  Kelly cleaned up the kitchen and took the sandwich and a glass of juice to her bedroom. Mart was finished with his shower and sitting in his chair, wearing a pair of shorts, a towel around his shoulders, his hair damp. He’d shaved and looked a lot better but still exhausted.

  “I made you lunch.”

  “Thank you.” He crooked his finger at her. She put the plate and glass on her dresser and went to him, closing her eyes and enjoying the feel of his arms around her. He didn’t speak, just held her. Eventually she kissed him, stood, and handed him his lunch. She pulled the covers down and stretched out on the bed, still dressed, and tuned the TV to a news channel. She could use a nap herself.

  Mart ate in silence, watching her. When he’d finished, he got into bed and pulled her to him, holding her until they both fell asleep.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Mart was still asleep when Kelly woke. He was fighting for her, wanted to be there for her. Why was she so stubbornly trying to keep him out?

  Not wanting to wake him, she carefully got out of bed and closed the bedroom door. Her mom was gone, had left a note on the table that she had the boys. It was a miracle she’d managed to keep them quiet enough to not disturb them.

  Kelly looked at her phone. No calls. She called Michelle.

  “He’s going to bond out, most likely. But I have the TRO filed, and the hearing is set for Monday at eight. Considering the circumstances, there won’t be any problems. And I sent David’s sweet pea a subpoena.”

  “Okay.”

  “How are the boys?”

  “Mom has them. She took them to swimming and then her house. They’ll spend the night there.”

  “How’s Mart?”

  “Still asleep. He didn’t get any sleep last night.” When she explained his journey to get home, Michelle whistled.

  “Impressive. Kelly, hold onto him. He’s special. And Patty’s right, he’s a cutie.”

  Kelly smiled. “Keep your hands off him. He’s mine.”

  “Hey, no law says we can’t look. I’ll see you Monday at seven at the courthouse, in the snack bar. Bring Mart. I might need his testimony. I’ll have my secretary drop copies of the temporary restraining order by your house tonight on her way home, she lives near you. If Asswipe shows up, call 911 and have him arrested.”

  “But he’s still in jail?”

  “For the time being, yes, but not for long. He’ll have to get an attorney for this. He can’t pro se his way out of it.”

  “Thanks, Michelle.”

  “Any time.”

  Kelly hung up and sat at the table, her head in her hands. This was too much. This was something out of a novel. If she got through it with her sanity intact, maybe she would write about it. Didn’t they always say to write what you know?

  Would that make her legal expenses tax deductible?

  Finally, something she could laugh about.

  It was nearly four when she heard Mart stir. He looked at her when she opened the bedroom door.

  “Hey, you,” he said.

  She sat on the edge of the bed. “Hey, yourself.”

  He took her hand, kissed it, didn’t let go. “Are we going to have a talk?”

  “I thought we already did.”

  He stared at her. She looked at the floor, sighed, and curled up next to him in bed.

  “Kel, why didn’t you tell me what happened?”

  “Because I was afraid.”

  “Of me?”

  She shook her head. “That David was right. That I couldn’t make it on my own.” Then it spilled out. The fear, the struggle, the years of not wanting to rely on anyone because she couldn’t depend on others, hating to take charity. Above all else, wanting to prove David wrong, that she could make it on her own without help.

  She sobbed against Mart. He held her, whispering to her, “Kelly, it’s okay. You did prove him wrong. You have two great kids, and you have been making it. It’s okay.”

  He stroked her hair, murmuring to her, trying to soothe her. Eventually she calmed and rolled away from him. “I’m sorry you’re missing work because of me.”

  “One, don’t apologize. It’s no big deal, seriously. Two, it’s not your fault. You didn’t cause this. Quit trying to take on blame that’s not yours to take. And three, I know your first husband sucked in this department, but it’s my job to be there for you. Stop trying to take my job away from me.”

  At that, she smiled, and he tilted her chin so he could look in her eyes. “There’s my beautiful girl.”

  “Why do you put up with me?”

  “There’s nothing to ‘put up’ with, sweetheart. I love you. When two people love each other, this is what they do, they support each other, they help out, they are there. Yin and yang and all that.” He studied her face. “Let me in, Kel. That’s all I’m asking. I can’t be there for you if you won’t let me.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He pulled her to him. “Don’t apologize. Just quit shutting me out. This is why you’re going to talk to someone. Okay?”

