#my mom has court on Monday

[cybervom1t]

also sorry if i’ve been kinda distant i’ve been dealing with beaucoup family shit and i’m trying hard not to shut down but that’s the only coping mechanism i know lmaoooo

[duskythesomething]

i wanna keep doing research for shelves and tanks and shit but if i end up having to pay almost 400$ in stupid ass debt that isn't mine and THEN sue the stupid bastard in small claims court then i won't be able to afford any of it rn anyways and i'm just so arghhgh

[cuntylittlesalmon]

oh this is so annoying

[beardedmrbean]

A Los Angeles socialite who killed two young boys after hitting them with her car was sentenced to 15 to life in prison for her crimes.

The sentence came after Rebecca Grossman made a plea for the judge to “consider her suffering” as he handed down the sentence.

Grossman, 60, said she was “not a murderer” and said the pain she has caused her family and the family of the two dead youngsters were “punishments I already endure.”

She was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Mark Iskander, 11, and his brother Jacob Iskander, 8, after a six-week trial. She learned her prison fate during a Monday court hearing.

Grossman was engaged in a “high-speed game of chicken” with her lover, former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson. The pair had been drinking cocktails at a nearby bar prior to the incident.

“I am not a murderer, and I ask you to recognize that true fact,” Grossman wrote in a letter to Superior Court Judge Joseph Brandolino, obtained by The New York Post.

“My pain, my recognition of the pain the Iskanders suffer, and the pain I watch my family endure, are punishments that I already suffer and will for the rest of my life. Please consider this suffering when you consider what more punishment to impose on me in this case.”

Her lawyers have argued she should be let off with probation.

“I can only imagine the pain that (the boys’ parents) Nancy and Karim Iskander feel minute by minute,” Grossman wrote. “I will carry my pain for the rest of my life.”

The socialite also sent a bizarre letter to the Iskanders, obtained by the Daily Mail, in which she said she would have driven her car “into a tree” if she’d had the chance, to avoid the tragedy.

Despite her claims, the boy’s mom Nancy Iskander said the socialite had treated her family as “the number one enemy in the world,” having fought to delay the sentencing multiple times.

According to Iskander, the socialite had used multiple “strategies” including creating conflicts of interest to delay the hearing, which was originally scheduled for April 10.

“The issue became that every time we try and move on and move on to that next step, the legal system or Ms Grossman, or both, take us back into the fight, back to the fight for justice,” Ms Iskander said, speaking to Fox News Digital last month.

“It’s horrific to say the least. She has not expressed remorse but more importantly, she has not even shown mercy… I felt that she had many opportunities to show mercy, plead guilty or figure out a way to just shorten the process of the fight, and not having to take me back again and again into that courtroom.

“But she didn’t. She’s had many opportunities to show mercy and she did not show any mercy on my family, in fact, she only shows hate... as if we’re as if we’re number one enemy in the world.”

[lemonmaid]

Yea “I’m not okay” felt like a punch to the gut let mama suguru have his miracle baby please he has enough trauma 🙏😭😪☝🏼

I was NOT in a good headspace for that, I almost ended with Suguru getting a lobotomy. Honestly, I wouldn't mind written a small wip for the non-canon ending for "I am Not okay."

It will be okay

Warnings: male pregnancy, omegaverse, angst, family law/divorce court

A year ago today, Suguru had his breakdown.

A year ago today Suguru and Satoru had a fight, which led them where they are today. Separated but coparenting.

Suguru learned a lot in a year.

Like how it wasn't his fault for the accident, therapy helped him with that.

And it wasn't his fault that he couldn't have a baby. It was Satoru's. Four months after separating, Suguru finally found the courage to go to an OBGYN. He learned that he was fertile, so when he spoke to Satoru while at pick-up. He learned that Satoru had a vasectomy and had been lying to him for y e a r s.

Suguru filed for divorce/bond breaking, but Satoru refused to sign the papers, which led to a long court case of Satoru saying that "Suguru is mentally unwell blah blah blah". Suguru pledged to never ever forgive Satoru for the gaslighting, even if Satoru swears he never had ill intention. The damage is done. His omega literally can not stand the scent Satoru leaves on the kids.

'This is bullshit' .

Suguru was waiting for Satoru at their agreed pick-up spot; trying to keep four pups busy while they wait for their sire to come get them.

"Mom, I don't wanna go" Nanako mumbled.

Suguru had Megumi laying on his chest, scentinh the pup before he leaves, "I know sweatie, it's just for the weekend remember? Then you'll be home Monday. Why don't you go play on the playground?"

Mimiko picked at her fingers, "Dammy, why can't you come home with us?".

Suguru took a deep breath, "Because that's Daddy's home, mommas home is over here now".

Megumi whined, pushing his face deeper into Suguru’s scent gland.

"Hey pups!".

All three pups whined and groaned before latching to Suguru’s side.

"Where's Tsumiki?" Satoru asked.

"She wanted to sleepover at her friends this weekend".

Satoru hummed, "wow already breaking custody agreement-".

Suguru felt his heart dropped, "you know damn well-".

Satoru "hey hey now, not in front of the pups. Anyways, let's go everyone!".

Satoru tried to pull Megumi away from Suguru’s hold. Megumi refused to budge, holding a tight grip on Suguru.

"No!".

Suguru tried to pull Megumi away, "now megs-".

"No! No! No!". Megumi was crying, his grip was locked on Suguru.

"Megs you have to go to your sires-".

"No!".

Satoru huffed, "wow thanks Suguru, I wonder where he learned this now".

Suguru looked at Satoru with wide eyes, "Satoru stop it right now".

☆

"I feel awful".

The sound of the clock ticking and Suguru panicked mumbling was in the room.

"Do you understand why you feel awful?".

Court mandated therapist.

Suguru's lawyer said it would look good on his side to show "improvement" to his mental health and that he was "fit to raise children".

"Gosh, Uraume, you should've seen the way he looked at me when Satoru finally grabbed him. Betrayed... how can he... Jesus... he was already abandoned by his original dam and sire and for Satoru to take him away from my arms... I makes me sick".

Uraume hummed, "you do care about them".

Suguru scoffed, "why wouldn't I? I'm their mother or dam.... they're mine..".

Uraume shuffled to their desk, "I ment to grab this last session". Slipping a paper to Suguru’s chair.

"A flyer to a speed mating? Uraume I'm not-".

"I know. But there will be a lot of single parents.... a lot of them just go for a basic support group aspect, not the dating or mating part".

☆

'This is ridiculous'

Suguru standard in front of a run-down jazz club, or what remains of said structure.

"I think it would be good for you to make connections to those who have been in your shoes, family law is.... a bitch if you'd say".

Suguru rolled his eyes, recounting Uraume's "words of thought". Sighing, Suguru made the decision to walk inside.

Surprisingly, there were a lot of people, soft jazz music was playing in the background, the lights were dimmed. In the front of the door was a table with a name tags, a scent patch and an option red or green wrist bracelet.

A sign that red, 'Red for not looking for a relationship. Green for looking for a relationship'. Suguru could almost smile at the courteous display.

Suguru walked around the small club, grabbing a champagne glass before sitting at a table and watching everyone mingle.

"Do you come here often?".

Suguru's eye widen, the last person he expected to see at speeding mating night, "Nice to see you Sukuna, how's Yuuji?".

Sukuna rolled his eyes, "the little shit can not stop talking about megumi and the sleepover he had the other night".

Suguru smiled, "Well I hope he had a great time".

"You were there?" Sukuna adjusted himself in his seat and pulled out the menu from the corner of the table.

"No. Me and- well, I am trying to separate from Gojo".

Sukuna huffed, "If I knew that I wouldn't have sent Yuuji over there, kinda don't trust pups without a dam or an omega in the house." Snaping his hand a waiter, bringing attention towards the table.

"Do you want anything?"

Suguru hummed, "nothing sweet".

Sukuna smirked, "gotcha babe".

Suguru smiled, taking a sip from his champagne glass, "I would have never thought you'd be the type for a speed mating."

Sukuna smirked before lifting up his wrist, showing the red bracelet, "I come for the support group of it babe".

Suguru smiled, lifting up his wrist, "I guess we had the same idea".

"I guess we did."

The night was going smoothly. Nothing too outrageous that stood out, just two adults enjoying a night of drinking. After the event was done, Sukuna decided to walk Suguru home

Sukuna laughed, "Wow, it sounds like the girls were hard work".

"No kidding, when they first started talking, I swear their first word was 'mine'. Trying to get those two to share made it seem like mission impossible".

Sukuna hummed, "it sounds like you really love those kids".

Suguru smiled at Sukuna before letting out a relaxed sigh, "Yeah.. they are mine".

There was a good quiet pause, not awkward, but quiet, before Sukuna would interrupt the moment, "Can I ask why you and Gojo-".

Suguru rolled his eyes before taking a sip of his drink, "fucker made me believe I couldn't have kids, when in reality, he got a vasectomy without telling anyone".

Sukuna stopped his tracks, mouth agaped, "You're kidding."

"Nope, wish I was".

Now, there was an awkward pause, but instead, it was with a small tone of aggression or disbelief in a way.

"I would offer to be a sperm donor-" Sukuna joked to lighten up the mood.

Suguru laughed before shoving the male.

"But! At least I'm masculine enough to admit that I got my knot tied as soon as possible." Sukuna stopped, "I'm sorry, you didn't deserve that."

"I know, now if that fucker could sign the papers to legally break the bond I could finally feel... free.. in a way. Not in a way to say Gojo was abusive-".

Sukuna stopped the both of them before resting his hands on Suguru’s shoulders, "No, it's fine, I understand."

Suguru raised an eyebrow, "Sukuna, you may be intoxicated, but why are you... being..".

"You remind me a lot of my dam." He quickly stated.

Maybe that's all Suguru needed to hear.

When they arrived at Suguru’s place, Suguru made the decision to let a tipsy Sukuna stay over until the morning.

Sukuna watched as Suguru pulled out the mattress from the couch, grabbing a clean liner and blankets for the alpha.

"Do you have a lawyer?".

"Yeah-"

"A good one? What's the deal?"

Suguru stopped and looked at Sukuna before rubbing his forehead as a stress response, "The only way Gojo is going to break the bond, which he knows I won't understand the circumstances given, I break the bond but that means no custody of any of the pups, no contact. Intensionally, his side is trying to paint me as a "bad dam" for a miscommunication."

Sukauna thought for a moment before pulling out his phone.

"What are you doing".

"Calling my sire's family lawyer. Sounds like classic defamation. "

"Sukuna you don't have to-".

"I can, and I will."

"Why?".

Sukuna took a deep breath, "You really remind me a lot of my Dam."

A/N

04/03 fuck it we making it a series.

Probably one last part which I will continue when I get back from vacation, I have so many drafts.

I can't decide if I want this to include a reader or not, whether it be child reader! Or Suguru just ends up with reader. But also accidentally leaned on Suguru x Sukuna. Accidental, ran out of people.

Ending was kinda rushed that's my bad. Let me know what yall think.

