Without telling me.
The detectives froze the bank account before they could move the money.
Neil and Jolie were arrested on the same afternoon. Forgery, identity theft, theft by deception, and filing false documents. Jolie was also charged for the fake driver’s license.
My children came home with me that night. I held Bella while she slept, and Hudson wouldn’t let go of my sleeve.
“Dad said you weren’t coming back,” Hudson whispered. “He said you liked rocks more than us.”
“Never,” I told him. “Not for one second.”
The court voided the sale. The Feltons’ money came back to them through the title insurance company. Carmen sent me a card. “We hope you get to keep every memory in that house.”
We did.
The judge gave me full custody. Neil was ordered to stay away from the children until his criminal case was over. He pleaded guilty in the spring.
Jolie’s lawyer asked me to write a letter to the judge asking for leniency.
I didn’t write it.
I still go into the field. Less often now. And when I do, my mother moves into the guest room and stays with the kids.
Last month, before a trip to Alaska, Hudson handed me a small rock he’d painted.
It said “COME HOME” in purple letters.
It lives in my backpack now. I take it everywhere.
THE END.