  She nodded. “Okay.”

  “And Patty was right,” he said. “This is one time I am more than happy to play the crip card.”

  She looked at him, surprised. “What?”

  “Kel, I’ve hated David since before I met him. I’d do anything to help you keep the boys safe.”

  She hugged him. “I’m glad you put up with me.”

  “For the last time, there’s nothing to put up with. I love you.” He kissed her. “Where are we going to dinner?”

  “Can we stay here?”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. I’d rather stay here. If you don’t mind leftovers.”

  He smiled. “As long as I’m with you.”

  Sharon brought the boys home Saturday afternoon. Mart stayed at Kelly’s, fearing David might retaliate. They didn’t tell the boys about the attack, only that Kelly had David’s motions overturned and that the boys didn’t have to visit their father.

  Kelly let Mart play entertainment director, keeping the boys busy all afternoon. Fortunately, they had sled hockey practice Sunday morning, and Mart scored them tickets to the Lightning game that afternoon.

  Michelle called Kelly during sled hockey practice, while she was watching “her boys” on the ice.

  “How you doing, Kel?”

  “I’m okay. We’re up in Tampa, at sled hockey.”

  “Good. Stay distracted. You ready for tomorrow?”

  She watched Denny slap a puck at Mart. He dove for it, tipped sideways, and quickly righted himself. “Yeah, Mart’s bringing me.”

  “Get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Thanks, Michelle.”

  Kelly hung up and watched them on the ice. This wasn’t the way she wanted to build her family. She’d never wanted to take the boys away from David, but there was no denying he was out of control. She couldn’t risk the boys’ safety.

  Kelly winced when Denny tipped over. Paulie skated over to him, but Mart held out his hand for him to wait. In a few seconds, Denny righted himself and raced after the puck.

  * * * *

  Sharon arrived at six Monday morning and hugged Mart. “I love you, mister.”

  Kelly’s jaw dropped. “Mom!”

  “Well, I do.” She turned to Kelly. “Dammit, look what he went through for you, you stubborn thing.”

  Mart smirked at Kelly from behind Sharon. Kelly laughed. “Yes, all right, I’m a doof. I ge
t it.”

  Sharon hugged Kelly. “No, you’re not a doof. But if you screw things up with Mart, I’m liable to take his side,” she teased.

  “Gee, thanks.”

  “I would think you’d be happy I love your fiancé.”

  “It takes some getting used to.”

  They met Michelle in the courthouse snack bar at seven and went through the paperwork. Patty came as a character witness, and they spotted Beatrice in the waiting area at twenty minutes till eight.

  No sign of David.

  Mart and Patty had to wait in the judge’s ante-chamber with Beatrice. David showed up at five till, without an attorney, and the extra deputy on duty to prevent trouble escorted him into the chambers.

  The judge was not happy. “Mr. Alexander, I understand there was an altercation after Friday’s hearing?”

  Mart’s punches had left David with a large shiner on his left eye and a split upper lip. It was a struggle, but Kelly managed to suppress her satisfied smirk.

  “Yes,” David mumbled.

  “Mind telling me what the hell happened?”

  David shrugged. He looked down and didn’t respond.

  “Mr. Alexander. Did you not hear me, or did you not understand the question?”

  “I don’t want to lose my boys.”

  The judge shook his head. “That sure as hell wasn’t the way to go about it.” He turned to Michelle. “Counselor?”

  Michelle told the story, then produced the restraining orders and police reports, and their modified petition for full custody with phone visitation only.

  “My client is willing to stipulate to a temporary order,” Michelle continued, “revisiting the matter in six months. Provided Mr. Alexander gets into treatment for his alcoholism and into an ongoing anger management course. That’s in addition to ongoing psychological counseling, and that he shows dramatic improvement in his behavior in that time.”

  Judge Donaldson looked at David. “Well, Mr. Alexander? Are you willing to agree to this?”

  David looked down. “Yes, sir.”

  The judge watched him for a moment and shook his head. “So ordered. Counselor, are you preparing the order?”

  Michelle handed it to him. “Done, your Honor.”