[spicyclover]

Ultimatum | Part four

Summary: You give Charles an ultimatum. His apartment or you.  

Part one | Part two | Part three | Part four | Part five

Hope you’ll enjoy this part. Let me know in the comments section! And to support me by tipping me!

Little information, I will, for now, only post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Thank you, and Enjoy! :)

Lots of love, xxx Spicy Clover

WARNING: All the information in this text is pure fiction, and the names and addresses are strictly fictive. I’m not a lawyer also, so I’m sorry if the procedure isn’t exact or conventional. Please bear with me.

It was only on the morning of Christmas Eve, the 24th, that you received a notification from your lawyer.

You opened your email, and what you saw left you speechless. 

Y/n Y/L/N

24 Av. de la Costa

Monte-Carlo, Monaco, 98000

December 24th 2022

To the honourable avocat 

Mr.Charles Leclerc applies for full custody of the child he made with Y/n Y/L/N. At the child's birth, he applied for full custody due to the unstable actions of the named companion. He asks for a no permission for the mother to have contact with the child once it is born. This motion is under inspection by Judge Carpinelli. He asks the child's mother to report to the court of Monaco for a session on 24 January. Meanwhile, a request to contact the doctor in charge of the pregnancy and in progress. Mr. Charles Leclerc also requests access to the accused's address to obtain the necessary documents for this procedure. Given the information above, my client is asking the court to order the child to live with him full-time without authorized contact with the mother. He also requests compensation for the emotional damage your client put him through. 

Sincerely  Lawyer Felipe Rossi.  

“What the fuck?” You gasp, trying to understand what's in front of you. 

You read the email several times before you understand what it means. He wants to take away your parental rights. “How can he do that?” The little device that control your level of stress starts going on. 

“Honey, what’s going on?” Question your mother worried about your sudden change of mood and the biping starting.

You don’t have the strength to speak and give her your laptop. She takes several minutes to process what she’s reading. “How could he do that?”

“He’s asking for full custody.” She mumbles under her breath. 

“He can’t do that.” Your voice breaks, trying to make sense of this whole situation. 

You didn’t think it would go that far. You suddenly feel betrayed and out of control. All your choices come back to you and all the conversations you’ve had with him, too.

“Well, apparently, he can.” Your mother adds given her husband the computer for him to read. “Since you refuse to let him be the father.”

“I do not deny that he is the father; I just don’t want to be around him right now.”

“Will you let him be around when the baby is born?” Ask your mother. 

“I... I don’t know. He hurts me, mom.” You burst into tears. 

“I know. But he’s powerful, and he has a lot of contacts.”

“Oh, my god...” This situation is going out of control, and your breathing quickens. This whole thing is starting to become a nightmare, and you didn’t think he was capable of that much cruelty.

A panic attack invades you, and you start to hyperventilate, unable to calm down. You begin to get dizzy, and your parents try to help you, at least they can, but impossible. How can he do that to you? After all, he did. He’s the one who slept with that girl. He’s the one who didn’t listen to you. He’s the one who didn’t want your comfort. He’s... he’s... horrible.

You start walking like a lion in a cage, your breathing gets overwhelmed, and you faint. The bipping going crazy. 

Charles can’t believe what he just did. All his dark thoughts and those around him encourage him to take up this voice. He knows it’s wrong, and he’s the wrong one. Why is he doing this? He doesn’t even know himself. Everyone’s rocking in his head, and he can’t back down.

The letter was sent, and his lawyer was notified. A sense of shame takes hold, and he can’t even look at himself in the mirror in his lawyer’s waiting room.

You wake up an hour later and calm down. Your thoughts gather, and you manage to sort without being overwhelmed. You gradually regain control of yourself. You feel your little girl agitating in your belly and caressing it distractedly. Feeling her close to you reassures you.

You find yourself alone in your room looking out the window at the seagulls flying. The sound of the ocean soothes you and you feel your tension return. The little bip machine the doctor gave you on your last visit to control your stress is slowing down again. The bip stops and you go downstair. 

You decided to call him on your mother's cellphone.

“Hello?” You hear his voice for the first time in weeks, and tear fills your eyes. “Hello? Who’s this?”

“Charlie...?”

“Y/n? It’s you?”

“Charlie, why do you do this to us?”

“Mon Dieu, babe, where are you? Are you okay?”

“Why do you keep doing this to us?” You cry on the phone, unable to breathe correctly and you device going on again. 

“Amour, where are you? Are you alone? What’s that bip? Are you in danger?” He asks panicking a little. 

“You hurt me, and I have to pay the consequence. You can’t do that to me.”

“Y/n, you took my child with you.”

“She’s still in me, you idiot. Of course, she has to go where I go.” You snap, getting frustrated by him. 

“Hey, you’re the one who disappeared, not me. I did not leave in the middle of the night without any warning or information.” He yells through the phone, frustrated to not have you with him. 

“You’re the one who jeopardizes our relationship, sleeping with other girls, humiliating me in front of everybody and screaming at me in the middle of the fucking street. And I’m the one who’s making mistakes here? You’re insane.” You scream back, your mother forcing you to seat down. 

“Fuck, you don’t realize how worried I am when I discover you were gone, and none of your friends didn’t know where you were either. You just disappear, and then you text my assistant a week before Christmas and not even me.” 

“Do you think it’s easy for me to deal with all of this alone?”

“Hey! You’re the one who left.”

“Because I’m mad at you. Not because I stop loving you.” You says calming down again. 

“You...”

“I love you. I love everything about you, Charles. But you keep hurting me and making mistakes that force me to band my moral to go around it. What happened with that girl? Was she worth jeopardizing our relationship? I’m so mad and in pain. You put me there, and now you don’t want me to be around my child, the one I’m carrying. The one you didn’t want at the beginning of all this. You can’t do this to me. Not after everything you did.”

“I...”

“I don’t want to talk anymore. I'll see you on the 24th.” You hang up the phone tossing it across the room. You apologize to your mother realizing you just destroy her phone, but she just shush you out of the room to your bedroom to get some rest. Real rest. 

You cried for hours this afternoon, trying to figure everything out. After the tears came depression, and then, and only after that, came the anger. You were mad. No, furious. You know all this didn’t come from him but from his mom. You know she will do anything to protect her son and take responsibility for his actions. 

You spend your entire Christmas Day in bed, unable to move or speak. You didn’t want to eat but forced yourself for your baby girl. Every time you rub your belly, you miss the touch of Charles on it. You miss him more than anything, but you wanted to prove to him and yourself that you didn’t need him. 

You made an effort to eat with your family the night of Christmas. Everyone tried to cheer you up, but something was broken in you. You really lost him, and you really lost Charles. All this drama put so much pressure on you that the same night, you start bleeding. 

You decided not to take any chance and went to the hospital. Right away, they took charge of you. You waited hours for the doctors to give you news, but nothing. You weren’t surprised because you were the 25th and everybody was celebrating with their family, but all this wait made you worried even more. 

Charles was with his family having dinner when his phone rang. 

“Hello?” 

“Charles, Charles Leclerc?” Ask your mother.

“Yes?”

“Y/M/N, Y/n mother. Y/n is in the hospital.” She says straight to the point.

“What?” 

“She’s in the hospital. She was losing blood, and we went directly to check it out. I’m not supposed to be calling you right now, and she didn’t want to worry you. But you’re the father and she loves, misses you very much.” She explains herself off tone. 

“Where are you?” 

“I’m not sure, she wants to see you, Charles.”

“I’m her boyfriend and the father. I'm coming. Tell me which hospital!” He orders directly, not missing this opportunity. 

“Centre hospitalier de la Côte Basque.” She hangs up the phone after whispering the information.

“She’s in France. All this time, she was this close,” he thinks, hanging up the phone. He rushes inside and excuses himself to everyone before taking his coat and leaving promptly. 

Charles didn’t waste any minute, and he drove for hours. He arrives at at 4 am the morning at the destination, and he barely parks his car and rushes inside. Almost screaming at the receptionist to find out where you are. 

You are in your room, sleeping with your mother stocking your head gently. After crying, you finally fell asleep. Breathing finally normally, you weren’t dreaming, and it was better this way. 

Charles sprint through the corridor before finding your room. He takes the time to catch his breath before passing a hand in his hair. He opened the door carefully. Your father gets up from his chair and grabs him by the collar the minute he walks in. 

“You have some nerve coming here after what you did to her, you piece of shit.” 

“I... I’m sorry.” 

“Y/F/N, let him go.” Speaking up, your mother, getting up and taking her husband's arm. 

Your father took several minutes before releasing his grip and walking away. 

“She’s sleeping right now. They sedated her.” 

“Is she okay? And the baby?” 

“Like you care about her,” pester your father, sitting back in his chair.

“I do...”

“Oh really, when?”

“I know. I didn’t want this to happen, so I messed up. But I love her. I really do.” 

You start to wake up. Wriggles in the hospital bed. You sight, trying to vanish the vapour of the drug. 

You slowly opened your eyelids, trying to get used to daylight. Still unaware of the atmosphere in the room, you moan, trying to change position. Your catheter hurts, and you blow a good blow before opening your eyes.

You search for your mother, but your eyes fall on Charles, who approaches you.

“Charles?” 

“Oui, mon amour.” He says, taking place next to you.

To be continued... 

Tag list: 

@mloyer @heavengirls111 @janeholt3 @ggaslyp1 @tall-tanned-tattoo @queenanababy @91vhs @dreamerrosie @pleasedontfollowimlost @kuskumu @lissimountf1 @sbgal​

[haunybooboo]

These are the eyes of a lost soul.

Or a lost jackass. Either or.

I am drowning.

Ever since I took him back to court for child support he has been on a warpath. Even tho he basically lied to keep it from being the max amount. I did get a small increase tho and that was enough to set him off. He immediately went after one of my closest friends, found his wife and told her my friend and so were sleeping together. And now it’s been a month since I’ve heard from him and I probably never will.

Next he decided to let the electric company know I had a new account, and apparently he had the electric in my name so they merged the accounts and now I owe close to $2000 by next Monday. Duke refuses to work with me.

I can barely make it on my own without government assistance and unreliable child support. Now this? I am at a loss. I have no one left to ask for help. I did reach out to his mom and ignored. She hasn’t had a fucking thing to do with the boys and they’re her grandchildren too. You’d think she at least respond. But then again I didn’t get even an “I’m sorry for your loss” after mom died.

Grief man. Grief will show you the true colors of those around you. And basically all I have our my boys. But I don’t know if I can continue to fight this man, I think this time he’s finally done it. He’s ruined my life to the point of no return.

And now I must figure out how to get to work tomorrow as I putted in to town on fumes after getting the boys. Swear. I cannot catch a break.

