The Ex-Husband’s Reckoning – Ready to Make a Dash

Emily, youve ripped my nerves to shreds! she snapped, eyes flashing. Now you expect me to sign paperwork?

Exactly why I divorced you in the first place, David declared, arms folded. You never got me. Im fed up with your nerves. Im worried about the kids future!

The futures fine, love, Emily retorted. Especially since my mums coming with us!

Coverup, David muttered under his breath.

Again? Emily exclaimed. Im travelling for work! Im going to work! Can you even comprehend that?

I can, David nodded. And I also foresee you meeting some foreign bloke, marrying him, and staying there forever!

And Im not earning a fortune just to gallivant overseas and miss my children!

Yes, Im not planning to settle anywhere, Emily said, a nervous edge to her voice.

I dont buy it! I dont trust a single word you say, David raised his voice. Youre even taking Mum with you! Youve got nobody else, so youre basically scooping the whole family and shipping them off!

Dont try to tell me youd stay put if the chance came up, he continued. Im not about to lose my kids because of your personal life!

David, unlike you, the kids stayed with me after the divorce. We have three of them, if you havent forgotten.

Three kids and a market for single mothers, huh? Emily laughed. Im only travelling for work, but I cant forget the children. While Im away, my mum will whisk them around amusement parks, beaches, and any other fun spots they can find.

Your mum could enjoy the same things right here, David said with a forced smile. And you can go wherever you fancy.

David, cut the crap, Emily pleaded. The kids are on holiday, Ive got a job abroad and its peak season. Let them have a proper break and some quality time!

They havent any reason to relax yet, but they can certainly make the most of it at home, David replied. Im not about to lose my parental rights because of your overseas flirtations. I already fork over half my salary for their upkeep, so I have a right to be involved!

If its about money Emily began.

No! David shouted. Its not about money. I dont want to be stripped of my children!

So thats how you put it, then? Emily asked, tension in her tone.

Exactly! No other way! David confirmed. I wont give you permission to take the kids abroad.

Good thing I raised this now, Emily sighed. I knew it wouldnt go smoothly. Persuading you seems pointless, right?

Absolutely, David said smugly.

Tell me, do you have a new girlfriend? Emily asked.

What does that have to do with anything? David stammered.

Im asking as an exwife, answer me!

No, Im single, David replied. When half your salary disappears into a pension pot, you dont exactly have time for romance

The salary issue well sort later, Emily replied. And well even improve your financial standing!

What are you up to? David asked, wary.

Nothing. Weve got a court case coming. Youll file a petition to decide the childrens residence while Im on that overseas assignment. That means you wont have to pay child support, but youll get half my pay instead. Then the kids, just as you want, will stay in England with you!

Youre out of your mind, David muttered.

If you dont cooperate, Ill sue for loss of parental rights. Paying maintenance isnt a defence; not taking part in their upbringing already is. You havent visited them since the divorce three years ago.

David stood there, as clueless as a fish out of water.

But you could simply sign the export papers for the children, Emily said, smiling sweetly enough to make Davids stomach flip.

The kids will stay with me, David replied, sounding like a wooden doll.

Excellent! Ive got three months before I leave. Plenty of time to sort everything. And, as extra help, I can send my mum to stay with you.

Everyone could see that David and Emily were a mismatch. Their arguments were loud, their promises empty, their plans grandiose. Perhaps youthful optimism still lingered.

When they first married, neighbours wagered on when the divorce would arrive, shouting, How on earth do they manage to live together? Yet the couple managed to patch things up now and then, each giving a little, each bending a little. Parents hoped theyd eventually settle, nerves frayed at each scandal.

Emilys parents had gifted her a flat, which needed renovation and furnishings. The passionate reconciliations slowed the work to a crawl. Living in a halffinished house was funny but never comfortable. Then, when Emily fell pregnant, David showed his best side.

David, a handson labourer, finished the renovation two weeks before the babys birth. Emily, a designer at heart, wanted something different, but a newborn forced her to accept the result.

