COURT DATE WEEK

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind.  I get the TRO, Tracy is escorted out of the house, I get back in, days later I have a full weekend mediation training, and the next weekend I spend the whole weekend packing Tracy's belongings.  Barely a chance to breathe.

This week I got a chance to see the movie Inside/Out with my friend Herbert.  I was excited to see a funny movie.  It was so cute.  I liked anger!

But this week is court date week.  I have to get my head around seeing Tracy after three weeks of only seeing her from a distance.  I have to get my paperwork in order and that has proved to be a challenge.  One piece I have to get is the police report.  The responding officer told me to go to X police station to get a print out.  I went there and they told me to go to Y station to get it.  I went to Y station and they told me to go to Z office to get it.  I was exhausted and frustrated.  Who does this to a person who has just gone through a trauma?  It is ridiculous.  I get to Z and they tell me it will take 10 days and I have to fax in my request.  I have court in 4 days.  I told them I have been sent all over town.  They said they could not make an exception for me.  I sat in their office and cried.  The morning before court I got a phone call from a very nice lady who told me the report was printed and ready for me to pick up.  I cried again from relief.

The day before court I took the dogs for a walk after dinner like normal.  We were going around the block when we turned the corner and there was Tracy 1/2 way down the block.  She saw me and said 'Oh, shit".  I saw her and immediately turned the dogs around.  Or at least tried to.  Poor Bubba wanted to go to her and would not turn around.  I had to practically pull her around the corner.  Tracy started yelling at me.  Telling me I ruined her life and broke her heart.  Screaming up the street.  Coming closer and closer.  I am trying to get the dogs to move up the street but you know dogs, they never go where you want them to go.  Tracy is completely oblivious to the dogs wanting her.  Meanwhile I am trying to get out my phone to call the police since she is violating the restraining order.  I tell her that she is violating the restraining order and that she needs to be 100 yards away from me.  She says she is going to work and I can't stop her from going where she wants to go.  I tell her again that she needs to stay 100 yards away or I will call the police.  I turn to deal with the dogs and she is gone.

I take a breath and call my attorney. She tells me that I need to call the police and make a report even if Tracy is gone.  Each report will add up if she violates too many times.  I call the police and make a report.  The dispatcher tells me to go home and if I see Tracy again, to call back immediately and they will send a police car immediately.  I took the dogs around another way and then back home.  That night I had a panic attack.  Tomorrow is court day.

more to come...