[vtforpedro]

life update - long

It took me a hot minute to find the last update. December, I guess? I'm so tired I never stop being tired and time is not real anymore. Anyway. Disability Stuff: I won my case in federal court in February. They said it'd take a year so I was a little hm. Found out the SSA voluntarily asked the judge for the remand because the written decision was indefensible and they were gonna take another look. Pros: Hey, I won! I get a second hearing! Cons: I didn't get a brief written by the federal law firm because there was no time. This is actually a tactic used by the SSA. I have no doubt they're fine tuning another denial. I also have to wait for the lower level court to figure out what was so bad about it (that they'd already ruled was perfect) to give to the judge I will have another hearing with. The same judge. Who said I was a liar multiple times and omitted eight months of medical evidence and said mental health issues are subjective hahaha. I hate this country. Health: Boy howdy it's been better and worse. I had the tilt table test in late December, went... ok enough, but my neuro didn't like how ambiguous the report was and sent me back to them to speak to an autonomic disorder specialist. Scheduled in Jan, just had my appt with her this month lol she is busy. She ordered: genetics test, labs, and skin biopsy. I've done the first two, third is scheduled in July and I'm gonna be a mess because needles u_u Brain stuff is much of the same. Episodic. Manageable times are a godsend, bad times are really bad. My heart started to do some funky ass shit a few months ago. My mom kept writing it off as anxiety no matter how much I explained that it felt like my heart was pounding after exercise. My BP and pulse shot up high for a while and b/c my pulse never came back down and it was interfering with, you know, living, my PCP sent me to cardiology. :') Cause I wanted my heart involved in this mess One 24hr holter monitor, echo, and heart ultrasound later, and I have a new heart condition. He said 'your heart is beating so fast you would normally see it with exercise' bada boom baby and has nothing to do with fucking ANXIETY >:[ I'm on heart medication. 10 meds. I need to start another med for my psych but that's 11 and I'm honestly getting upset because it's so fucking much medication in one day but every single one of them is necessary so what can really I do? Personal: Relationship with my mom is at an all time low. This is extremely unfortunate because a few weeks ago, my mom told me she is basically being 'laid off' (she's not losing her job for a while, just retiring earlier than expected) and I have to leave my home of 10 years by mid-August. Got no sympathy from her about it *finger guns* I've gone through the devastation of that and am kind of just stuck in how is any of that gonna work. My brother and I can't live together, so he's gonna move into a family friend's rental. Except he has no job and hasn't been able to get one in months. He started one on Monday, is gonna leave by Friday because it's horrific ig. Anyway my mom promises he won't be there. We have to move based on my disabilities and my mom's house is gonna have to reflect what we have here. I'll see it when I believe it. I don't trust her anymore. Extra unfortunate that I'm gonna be living 24/7 with my mother who has been an abusive person in my life the past two years. The short break thru the day that my apartment is just mine, quiet and gentle, is gonna be gone. I'll be introducing my solitary 11 year old cat Lilly into a house with 3 other cats. She only knew Isis her entire life. She was just diagnosed with neuro issues this year after going through an MRI. We don't know if she has seizure activity or if it's movement disorder, but the med she's on treats both and she has gotten better. Same process Isis went through. Cannot believe I have two cats with neuro issues and likely the same one. May 18th was one year since Isis passed. Rough, tiring day.

I don't know how it has been that long. Feels like it just happened. I can still see her and feel her through my apartment and losing it in August will probably shatter me most because of losing the last place she existed in. I miss her more than I can say.

She was my little soulmate and her absence is felt in every corner here. Writing/Fandom:

I went through a whole fucking situation over in the Stranger Things fandom that has left me not wanting to post anymore. Idk if neuro shit has destroyed my ability to write but it's humiliating and painful every time I post a fic.

I posted stucky (1 out of 2 fics this year) on my main acct and lost 8 fuckin user subs? Like goddamn. What'd stucky do 😭 anyway it was even more devastating and kinda like 'here's your big ass sign to keep your writing to yourself.'

Between the god awful shit that happened in the ST fandom and my inability to put together even a good one shot, I'm feeling really down about one of two creative things I can do in my life. I used to love sharing my stuff. I want to write and share but it feels like it's harming my MH. I can't draw or paint right now, either. And I can barely move around my apartment without pain. I can't even leave it except for doctor appointments.

Idk. Very walls are closing in type of feeling and I hate it. In short: I'm tired, struggling, and too many things are happening at once. I love you all 😩💜 thank you for your patience and love and kind words. Your support is felt through one update to the next. I hope you're all well and I'm sending all my love and hugs to you.

[nighthunter241]

He is Mine-Chapter 2 (Henry Cavill x male reader)

NOT MY GIF, GIF USED FROM TUMBLR OPTION

18+ DNI if you are lower the age of 18

Warning: mentions of DEATH

Rival #2 Gal Gadot

POV of M/N mom and dad during Week 1 before they left town.

Chris is in the basement home picking up a box and is about to go up the stairs to leave the basement. As he is leaving the basement with the box on hand he opens the door and is walking out until he is startled by his wife Alba. He gets scared and drops the box he was holding, making a loud thud when landing on the floor.

Alba: Oh darling, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.

Chris: It is no issue honey.

Alba: Surprised you still haven’t been able to distinguish my footsteps darling.

Chris: You are the one who has been known for being light on their feet.

Alba: What were you doing in the basement, wait is that the box with all our old letters and voice messages.

Chris: Yeah it is, I've been thinking about throwing them out.

Alba: And why is that darling?

Chris: You really want our kids to find them or worse read and listen to them.

Alba: Come on it won’t be that bad.

Chris: Sweety, I might be ok with the truth of the past but our kids we don’t know about that.

Alba: I highly doubt they will change perspectives, even though adopted they still seem more like me.

Chris: Yeah well anyway why did you want me to wake up early and drop you off at this gas station?

Alba: Well darling the best thing happened today, someone I saw many years ago is back in town and clearly still have interest in me so I had to make sure he knew that I knew he was back into town, I was hoping to catch him at the gas station to welcome him back but he instead ran down an ally.

Chris: Who are you talking about?

Alba: Don’t tell me you are jealous sweetheart.

Chris: Trust me I don’t get jealous especially about another man I know you wouldn’t do anything with another person.

Alba: So romantic honey.

Chris: Any way, who was this guy?

Alba: It was him, the investigator

Chris: What?

Alba: Yeah.

Chris: It can’t be I thought he retired or left town due to him being the laughing stock of the town.

Alba: I guess he is back now, may want to start picking up his investigation again and try to put me into jail again.

Chris: He failed the first time, you even embarrassed him and got him to lose everything while in court what else could he want.

Alba: He is stubborn and might think he can catch me slipping and hopefully reopen the case.

Chris: What do you want to do?

Alba: I’ll tell you about it while we pack our bags and head to the airport

Chris: Yeah that sounds……WAIT AIRPORT as in the place with the planes for people who leave the country?

Alba: Yes darling we are packing our bags and heading to Canada.

Chris: Are you kidding, and our jobs?

Alba: Relax, I took care of it, we get all the time off we need.

Chris: That is great but we got I don’t know THREE KIDS that are in their senior year about to graduate.

Alba: Darling relax, if they are just like their mother they will be fine.

Chris: How long will we be gone for?

Alba: I don’t know, it will depend how fast I can track him down and take care of it.

Chris: Alba sweety.

Alba: Darling don’t worry, I’ll pack and write them a note.

Chris: What about the box? Let me throw it out first.

Alba: Just throw it back down the basement and I’ll write in the note to stay out of the basement, you know they always listen to me.

Chris: Alright honey.

Alba: Do you think when we get back M/N will have a boyfriend I really hope so.

Chris: I hope not, can’t have another child go through a honeymoon phase.

Alba: What you say darling?

Chris: Nothing sweetheart.

Present

You wake up on Monday deeply annoyed when you remember that you have another issue to deal with. Now you have another girl that Henry can possibly fall for, just thinking about it pisses you off. You are ready for school and head downstairs and see your brothers eating and you update them about what you know.

M/N: There is another one.

Sebastian: Another what?

M/N: Another girl that likes Henry

Anthony: What, how do you know?

M/N: Robert told me

Sebastian: Him, and you take his word for it.

M/N: I mean I saw photos. It looked like Henry was getting close with that girl.

Sebastian: Who is the girl?

Anthony: I swear it better not be a student council member.

M/N: It is Gal Gadot

Sebastian: Wait, Gal you serious

Anthony: They are working on a school project together makes sense.

M/N: UGH, what do I do?

Sebastian: I have no idea, just let it play out until something comes to mind.

Anthony: You are so helpful sometimes you know that.

Sebastian shrugs at the comment and before you know it you are walking to school and at the corner where you meet up with Henry. After some time Henry calls out to you and you two start walking to school. “So how was your weekend Henry?” you asked him and he responds “Nothing much just feeling a bit better after what happened with Amy”. You end up asking him how everything is with that and he just responds letting you know the friendship between the two is over and that he is somewhat feeling better. One thing you noticed was that he never mentioned him being at the park or the walk and chat he had with Gal which gets you thinking if anything romantic is really going on. You decide not to push the topic and you two end up getting to school and Henry leaves saying he has to meet with Gal about their project. You end up following him until he reaches the school library and from a corner you listen to their conversation.

Gal: Hey Henry so glad you could meet up before class.

Henry: Yeah it is no problem

Gal: How are you feeling?

Henry: Better actually, the chat and walk with you made me feel better.

Gal: Have you told M/N about what you've been feeling?

Henry: Not really, he doesn’t really need to know.

Gal: Well I feel special. I know something that your best friend doesn’t.

Henry: I guess so.

Gal: Let's continue discussing how we should plan this project.

Henry sits down and starts talking with Gal about the project, hearing say how she thinks she is so special just because she knows a piece of info makes your blood boil. HOW DARE SHE think that. You were going to leave until you saw Gal put her hand on Henry's arm in a playful manner. You felt like something snapped, you were angry, no you were enraged by what you were seeing. After seeing that you left and decided you needed to relax, you go to the roof to relax but unable to come up with a plan you start freaking out on what to do. You go to class and while attending you are unable to focus without thinking of Gal and Henry until class ends. When lunch comes around you start walking by the club rooms and when you pass the Chemistry club you notice the cabinets and see all the chemicals, the dangerous chemicals. Hours pass and you get home and instantly go to your room to come with a plan. You start looking up the names of the chemicals you could see from the cabinet in the chemistry club out of curiosity. You end up finding out that certain chemicals in the club are poisonous, deadly enough to get it done. The temptation becomes strong but you shut off the laptop and quickly try to calm yourself, nearly going crazy at the thought of hurting Gal. 

After having a rough night you get to school trying to hopefully have a normal day to see if it was possible to come up with a different strategy, that was until you saw Gal talking to someone and you decide to listen in.

Gal: I mean it, he is so hot.

Friend: I’m not saying you're wrong just making sure you know what you are doing, he did just lose his friend.

Gal: He clearly is throwing signals back, I can’t wait till Friday.

Friend: You really got it bad don’t you, what about M/N?

Gal:  What about him?

Friend: They are close friends, what if he doesn’t like you and Henry chooses him over you.

Gal: Highly doubt that, before he knows it, I will be the one having Henry all the time and all that Henry will think about is me

They giggle and walk away, “Alright if that is how you feel, what about a rude awakening you ugly bit….”. Before you finish that thought Anthony comes up to you and smirks.