David could sweep cement, concrete, shavings, and fine grit with professional skill, but hed rather not mop a floor. Cleaning paint splatters or dust from clothes was no problem, yet loading the washing machine and hanging the laundry? Not a chance.

Cooking? He could manage, but the thought of it made him cringe.

Eventually they stood on the brink of divorcea ridiculous, almost theatrical edge they balanced for eleven years. Even skeptics had to admit a family like theirs could survive.

Two more children arrived during the marriage, confusing everyone further. The divorce became even messier.

David packed his things, wished everyone well, and disappeared for three years without a word. Their eldest daughter was eleven, the son seven, the youngest three, and he seemed to have erased them all at once. Only the occasional childsupport payment reminded anyone that David once existed.

Emilys firm then offered her a twomonth overseas assignment with dazzling terms: a fully furnished house, all expenses covered, and permission to bring the three children plus one companion.

Fastforward: Emily needed her exhusbands consent for the travel documents. David refused, forcing a quick legal scramble. A court hearing loomed, and anyone whod seen Davids parenting could almost enjoy a slapstick routine.

Naturally, Emily worried about leaving the kids with David for two months. If hed shown any postdivorce involvement, things would be smoother. But the kids werent infants anymore14yearold Lily was practically a minimum, and the boys, ten and six, understood more than a toddler.

David was told his former motherinlaw, Margaret, would help. In reality, Margaret was on a government advisory stint, armed with enough authority to make Davids life a circus if he didnt cooperate.

From the outside, David faced two easy months of decisions being made for him, plus occasional assistance. The children, after all, remain children.

When Emily returned to town after two months, she didnt rush to the kids or David; she phoned her mum to get the lowdown.

Hes lost about twenty kilos, Margaret reported. Dark circles under his eyes, looks like a panda. Hes nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. And he owes me thirty thousand pounds.

And the kids? Emily asked.

Theyre happy! They built a shed in three days. When Dad tried to protest, I stepped in, read him the law, and showed him what happens if he tries to buck the system.

Are theywellbehaved? Emily queried, a hint of worry.

Lily keeps them in line, even makes Dennis read! Margaret replied.

Good, that eases my mind.

Emily tried to keep her return under wraps, but a citywide hunt was announced for her. A week before she was due back, David set a frantic campaign in motion, offering ten thousand pounds to anyone who spotted Emily, hoping to retrieve the children.

She was handed over like unwanted glassware after a party.

David, having quit his job, stormed into the flat the moment Emily opened the door.

Give them back! he shouted.

Hold on! Emily retorted. Im only here for a week; my contract is for a year!

Dont lie! I saw you at work. They said you wouldnt be sent anywhere else. That was a oneoff trip! David snarled.

You actually visited my office? Emily was taken aback.

I spoke to the director myself, David boasted. So, hand them over! If you need to travel, Ill throw the paperwork in your face! I swear, just give them back!

David, youve got it all twisted! Emily giggled. We went to court, didnt we? Decided the children live with you, and I pay you maintenance! If I have to file again, Im swamped with work. Ill just keep the payments and pop by every fortnight, if you dont object!

David turned an ashen shade, started sweating, and looked ready to faint.

Youre the father of the year, you know, Emily snarled, but you never visited the kids for three years! Now you want them back?

Emily, love, please, David pleaded, Ill come every weekend! Just take them away. Theyve drained the life out of me!

Fine, Emily said, I lived like that already. No exhusband is going to help.

I swear Ill help, just get me rid of them!

David collapsed onto his knees, crawling toward her. Please.

The court drama that followed was a circus, the children ended up on the childservices radarNo more juggling children!but the assessment concluded the kids saw it as a bizarre adventure.

In the end, the children got a dad again. He wasnt perfect, but he tried. Years later, no bad memories of David lingered; he may never win Father of the Year, but he certainly gave it his best shot.