The therapist’s report used to justify the restraining order was based on a single phone call, paid for by his wife’s brother.
No evaluation. No diagnosis.
Within a week, an emergency motion was filed.
Michael didn’t sleep before the hearing. Neither did I.
In court, his wife wouldn’t meet his eyes. Her parents sat confidently behind her.
They didn’t expect me.
Margaret introduced me not as a father, but as an investor. With records. With leverage.
The judge leaned forward.
By the time we left, the restraining order was lifted temporarily, visitation restored, and a forensic review ordered.
It wasn’t victory.
Weeks passed. Slowly. Forward.
The boys began to speak again. Small truths. How they learned which parking lots were safer. Which nights were quieter. How to tell when their dad was pretending.
Michael listened. He didn’t rush them. He didn’t minimize.
He wasn’t harder.
He was steadier. Continue reading…