Anthony: Someone is being productive.

M/N: Shut it, just leaning against this wall.

Anthony:Yeah, sure. Have you come up with anything?

M/N: I…….well….

Anthony: Oh……is it those thoughts?

M/N: What thoughts?

Anthony: You know

M/N: Anthony………..I don’t know what you are talking about.

Anthony: Alright, just know you can do whatever it takes ok and we will have your back just know that.

Your brother leaves you to think about the last thing he said, and without a second thought it can possibly work. Maybe you can to the chemistry club room and seeing how empty it is you go in. The first thing visible is the cabinet and thankfully club members were dumb enough to leave it unlocked.  You grab one of the tiny bottles and leave the room and you start wondering what you can do with the poison. But then you remember one thing, pour it into her food and we will have your back just know that.

M/N: Hey I need something.

Robert: What do you need?

M/N: Do you know Gal's usual schedule, like what she does during her free time before class.

Robert: I can send it to you but overall she is always with someone or doing something so she is distracted.

M/N: What about lunch time?

Robert: She packs her lunch in the cooking club, she apparently is good friends with one of the members so they let her put her lunch there and when lunch begins she heads to the club to pick it up and heat it.

M/N: When does she usually leave her lunch in the cooking club?

Robert: It looks like that is one of the first things she does when she gets to school.

M/N: Alright, thx.

You put your phone down and head to the cooking club, none of the club members are inside due to them handing out samples around the school. You open the fridge and see a whole bunch of cooking ingredients but only one lunch box is located inside. You take it out and open it, without hesitation you pour the chemical you grabbed onto the meal. After that you let it air out to get rid of the smell and after that you packed it up again and placed it back in the fridge. Everything is put back in its place and you leave the club room and quickly make your way to class before the bell rings. After hours of classes it finally hits lunchtime and you get to the cooking club and see Gal take out her lunch box. She walks outside and heads to one of the benches near the gymnasium and she sits down and starts eating her lunch. After a couple of minutes of her eating she starts making a face of discomfort then she starts coughing. She gets up and only manages to get like a couple of steps before she falls onto the floor coughing and gagging. After a minute of that she lays still and stops moving, a student comes out of the gymnasium and lets out a scream. Before you could get caught you run away and get yourself into a random room. The student that had screamed heads to the teacher lounge and leads the teacher to Gal. Before you know it an ambulance is called and comes to Gal aid but clearly showing no signs of recovery, the paramedics later call the time of death. Everyone is to their classes and are forced to stay put until class is dismissed early.

 The Principal and Guidance Counselor decide to send the students home early and you are making your way home and when you get there you are greeted by your brothers who instantly start bombarding you with questions.

Anthony: Was it you?

Sebastian: You could have done a better job?

Anthony: What did you do exactly?

Sam: How did you do it?

M/N: RELAX!!! One at a time please.

Anthony: So?

M/N: It…..was…..me..

Anthony: How though?

M/N: I poured some poisonous chemical onto her food.

Sebastian: Wait, that was it?

M/N: Yeah

Anthony: We thought it was something more impressive but whatever.

M/N: Why are you guys so relaxed about what I did?

Sebastian: I don’t know, we aren’t really freaked out about this

M/N: Just don’t tell mom.

Anthony: Relax we won’t.

Your brothers walk alway to go make dinner and after eating dinner you head to your room to relax due to you not having homework and plan to enjoy the rest of the week until you receive a text from Henry.

Henry: M/N I feel so freaked after today.

M/N: I know, we just wanted a normal week.

Henry: I was getting along with Gal. I felt devastated after finding out what happened.

M/N: I know, I heard it could be food poisoning, a terrible way to go.

Henry: Yeah I heard about that also, I guess she must have used expired ingredients by accident.

M/N: I guess so, still a terrible thing

Henry: I think I may skip school tomorrow.

M/N: Wait, why?

Henry: I need a day to just process this.

M/N: I get that.

Henry: Wait, skip school tomorrow with me, we can go to the mall or go somewhere to eat just us two.

M/N: Henry you know I would, but I don’t need the school contacting my parents about me missing school while they are out of town.

Henry: Alright makes sense, don’t want you to get your mum angry I guess goodnight.

M/N: Night Henry

Week 2 Saturday

Henry POV

After the end of that school week Henry is walking by the football field, the one day he skipped wasn’t enough for him to get over the death of Gal. While walking by he runs into someone from school and he recognizes him. It is someone from their school football team, Ben Affleck. 

Ben: Sorry about that

Henry: No, I’m sorry.

Ben: Hey weren’t you that dude who was working on that project with Gal

Henry: Um, yeah I was.

Ben: Oh ... .must have been hard for you.

Henry: It was but pulling through.

Ben: That is all we can do, how are you feeling overall?

Henry: Just sad, but also numb to it and freaked out since it is so out of knowhere.

Ben: I hear that, just trying to distract myself with practice.

Henry: Yeah I’m currently trying to find a distraction also.

Ben: Hey, I got an idea.

Henry: What is it?

Ben: You seem strong and athletic, can you throw the football at me and help me with my catches you can help practice more and it should distract you for a bit to have you forget about what happened

Henry: You know what sure, sounds like a good idea

Ben: Thank you and trust me playing will help you relax and forget for a bit.

Sunday

M/N POV

You are washing the dishes from eating lunch when you notice your phone starts notifying you about a message. After finishing up you check your phone and to no surprise it is from Robert.

Robert: Congrats on getting rid of Gal, you had successfully killed someone without getting caught. That is impressive.

M/N: I have no idea what you are talking about

Robert: No need to lie or act dumb with me like I said I’m an ally.

M/N: What game are you playing?

Robert: No game just making sure you know who to trust, but most importantly I have some information you may like.

M/N: Which is?

Robert: *Sends of photos of Henry and Ben at the football field* Good looking man right, all those muscles.

M/N: That is Ben Affleck, the football captain of our school.

Robert: Exactly and he seems to be getting close with Henry.

M/N: They seem to be friends.

Robert: Naive aren’t you

M/N: Wait, don't tell me.

Robert: Ben well after some digging he seems to be the classic in the closet Jock an interesting detail just saying.

M/N: Perfect another issue to take care of.

Robert: Shouldn’t you be happy, this can help confirm if Henry is into men right?

M/N: Yeah you are right, but worse if he decides to follow those feelings with Ben.

Robert: Like before, just get to know the details about their building “friendship” and from there you can confirm what you need to do.

M/N: Doing this all again.

Robert: Relax, I’m sure you can take care of it, you seem to know a lot more than you let on, have fun and don’t stress out, remember, Henry is already yours.

[remembertheplunge]

Your soul snags on the barbwire.

I’m here in the long, wide beige Stanislaus County Detention Center (Jail) lobby. I'm here to see an inmate client in the jail.

The Detention center is located in the country outside of Modesto, California.

I’ve checked in with the clerk through a window at the Western end of the lobby. 20 feet away is the entrance door to the jail. The jail lobby is about 150 feet long, 50 feet wide with high ceilings. At the Eastern end are three kiosk desks for family video visits with inmates. Two sets of maybe 10 hard plastic chair are located along the northern glass wall of the lobby.

Seated in the row of chairs close to the jail entrance door is a Mexican family. They happily chatter in their native tounge. I had checked in on arrival and was waiting for a guard to appear at the entrance door to let me in to visit with a client. It is about 1:45pm today, April 20, 2024 Saturday.

We wait.

We are in the human zoo’s lobby. It’s a zoo in which only the zoo guards regularly see “the animals”.

Do zoo animals feel “caged”?

Why cage the human animal?

Is it from Puritan times? To give them time to think about what they did?

Is it a societal band-aid meant to keep them off the street or to appease the outside populace? In most cases, it’s a temporary fix. The animal will be released.

But, the fix alters the animal’s life. He  sometimes comes out branded “felon’. He is shunned by his fellows. He is on a leash off probation or parol. It’d difficult therefore for him to find work.

A guard opens the jail entrance door and says “Jose”. The middle aged hispanic man in the white shirt who’d been sitting with the family stands, as does the family, children and a woman. The surround the man, then walk with him to the door. The door closes, he’s gone, probably to begin serving a jail sentence. The rest of the family leaves. The woman’s eyes well up.

Soon another woman, this time white in her 30’s probably, enters the lobby and goes up to the check in window. The woman said “I’m here for a visit (with an inmate). The clerk said "You didn’t receive the e mail that all visits were canceled due to a jail lock down?" The woman says “All right”. She leaves in frustration, eyes glistening with tears.

Now two women sit at one of the visiting kiosk desks. They are also hispanic. One older, one younger, maybe in her 30’s. They are largely silent waiting for the visit too begin.

The long beige lobby again is silent.

Outside, the April air is warm and sweet. It’s inviting. Rebuffed by the lobby, the outside day might as well be on another planet. It has no relevance here.

I have visited clients in this jail many times over the years. And, for many years before that in the old downtown jail. Once you visit the human zoo, part of you remains there.Your soul snags in the barbed wire atop the jail walls.

Sill waiting to see my client

The woman at the kiosk finally connect with a man on their video screen. I get a glimpse of him. He’s a 20 something hispanic male. 

The younger woman, who speaks in English (the older woman spoke to him in Spanish)  The younger woman asked him “How are you doing? Send Mom some of your drawings. Have you bought your things for the week? (from the jail commissary) Angel’s birthday is on Thursday. I can watch you on you tube when you go to court.  She asked him if he had anything planned when he got out? She could make a resume for him for Tesla. Fed X pays good. It would be something for you to come out and look forward to.. “You should go to school. Like David. Learn how to drive semi trucks. Explore the states. Get out of here. Do something new, you and your girlfriend. Different vibes. We’re here for you. Whatever you need. Just keep your head up."

I’m still waiting.

I can talk with my client in Court on Monday. Maybe I came here to touch base with the lobby—to visit the part of my soul which is forever snagged out here.

I return to the window, return the jail ID badge the clerk had given me on arrival, and go out into the April day.

[joanofexys]

The Start of Forever

reposting an old jerejean piece i wrote literally three years ago largely so i can look back and laugh after reading the sunshine court

“You should come home with me,” Jeremy says it so casually one Thursday night that Jean barely even thinks about the words.

“We are home.” He mutters, focused on mincing garlic for a recipe that Renee sent him.

Jeremy sighs but Jean doesn’t even have to look up to know he was still smiling. He also knew the second he looked up he’d be smiling too. “You’re not wrong but I mean my family home. We have a long weekend and I’m going to go visit them. I’d love it if you came with me.”

There’s the usual enthusiasm in Jeremy’s voice but quieter, mixed with some hesitant hope. Jean could say no and Jeremy would drop it instantly, no questions asked. He spends a few minutes mulling it over, focusing his attention on what he’s cooking.

In the corner of his eye, he can see Jeremy take a seat at the counter. His boyfriend rests his chin in his palm. Jean returns the soft smile Jeremy gives him.

“How many days?”

“Three nights, four days. We’d leave Monday morning or afternoon.” Jeremy replies, adding on a moment later, “and we can always leave earlier if you choose to come. All you’d have to do is say the word.”

Jean hums, considering. “It’s not a no.”

They talk about anything and everything while Jean finishes cooking and Jeremy jumps in to help. They speak mostly in French and Jean occasionally pokes fun at Jeremy’s “horrible” accent. It had admittedly improved but Jean wouldn’t let it go and teased Jeremy at least once every time they held a conversation in French.

He doesn’t bring up Jeremy’s offer until after they finish eating and start washing the dishes. His body is pressed up against Jeremy’s, making things a tad bit inconvenient for them both but the contact is nice.

“Your family will be there, no?”

“My moms, Liv, and Jenna will be for sure.” Jeremy tells him, “Mel wants to visit if she can and she’ll bring Oliver and Bella with her even if Kamryn can’t come with. Rylie will probably stay for a few hours on Saturday too.”

“Meeting your family is a pretty big step.”

“Which is one of the reasons I completely understand if you want to say no. I know they’d all love to meet you but if you’re not ready for that it’s completely okay.”

“I think it’d be nice,” Jean admits quietly, staring at the plate he’s rinsing instead of looking at Jeremy. “We can leave early if I ask?”

He hears the fork Jeremy was drying click against the counter and feels his boyfriend reach up and squeeze his arm. It’s an awkward motion with the way they’re pressed together and Jeremy trying not to move away.

“Of course, we’ll be gone before you can say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”

Jean blinks at him, looking extremely confused. “Say what?”

“You’re joking right?” When Jean shakes his head very slowly Jeremy sighs though his lips are quirking up and it’s enough to soothe any worries Jean might have about Jeremy actually being upset.

“We’re watching Mary Poppins tonight. And we’re gonna listen to supercalifragilisticexpialidocious until you can sing the entire thing.”

“I don’t sing.”

“Then I’ll sing the entire thing and you can just tell me when you have the lyrics memorized.”

Jean clears his throat, raising his eyebrows. “I think we should be making plans and packing to visit your family. Not singing children’s songs.”

“We can do both.”

“Sounds torturous.”

---

Jean absolutely despises the way he has to resist humming supercalifragilisticexpialidocious during the drive. But for the first half-hour, the car is too silent and the stupid song has been stuck in his head since yesterday night. True to his word Jeremy had turned on Mary Poppins and then proceeded to ramble about how much his niece and nephew, Oliver and Bella, loved the movie. He didn’t stop talking, whether it was in French or English until the damn song came on and proceeded to scream-sing the words.

He lasts until 10:45 am before he turns on the radio, cranking it up until a random pop song Jean doesn’t know the name of was near deafening. Jeremy shoots him an odd look but doesn’t ask any questions as Jean tips his head back against the headrest. Three songs later he’s fast asleep and it’s only after two more songs play that Jeremy dares to turn down the volume. Lest the change somehow manage to wake Jean.

He dozes for the next hour and a half, occasionally waking up only to shift in his seat, yawn, and promptly fall back asleep. His third time waking up he stretches his hand out onto the console and Jeremy subconsciously takes one hand off the steering wheel to intertwine their fingers.

The final time he wakes up it’s near 1:00 and it’s Jeremy’s voice coaxing him into consciousness. He’s talking about the most random things but pauses when notices Jean peeling his eyes open to glare at him. Jean’s met with the most blinding and brilliant smile and his expression softens, giving Jeremy an attempt at a tired smile.

“We’ll be there in a few minutes, I figured you’d appreciate being woken up before we get there. But I didn’t know if touching you would be okay.”

Jean yawns, scrunching up his neck and shoulders. He mutters something in French that Jeremy doesn’t catch. Turning in his seat to face Jeremy, which isn’t very comfortable with the seatbelt, he leans his head against the headrest again but keeps his eyes open and watches Jeremy drive. It takes him until they pull into the driveway to finally feel awake and he immediately grabs onto Jeremy’s hand, not even remembering letting go the first time.

“You still okay with this?” Jeremy asks when he turns into the cul de sac.

Jean nods, focused on fiddling with Jeremy’s fingers. “Yes.”

There are two girls rushing outside the moment Jeremy pulls into the driveway. One of them, the one who looks youngest who Jean assumes is Liv, wrenches open the driver’s door for Jeremy and climbs into the car to hug him. One of Jeremy’s moms, Isabelle, comes around to the passenger side to open the door for Jean. She has a kind smile and face that shows years of bright smiles and laughter. On the surface, she and Jeremy looked nothing alike but if you looked a little deeper the happiness she radiated was the same as Jeremy, something akin to warm sunlight. Jean had to resist scowling at himself, it was Jeremy who had made him sappy like this. The second he stepped out of the car he offered her a hand which she enthusiastically shook.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Jean tells her, unsure of whether to address her by her first name or Mrs. Knox or even ma’am.

“And it’s wonderful to meet you, Jean. We’ve been waiting for this since Jeremy called us just gushing about how amazing you are.”

“Ma!” Jeremy exclaims, a red flush crawling up his ears and neck. Jean can’t help the amused smile that forces itself onto his lips and Jeremy rolls his eyes when he sees it. “Oh, that’s just the ego boost you need. It’s true though, you’re amazing and I could talk about it for hours.”

Now it was Jean’s turn to blush, pursing his lips and looking at the cement. Isabelle lets go of his hand but not before squeezing it between her own in a comforting gesture.

“He very nearly did by the way.” Stephanie Knox, Jeremy’s other mom, drawls. “This boy would not have shut up about you if he didn’t have early morning practices to worry about. It was the only reason he stopped and went to bed.”

“Mom, do we have to start with this immediately? We just got here.”

She pins Jeremy with a look that Jean can only describe as a mom look, despite having no clue what that would actually be. “Alright, alright. I’ll give it a rest until your sisters get here, I’m sure they’ve got plenty of stories they’d love to tell your honey.” Then she turns to the “honey” in question who is probably the most terrified he has ever been in his life and is praying to god it doesn’t show on his face.

“It’s lovely to have you here, Jean. We were thrilled when Jeremy called and said you’d decided to join us this weekend.”

“I’m happy to be here, Jeremy’s told me a lot about you all.”

“And Jeremy’s told us a lot about you.” Jenna, who was 14 if Jean was remembering right, shimmies her shoulders and waggles her eyebrows. Her grin widens when Jeremy pinches her shoulder and hisses at her to shut up.

“A lot a lot a lot a lot a lot,” Liv emphasizes, nodding furiously with wide eyes.

Jean shoots Jeremy a panicked look as subtly as he can, having no idea how to respond to all this. It seems he wasn’t subtle because both Isabelle and Stephanie seem to pick up on it.

“Alright let’s head inside. Jeremy, you can help Liv and me in the kitchen.” Stephanie says, already ushering her two youngest kids to the door.

Jeremy trails behind slowly, waiting for Jean to join him. Isabelle is a few steps behind them and shuts the door with a quiet click.

“You two can grab your stuff in a little bit, for now, you can just relax and visit. Unless you’d prefer to unpack now.”

“It can wait-” Jeremy’s sentence is interrupted by Stephanie’s voice coming from the kitchen.

“Damn right it can wait, get your tush in here and get started on seasoning this chicken.”

“You don’t mind chicken tacos for dinner right?” Isabelle asks. “We thought about trying out something French but Jeremy said not to bother.”

Jean nods, letting out a small nervous chuckle. “Yeah, that’s fine by me. I’m not picky.”

“Liar!” Jeremy calls out from the kitchen. “You are one of the pickiest eaters I have ever met, you won’t even touch half of the stuff Laila makes.”

“I promise I am not that bad,” Jean tells Isabelle, eyes wide. “Laila is a horrible cook, I didn’t know we were supposed to keep that a secret until it was too late.”

Isabelle gives him a toothy grin as Jeremy’s laughter rings out and she reaches out to squeeze Jean’s arm. “I’ll show you around the house and then you can help me pick out some board games.”

Jean almost bangs his head against the nearest wall when he nods again. This was by far the most awkward experience of his life and it was with Jeremy’s family for fucks sake. Though he could always reassure himself with the fact that he never properly learned how to socialize with people, especially those who are virtually strangers. He’ll treat this as a learning experience and hopefully interact normally with Jeremy’s family.

Besides, how difficult could dinner and some board games be? If it doesn’t go well they can always leave.

---

Dinner is one of the most awkward experiences of Jean’s life. It starts when Rylie flings the front door open and Jean absolutely will not admit to how much it startled. Mel arrives about fifteen minutes later with the twins at her heels giggling like maniacs. When Bella ends up latching onto Jean’s leg he throws Jeremy a panicked look and only gets his asshole of a boyfriend laughing in return.

Mel’s wife Kamryn is unable to make it but Mel makes up for the lack of her presence by showing Jean a bajillion photos. Rylie groans at that and sits on Jean’s other side on the couch, pulling out her phone to show Jean some photos of the animals from the shelter she works at.

When Jeremy trails into the main room, an insane amount of food balanced precariously in his hands, he shoos both of his sisters away after placing the food on the coffee table. Though he wants to Jean doesn’t question the fact that they seem to eating dinner in the main room and not the dining room.

Rylie settles down on the floor, pulling Liv into her lap even as her younger sister squeals and squirms before settling down so she can steal food from Rylie’s plate. Jenna tries to sneak off to her room before Stephanie calls her back and she plops into an armchair with a small huff. Mel dishes up food for her twins first before telling them to be careful about spilling anything and then starts on two more plates. Jean doesn’t pay her too much attention, not when Jeremy is laying back on the couch and pulling Jean into him. A position Jean still can’t believe Jeremy actually enjoys, he still worries that he’s crushing Jeremy despite all reassurance Jeremy has given him.

He blinks, bemused when Mel holds out the plates in their direction. Jerking her head in a signal for them to grab the plates. Jean does so, muttering a thanks, and silently wishes he could fly into the sun.

Gradually he begins to relax, Jeremy’s arm wrapped around his shoulders and across his chest something grounding to focus on. He stays on the outskirts of the conversation despite Jeremy, Isabelle, and Stephanie’s best attempts. It’s only when Rylie exclaims something in French, catching Jean’s attention, that he really starts to include himself. He starts by conversing with just Rylie, fully in French, and soon enough Jenna and Liv are asking for him to teach them French and it escalates from there until Jean is smiling and laughing and he feels more comfortable than he expected. Still awkward but he feels okay in his ability to carry a conversation with them all.

“You’ve never played Clue?” Mel exclaims as if he’s personally offended her.

“No…” Jean raises his brows, confused.

“Alright everyone clear off the table, we’re playing Clue right now. Jeremy I can’t believe you’ve let this happen.”

“Shut the hell up, Mel.” Jeremy mumbles, face pressed against Jean’s hair. “He’s doing his best.”

Jean pinches him in the side, thinking about Jeremy chastising him about Mary fucking Poppins last night.

That night Jean discovers he really is quite horrible at Clue. It doesn’t work the same way as observing people and things in real life. No one knows what’s going on. It’s basically pure luck. Jeremy looks far too happy about his contempt for the game.

“Finally something you’re bad at,” Jeremy sighs in French. Rylie laughs into her hand and Jean glares.

Needless to say Jean loses every time. Mel wins every time, which makes sense with how much she clearly loves the game. And Jean discovers he doesn’t quite hate being around Jeremy’s family, he’d almost say he loves it actually.

---

Jean is sprawled out on his back on the bed, watching Jeremy unpack the rest of his stuff (cons to not being a light traveler. Jean’s grateful he has never and will never pack as much as his boyfriend) when Jeremy asks the question.

“So do you like them?” Jeremy sounds nervous, pursing his lips together.

Jean doesn’t like his worried expression and gives Jeremy one of his rare smiles in hopes of washing that nervousness away. “They’re amazing.”

“You mean it?”

“Of course I mean it, idiot.” Jean pauses when Jeremy sinks onto the mattress next to him and he takes a moment to wrap his arm around Jeremy and pull him closer. “They’re all very nice and I liked spending time with them. I liked seeing this part of your life and they obviously mean a lot to you.”

Jeremy tucks himself closer to Jean, tossing a leg across his torso. “They mean the world to me. Just like you do.”

Jean hums, pursing his lips to hide his smile. A moment later he gives into it, allowing a silly grin to curve his lip before pressing a kiss to Jeremy’s forehead. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Awwwwww.”

Their heads snap up, spotting Liv, Jenna, Rylie, and Mel huddled in the doorway. All four of them are smiling but they all flush as they realize they were caught.

“Now you’ve done it, Jen,” Rylie mutters, smacking Jenna on the shoulder.

“We were just going to ask if you guys wanted some hot chocolate and to watch a movie with us,” Mel explains.

“Uh-uh,” Jeremy says, grinning. “Sure you were.” He sits up to grab a pillow and chucks it at his sisters. “You definitely weren’t spying. Out, out, out.”

The four stumble down the hall, laughing loudly, and Jean’s gaze flicks between Jeremy and the door.

“Shut the door-” Jeremy pauses mid shout. “And they’re gone.”

“Mom,” Jean hears Liv yell from somewhere else in the house, “Jeremy says he’s in love!”

Jean decides that he really likes the Knox family. And he really loves Jeremy.

[zapreportsblog]

Writing Prompts

1. Ignorance is a disease so back up asshole, I ain’t trying to catch your germs

2. “Look around, what do you see? Nothing? Yeah, cause that’s how many fucks were given!”

3. “Your hot temper makes for a great heater.”

4. “You’re the cum drop your mother should’ve swallowed.”

5. “Don’t speak please, you’re lowering this whole neighborhoods IQ.”

6. “I’m in shock, see I’m wearing a blanket.”

7. “Fallings just like falling expect with a more permanent destination in mind.”

8. “Super weird.”

9. “Bitch don’t kill my vibe.”

10. “Flex tape, stronger then your relationship.”

11. “Bippity Boppity back the fuck up.”

12. “If I had a dollar for every time I was called ugly I’d be broke cause bitch, I’m gorgeous.”

13. “You think you got problems with me, but baby I don’t even think about you. You mad at everything I do, but what are you up to I haven’t a clue. Cause baby you’re dead to me, how can I be dead to you? You’re looking way too obsessed.”

14. “Leave me alone you little fucker.”

15. “God this is so fucked up.”

16. “Older shits teach littler shits shit the elder shits should’ve taught them.”

17. “When we get in here don’t touch shit, don’t look at shit, don’t ask for shit, because we ain’t getting it.”

18. “Be careful who you call a child because you know what that makes you? A pedophile! And I’ll be damned if I sit here and be lectured by a pervert!”

19. “Bold of you to assume I even think.”

20. “I will destroy you on this court yard, I will ruin all that you love, slaughter your hopes and your dreams. I will rip you limb from limb and stand over your fallen corpse, and once that is all over I will laugh at your misery. I will be your demise!”

21. “You guys are pros right? Then why does it feel like I’m going against toddlers that barley knows how to walk right?!”

22. “Thanks, it’s the trauma.”

23. “You better not disrespect me because who you gonna send to check me?”

24. “After all these hands are rated E for everybody!”

25. “Speak for yourself. At least I don’t have more conversations with the memorial statue then with actually people.”

26. “I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not.”

27. “I’m not really a murderer but when I play GTA 5; I turn into Jeffery Dahmer.”

28. “Being jealous is a disease, get well soon bitch.”

29. “ I know I’m handsome but having you stare at me is kind of a turn off.”

30. “No matter what it is, I always get what I want.”

31. “Cause I was born with this pretty face, so of course only pretty things can be worn by me.”

32. “ If I wanted to kill myself I will climb up your ego and jump to your IQ level.”

33. “Would you let me make a dildo of your penis?”

34. “Ya know, talk shit get hit?”

35. “Why is big birds emo son talking to me?”

36. “You know I really like confident women .”

37. “And I like men in my age group.”

38. “Run and I’ll break your legs. Attack and I’ll break your necks.”

39. “Listen there isn’t a single language on earth that has a word for how little I care. A super computer that calculates for a thousand years cannot even approach the number of fucks I do not give.”

40. “Once I find them I’ll peel their skin from off their muscles and feed it to the creatures of the forest, watching as they drink their blood like holy wine.”

41. “So let me tell you one last time so we're clear

42. You don't want to take the path you took to get here. If you pop that lip I will rock your shit. Stop playing with the fire, you are not that lit On monday you can get it! On tuesday you can get it! On wednesday you can get it! What about thursday? You can get it! On friday you can get it! On saturday you can get it! How about sunday? You can get it! And every single day you can get it.”

43. “ It’s heretopaternal superfecundation, mom had a threesome and got two mistakes instead of one.”

44. “As long as my fucks to care are flying around and no one catching them it’ll continue to be that way, no fucks given.”

45. “You must be into some kinky shit if you put your honored guest into chains and cuffs.”

46. “Mate, I’ll fucking spin your jaw.”

47. “It’s the borderline incest for me beloved.”

48. “Mhmm now apologize you fuckin goofy.”

49. “Now remember what I told you, walk straight even if you’re gay.”

50. “I can’t talk right now, I’m doing bad bitch shit.”

51. “If I hated any of you then I would’ve either killed you all off one by one or just left.”

52. “Why don’t you slip into something more comfortable? Like a coma.”

53. “I was not born with enough middle fingers.”

54. “My depression is vicious, but this ass is delicious. Dinner is served bitch.”

55. “You wanna talk about the seatbelt rule! How about we talk about the shut the fuck up rule!”

56. “ Hippity hoppity your grave is on my property.”

57. “You speak to your mother with that mouth?”

58. “ No, but I suck your father’s off with it.”

59. “I’m sick you assholes. Baby me!”

60. “Your first orgy! I approve. Especially the tall one. He'd make an excellent consort."

61. “What did I tell you about speaking of orgies so freely in front of mortals? It's weird. Especially since you're my dad. You're not supposed to approve of these things."

62. “Ding dong the witch is dead."

63. "This drink is my weakness and she knows it. Bitch."

64. “Because they're never gonna see that coming." You say, matter of factly. "They pull back the curtain like re-re and you're like re-re yourself, motherfucker!"

65. “And then you stab them in the eye. You thought the psycho was out there? Surprise! The psycho's in here with the Olay body wash on her."

66. “Oh shit, he's trying to say something. Quick get the Speak-n-Spell!"

67. “The total number of fucks I give are equal to the number of living relatives Sasuke has.”

68. “Haven't you seen my halo, darling? I'm an angel." 

69. “ Can I call you a waste of time? Because that’s what you feel like to me.”

70. “He looks like my depression in human form.”

71. “He looks like he could be my sleep paralysis demon.”

72. “If depression and anxiety had a child he would be that child.”

73. “Oh you shouldn’t talk so big it makes your height look bad.”

74. “Sucking the life out of you guys like depression on a Tuesday.”

75. “I’m lazy not stupid.”

76. “I can't be sad. It is a state of mind which is simply not accessible to me. But this doesn't mean that i am happy all the time because this emotion is suppressed, barely there. Mostly i am in a state of...resignation. Calmness. No matter what situation. I do feel getting touched. But i don't feel pain. At all. So none.”

77. “You could basically rip my eyes out and i would only feel a slight movement and a soft touch. I don't feel exhaustion. I don't feel hunger. Sometimes i forget to breathe. I mean...my body still does that automatically but...meditating can get pretty dangerous for me.”

78. “Think of it that way. Everything around us, is god. The cells. The air. Atomic bonds. Life itself. The movement of the leaves in the wind and the smell of the coffee in front of you. It is around us. In us. Something. Call it molecules. Call it Allah. Call it God. Call it Science. Gravity is god. Carbon dioxide is god. You. Are a tiny bit of god. God is just a word. Something, a word, a thought to share. A reason to life. Live itself. You don't have to be a Jew a Muslim a Buddhist a Christian or an Atheist to know, that the world around you exists. Maybe there is a Plan. Maybe there is a spiritus sancti. Maybe, there is a soul and maybe there isn't. We do not know. But we know of our world. We know of us. Maybe the cells in our body's weren't meant to mutate. Maybe they were. We do not know. But we can believe. That is the difference, between us. A believing and a none believing person. And the difference is, that there is none. We are the same. Thinking about the same, knowing and not knowing the same facts. Simply chose to call it differently."

79. “I’m not here to boost your ego Walmart Superman.”

80. “This is my ninja way.”

81. “They say I care I didn’t care when my dog died.”

82. “I really don’t think barging is the right word… strolled is a more accurate description, I think.”

83. “Of course. I’d tie them up. First I’d remove each nail and when it got inflamed, I’d dip it in salt. They screamed so loud, you have no idea. Then I start to amputate. I’d remove one finger each day, then the toes. Then the hand, then feet, moving my ways up. They wouldn’t die since I would cauterize their wounds. Then I’d play with them. I’d throw screw drivers, knifes, and needles at them. I have a terrible shot you know… or do I?”

84. “I rip their hair out with my own hands and feed it to them. I’d shove my fingers into their eyes till they pop out. The genitals are always last to go. Even if they admit in the beginning, I’d still do it. I’d then dump their bodies for the little birdies and critters to nibble at.”

85. “Treat me like a joke and I’ll leave you like it’s funny.”

86. “I don’t want you guys to think I’m some good guy cause if I got the chance I would sacrifice you all in a heartbeat.”

87. “You fuck me but won’t marry me! How does that work?!”

88. “Shut your mouth!”

89. “Oh I thought you liked it wide open.”

90. “I’m the person who’s gonna cut ya dick off and glue it to ya forehead so you look like a lilting unicorn.”

91. “Who the fuck are you?”

92. “Nobody gives me butterflies anymore, just anger issues.”

93. “Fuck you goatman!”

94. “Mentally sick, physically thick.”

95. “Congratulations, you played yourself.”

96. “I use my tears as hand sanitizer because there’s nothing riper then depression in it’s purest form.”

97. “Always in the sun, but no ones son is ever in me.”

98. “Well if he says I am baby then I am baby. Goo goo ga ga motherfuckers.”

99. “Is this a new technique for kidnapping kids?”

100. “Cry like a little girl. Run like a slave. But when I catch that ass boy, you gonna behave.”

101. “Call me a escalator cause I always let people down.”

102. “Call me a tree cause they always picking on me.”

103. “Call me my dad cause I’m never around.”

104. “Dark humor cause even orphans gotta laugh, shopping which is weird cause I will dead wear the same shit for a month straight, laundry - it’s something about seeing the clothes and everything drown that gets me going.”

105. “They play dumb I play dumber looks like we spongebob and Patrick now.”

106. “Roses are red, Memes are neat. I wanna die, LMFAO YEET.”

107. “If you feel like the world is eating you alive that’s just proof you always looking like a snack.”

108. “I know I’m hot, but I also know I’m not a full time hot person. I’m hit when I want to be. I choose my own hours. I make my own schedule. I do freelance hotness.”

109. “You have a build a bear as a principal.”

110. “I was gonna give you that vacuum cleaner gawk gawk 6000 and this juicy wet 🐱 till you leaked outta me after painting me white on the insides but it seems you having a good night without me so anyways goodnight ☺️.”

111. “Is this social interaction because I don’t really like it.”

112. “Listen if a guy doesn't man handle me during a makeout session or during u know 😏 I'm putting him in rice or sending him back to whoever broke him 😂.”

113. “If we dated before I turnt 20 you are not an ex but a childhood friend.”

114. “Can you wipe off my favorite seat oh I meant ya face.”

115. “Guess I’ll have to stick around, gotta keep you guys alive…for my own.”

116. “I never said I was an angel. Nor am I innocent or holy like the Virgin Mary. What I am is natural and serious and as sensitive as an open nerve on an ice cube. I'm a young black sister with an unselfish heart who overdosed on love long ago. My closest friends consider me soft-spoken. Others say I have a deadly tongue. And while it's true that I have a spicy attitude like most of the ghetto girls I know, I back it up with a quick, precise, and knowledgeable mind. My memory runs. Way back and I'm inclined to remind people of the things they'd most like to forget.”

117. “My vagina just said thank you in Spanish.”

118. “I look at you and go dry, like sand.”

119. “Told you not to call him shitty, now you look like shit.”

120. “You really don’t know someone till you’ve seen them beg for mercy.”

121. “Oh how their screams make me tingle.”

122. “Your words hold no weight against mine.”

123. “Well aren’t you Sherlock fuckin’ Holmes.”

124. “Don’t you know that threats only work on those that have something to lose? If anything I count death as my blessing.”

125. “Welcome to my abortion clinic pizzeria were yesterday‘s loss is today’s sauce.”

126. “Do you know Jesus is actually black and he’s all our fathers cause we haven’t seen him in years.”

127. “Do you know all the zodiacs have their own hairstyles expect for cancers.”

128. “It means I'm perfectly content but also wouldn't mind if the sun exloded right now and killed us all.”

129. “Every day I think I’m getting closer, gonna take a bath with my fucking toaster.”

130. “Are you a race horse? Cause when I ride you’ll always finish first.”

131. “You know what sea turtles and I have in common… we both like being choked by trash.”

132. “I’m gonna sound like a Victorian peasant but please sir may I have some bread? I rather not have some of that mystery meat.”

133. “Service error 11037: Go fuck yourself :)”

134. “🔫🐝 you are beeing robbed. Only thing that’ll save you is ya number. “

135. “Sharing is caring but unfortunately I don’t care.”

136. “He likes to play catch, so I asked him can you catch these hands. He said yes so I hit the living fuck outta him. What’s the problem officer!”

137. “Do you think when humans feel butterflies in their stomachs that butterflies feel humans in their stomachs?”

138. “I keep looking behind and hope to continue forward.”

139. “I’m sorry, is our friendly banter bothering you? I know you prefer to choke your friends rather than joke-”

140. “Are we even together together or are we together like high school musical we all in this together type shit.”

141. “Oh, because I’m so scared of a slenderman clone with daddy issues, who’s also having a sexuality crisis”

142. “Bitch, your pussy smells like hotdog water. Move on.” 

143. “You’re so cute…I hate it.”

144. “Look. I could be a whore, or I could be YOUR whore. Really; it’s up to you.”

145. “Oh, oh, oh my god. Choking is my main turn on.”

146. “This is my no no cube. Anything is possible if you have enough lube.”

147. “Aye baby you ever had KFC. Cause I can give you some of that Kentucky Fried Cock.”

148. “You’re not dummy thicc you’re dummy stick.”

149. “And you little stupid purple looking Barney looking bitch!”

150. “I was raised and surrounded by happiness, something you don’t know.”

151. “They put you in the streets but even the streets ain’t want you.”

152. “Remember reality is an illusion,the universe is a hologram. Buy gold, bye.”

153. “Better scramble like an egg before you get folded like an omelette.”

154. “Play stupid games, and you win stupid prizes .”

155. “Call me Ms.Water gun cause I’ll squirt you like one.”

156. “ I would say I’m like the ocean, I’m calm and peaceful and you can see my beauty on the outside but the further you dive into me you learn not everything is as it seems uptop. I’m calm yes but even calming things can be dangerous, I have my flaws the further you go in and things that are best left at the bottom of my ocean depths but do know if you are to disturb that sea level be ready to face the Consequences.”

157. “ i’m not interested in being disrespected by someone who I lowered my standards for.”

158. “Shut the fuck up before I fold your lanky ass like a chair.”

159. “Listen here, Snotball, don’t bullshit me. I’m ain’t come here for your public-pleasing fake smile. “Go polish your skills instead of sucking my dick…”

160. “ Nana whipped them highschool kiddies asses into shape that day, oh yes she did. They met they maker on them steps I tell you, now go and and play with this old timer if you dear I’ll send that ass to the pearly gates or the flaming pits below.”

161. “Let my hands speak for me, smack talk.”

162. “Why be a wallflower when you can be a Venus fly trap?”

163. “Out here living like the main character because if I’m not the main character, I’m that one bitch that go berserk.”

164. “Food is fun, food is great, food is why we celebrate!”

165. “I want my next piercing to be a bullet. In my head."

166. “Okay, rude. You have the Eminem’s hairline, but I didn’t say anything about it!”

167. “If I’m die, then I wish to go out on my own terms, for I am like none other person on this earth.”

168. “Criminal or not. Sometimes it’s nice to be wanted.”

169. “When I said I fell in love with you I lied. I fell in love with your entire existence, I would cry for you, I would kill for you, I would die for you. “

170. “Life is just a big movie, you just can’t pick your genre.”

[hotforharrison]

I initially missed the public records update document, but as of this afternoon, all of the divorce documents have been filed with the court. The final decree has been sent to the judge to go over. They told me to call back this coming week to check if she signed it.

My only concern about her signing it is that my ex-husband gets the house. We couldn't afford a lawyer, so we've just had a verbal agreement that we plan on getting onto paper and notarized that I can stay here without paying rent or utilities for a few years while I get my life sorted out (find a secure and stable job that pays enough that I can live on and pay off my debt), in lieu of selling the house and getting half. I'm also not asking him for spousal support.

Yesterday was the 14th anniversary of the day we got engaged, all of four days before we got married back in 2010. Monday would have been our 14th wedding anniversary. It would be kind of ironic if the judge signs the decree on Monday, the beginning and the end on September 16.

One of my cats, Indy, has an open wound on his ear that I'm hoping I don't have to take him to the vet for. (I will if it is necessary, though. I talked to my ex-husband about it, and he came over and looked at Indy's ear himself to see what he thought. We adopted Indy when he was 11 weeks old in July 2015. He's not just "my" cat.)

I've been flushing Indy's wound with saline 3 times a day. It had scabbed over. He's been wearing a cone I got on Amazon that's made of foam material and seems to be comfortable for him. However, during a much needed nap I took earlier, his ginger brother, Ripley, licked the scab off and cleaned the area, opening it back up. I wasn't happy.

I have a Litter Robot and a regular litter box. Indy can't use the Litter Robot because of the cone not fitting through the entrance. Ripley can't use the Litter Robot because he is chonky and can't fit inside very well. (I'm trying to work on that, but there's a major issue of my third cat, Little Kitty, not wanting to eat on a schedule. She goes on a hunger strike when the food isn't free fed.)

My mom was kind enough to get me a regular litter box and some extra litter and wound wash on Amazon to be overnight delivered between 4am and 8am, so I can tend to Indy's wound better and separate Indy and Ripley when I'm not able to supervise them.

The state vocational rehabilitation program was supposed to pay for my tuition for my medical billing and coding program. They have not done that yet. I have an appointment next week with the counselor there to discuss that, but it's really stressing me out because I don't have $12,000 sitting around to pay for the tuition before the deadline.

Anyway, combining those things, I am coping poorly. I did manage to get my coursework done for the week, though, by some small miracle. It was kind of a lot, since the modules are only 8 weeks long over the course of 12 months. The program has a shorter length but larger load. I needed it that way because I'm operating on a deadline.

School is my overall highest priority right now, securing my future. I only have a few years to sort my life out before I have to pay for rent and utilities.

I'm not sue where I'll end up after the period of not paying rent or utilities ends. Maybe here, if I can find roommate(s) and afford it.

Rent has gone up astronomically since my ex-husband and I rented in 2013. Our very nice and large 2 bedroom was $900 a month then.

Now, that gets you a much less nice studio or MAYBE a one bedroom in this area.

My primary concern is the roommate(s) situation.

I'm not going to rush to move in with a guy because that's unwise in a variety of ways. My ex-husband and I dated for over 3 years before we got married and moved in together. (Those things were tied together because he was lower enlisted in the Army at the time and had to be married to live off post.)

We had roommates twice during our time living together, and both situations panned out very poorly in terms of living up to the terms we set out and payment of rent -- especially the latter.

Our second roommate paid us rent exactly twice out of the ten months she was there, and we also paid for her moving costs because she was moving in with us from out of state. It was always one excuse after another, until we finally had enough and told her she had to find somewhere else to stay.

The clean up after she left of the room she rented plus the bathroom she used took me 16+ hours. It was disgusting. We let her use a very expensive and nice mattress that had been gifted to me when I got married, and she destroyed it. She didn't use sheets for some reason, and the smell was gag worthy and there were stains on it.

But I don't know if I'll be in a position to afford the full rent and utilities without a roommate.

The average Medical Billing And Coding Entry Level salary in Texas is $42,340 as of August 27, 2024, but the range typically falls between $38,329 and $46,557.

If I make on the lowest end of that, I can afford $950 a month in rent if 30% of my income goes to rent.

As far as staying in what used to be my martial home goes, if my ex-husband even charges me just the cost of the mortgage without any extra added on, that would be $300-400 more than I could afford if the roommate situation didn't work out.

I don't think he'd leave me homeless, but finding reliable roommate(s) would be extremely stressful, since it would ultimately be up to me to find them. I don't think he'd put up with a revolving door of me trying to find reliable roommate(s) and failing.

And I wouldn't blame him either. He eventually wanted to rent out this house long-term, and it shouldn't cost him money to rent it out. He should be bringing in a profit on a rental property.

I find myself wondering if maybe it would be "easier" to find a small one bedroom or studio where I don't have to worry about roommates causing me financial issues.

I don't know. My long-term plans are up in the air right now.

[beardedmrbean]

Several gold bars discovered by federal agents in Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez's residence as part of a high-profile bribery investigation can be traced to a violent robbery a decade ago.

According to a sprawling indictment unsealed by federal prosecutors in September, Menendez and his wife allegedly played a role in a years-long bribery scheme that involved the Egyptian government and local businessmen including Fred Daibes, a wealthy New Jersey real estate developer. Prosecutors revealed they retrieved multiple gold bars from Menendez's home which were allegedly used as payment in the scheme.

At least four of the gold bars discovered by investigators can be linked to Daibes, both because of their unique engraved serial numbers and thanks to court documents related to a 2013 robbery which Daibes was a victim of, an NBC New York investigation revealed Monday. In November 2013, four assailants beat and robbed Daibes at gunpoint in his Edgewater, New Jersey, apartment, stealing 22 gold bars, jewelry and cash.

"Each gold bar has its own serial number," Daibes told local investigators in a 2014 transcript obtained by NBC New York. "They’re all stamped … you’ll never see two stamped the same way."

5 EXPLOSIVE REVELATIONS FROM DEM SEN BOB MENENDEZ'S BOMBSHELL FEDERAL INDICTMENT

Photographs released by the Department of Justice in September showing the gold bars discovered at Menendez's home, for example, reveal one of the bars has a serial number of "590005." Daibes reported a gold bar with that same serial number stolen during the 2013 heist, NBC New York reported.

And the federal indictment notes that the serial numbers on the gold bars indicate they had previously been possessed by Daibes.

MSNBC'S ALICIA MENENDEZ ADDRESSES FATHER'S INDICTMENT: COLLEAGUES HAVE 'AGGRESSIVELY' COVERED

"A court-authorized search of the residence of Robert Menendez and Nadine Menendez, a/k/a ‘Nadine Arslanian,’ the defendants, revealed, among other things, approximately two one-kilogram gold bars and nine one-ounce gold bars that had serial numbers indicating they had previously been possessed by Fred Daibes, the defendant," the indictment states.

In addition, when Daibes reported the robbery to police in 2013, he said 22 gold bars had been taken. Similarly, the September indictment states that Daibes sold 22 gold bars to Wael Hana, another defendant allegedly implicated in the bribery scheme.

Police ultimately arrested and charged four individuals for robbing Daibes in 2013, according to local media reports. Then, in September 2015, the suspects all pled guilty and were ultimately sentenced to several months in prison.

Meanwhile, since the federal bribery indictment was unsealed earlier this year, Menendez has repeatedly asserted his innocence and remained in the Senate.

"The allegations leveled against me are just that, allegations," Menendez said Sept. 25. "For anyone who has known me throughout my 50 years of public service, they know I have always fought for what is right. My advocacy has always been grounded. And what I learned from growing up as the son of Cuban refugees, especially my mom, my hero, Evangelina Menendez. Everything I accomplished, I worked for despite the nay sayers and everyone who has underestimated me.

"I firmly believe that when all the facts are presented, not only will I be exonerated, but I still will be New Jersey’s senior senator," he added.  "The court of public opinion is no substitute for our revered justice system. We cannot set aside the presumption of innocence for political expediency when the harm is irrevocable."

[sca-nerd]

Ruby Joust

My Squire Brother, Marcus de Rath, was Knighted! Which was the whole reason I went. Ruby Joust is not usually on my calendar because it’s always ridiculously hot and miserable, and usually longer than a day trip drive that I’m comfortable with. I was not about to miss this event. So, under the guise of celebrating Sir William’s 5th anniversary of Knighthood, I grabbed the niece (who is also in the Household), the little old pupper ladies, booked a hotel room, drove 6 hours and proceeded to help hide EVERYTHING going on from Marcus until he could be put on Vigil on Saturday afternoon.

Traditionally, Ruby Joust tends to have god-awful weather; it’s usually swelteringly hot. 5 years ago, at Sir William’s Knighting, it was so oppressively hot my niece got heat stroke, and my phone died in the middle of recording the ceremony because it over heated. So when we were told, “You don’t want to miss Ruby this year” (which is code for get your ass to this event/Court, something is happening in our Household) I knew I was gonna book a hotel room. I wasn’t going to mess around this year.

My biggest concern was the dogs. Because of extenuating circumstances, I wasn’t able to leave them behind and so at 15½ and 14, they went to their first SCA event. I knew Tipitiwitchit would thrive, because she is social, curious and everyone is friend-shaped. Daisy is the one I was concerned about. Daisy is skittish and shy around people, even if she knows them, and will sometimes try to intimidate other dogs (she was attacked once and had 12 stitches), and so she sometimes barks and charges other dogs when she first meets them. When we meet new dogs, we always take precautions with her for that reason. She’s never hurt anyone, but we aren’t willing to risk that ONE TIME she does.

At home, Daisy is so noisy and bossy and has such a BIG personality; we joke that she is secretly a Mafia Boss. Around people or in new places she gets shy, reserved, hesitant, sometimes quiet, and will usually just hide in my lap or want to be carried everywhere. Going into this, I knew she would need extra care. I had prepared her own space so she could be comfortable, I warned folks I would be going to the hotel if things got too hot or too much for the dogs, and everyone who knows Daisy knew that she would be a little bit overwhelmed.

I don’t know what dog I brought to Ruby Joust, because it was not Daisy.

This. Bitch. We had literally JUST arrived on site and she walked straight up to people she didn’t know. She let complete strangers pet her without shying away or me having to stand with her. She FOLLOWED people like she was going with them. “Bye mom, gonna hang out with my new friends,” kind of followed. She let people HOLD HER. And she didn’t try to get away, wiggle to be let down, or try to stretch to me to take her from them. I have never seen a guy hold her, and she let TWO of them do it while being perfectly content. She didn’t bark once. Not once. She is a yorkie/jack russell mix. She ALWAYS barks. I don’t think I heard her bark once from Friday morning to Monday morning.

She THRIVED. And in the process made me into a LIAR. “She’s skittish she won’t let you pet her,” LIE. “She won’t come to you if you call her,” LIE. “She doesn’t let other people hold her,” LIE. “She might bark at your dog,” LIE. If I had known she was a born Scadian, I would have brought her to events sooner!

She and Tipi also got to be part of the procession into Court when Marcus was summoned, which was a lot of fun. Now I wish that I had made them SOME sort of Household garb or a bandana at the very least. Next time, I guess, because they had a lot of fun and so I will definitely take them to another event soon (when the weather is more comfortable for them).

Speaking of the weather, we had GORGEOUS weather. There was a cold front pushing through, so it was in the low 70’s with no humidity, some cloud cover, and a nice breeze the whole time. We broke down early on Sunday morning so none of the canvas got wet in the anticipated rain, and then I left after the Knighting. If I stood still for longer than a minute, both dogs were asleep on the grass – so I knew they were done. We were probably about 20 minutes on the road when the rain hit, so it was a good call to break down when we did.

The Knighting was beautiful. Marcus and his Lady looked incredible. The speech for the chain, the spurs, and the belt (the sword presenter left ahead of the anticipated rain), were beautiful. He received a belt that had belonged to our Knight’s Knight – Sir Kane. It was an emotional time; the culmination of years of hard work and growth, and I am so honored to have been able to witness it and to be a part of it. I am so proud of him and deeply grateful to be able to call him my Brother.

Vivat, Sir Marcus de Rath.

OH. Nearly forgot one of my favorite parts: THEY PUT A BATTLE YORKIE ON HIS SCROLL. I have to get a picture of it, because I died a little when I saw it.

[coochiequeens]

Yes the mom didn't want her son harassed but the other parents had a right to know that their daughters were sharing a locker room with a bio male and faced an increased risk of injury

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article282653578.html

Mom at heart of Broward transgender athlete controversy: My daughter was wrongly outed

Brittany Wallman

Mon, December 4, 2023 at 1:52 PM EST·3 min read

One of five Monarch High School employees whose jobs are on the line for letting a transgender girl play on a female volleyball team criticized officials Monday for outing the student — who is also her daughter.

Jessica Norton, an information technology worker at the high school in Coconut Creek, issued a public statement Monday thanking the community for its support and identifying herself as the mother of the transgender athlete. In her statement, she said that “forced outing, particularly of a child, is a direct attempt to endanger the person.”

Though the athlete was not identified by name by state or local officials, her identity became clear at Monarch, her coach said Monday. Norton and four others, including the principal, were shifted to jobs off campus last week as the Broward County School District investigates the apparent breach of state law that says a person born biologically male may not play on a female sports team in secondary public school in Florida.

Norton’s daughter was born male but has identified as a girl since before elementary school. She took testosterone blockers at age 11, and is on estrogen now to experience puberty as a female, according to related court documents.

Norton is a volleyball coach at Monarch but did not coach her daughter this year.

“The outpouring of love and support from our community this past week has been inspiring, selfless and brave. Watching our community’s resistance and display of love has been so joyous for our family — the light leading us through this darkness. I want everyone to know that we see you, and we are so grateful for you,” Norton said in a statement released Monday by the national Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group.

“A lot of things were taken from my family this week — our privacy, sense of safety, and right to self-determination,” Norton’s statement says. “There is a long history in this country of outing people against their will — forced outing, particularly of a child, is a direct attempt to endanger the person being outed. We kindly ask everyone to respect our family’s privacy, and to give our family the space we need to speak to our experience on our own terms and timeline.”

Norton’s daughter, a sophomore at the school, played on the varsity volleyball team the past two years.

The Norton family sued the school district and state officials in 2021 in hopes the law would be found unconstitutional and she could play high school sports. The Human Rights Campaign provided legal representation. A judge ruled against the family in November, though allowing time for the lawsuit to be amended.

The Miami Herald is not identifying the student. But the Human Rights Campaign’s deputy director of communications, Aryn Fields, said the family consented to having Norton’s name and relationship to the athlete published because “they’ve already been outed to their community.”

The student’s varsity coach, Alex Burgess, said he was not aware she was transgender until the school district’s investigation.

Burgess, a 21-year-old former player at Monarch, was not a full-time staffer, but is among the five under investigation. He said he was told not to return to campus. The volleyball season is over.

“I had no clue,” he said Monday. “I guess there was some people who already knew, but I guess whoever came in to kind of investigate kind of pointed fingers at her.”

The school district’s handling of the case drew criticism from the organization Safe Schools South Florida. The district did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“The potential inadvertent outing of a minor, who may not have publicly disclosed their transgender status, is deeply troubling,” Scott Galvin, the organization’s executive director and a North Miami city councilman, said in a written statement last week. “Such actions can inflict irreversible psychological harm and betray the trust that every student should have in their educational institution.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Fairness In Women’s Sports Act into law in 2021.