“For one, we had a place to stay. We didn’t sleep on my brother’s couch for the last two months, that’s for sure. And that’s only because Tim allowed us into his home. He also paid for EVERYTHING Ava and I needed, since he closed our joint account! Without Tim, we would have been completely lost!”
That was news to me. And, apparently, for the counselor as well.
“He ... what? Aaron, you left your Wife and Daughter penniless?” She sounded genuinely astounded.
“Yes, he did!” Mom answered for Aaron. “His exact words were ‘Let’s see how long you can hold out without my support’. He thought he could force us to come crawl back this way. But, surprise, I didn’t even have to ask Tim for help. He himself offered it before I could even gather the courage to ask even more of him. He’s even offered to pay for my college courses, so I can finally get a job myself!”
“Excuse me, Claire, but ... how is Tim paying for all of that? Isn’t he still in high school?” I heard the counselor ask in doubt. Surprisingly, I was more confused by her constantly calling them by their first names than irritated about being doubted.
“He’s affording this by working his butt off. My boy leaves for school at seven in the morning, and comes home from work at eight in the evening. At the earliest! He’s more of a Man than my husband when it comes to taking care of his family, and that’s after what we put him through! The least you could do is to acknowledge his achievements, Aaron! But, no, you keep making fun of his job because it’s in IT. Not that it would make a difference anyway.”
I smirked at that jab against Aaron, but I was happy about something else. Yes, Mom was placing blame on Aaron, but that was for not wanting to work on our relationship. And, even in front of a stranger, she fully admitted her part in all this, defended me, and put me above her husband. At that moment, I clearly felt my affection for her regrow.
“What do you mean, Claire? It wouldn’t make a difference?” Aaron asked, I thought he sounded a little scared.
“Aaron, our boy was shot! And you CHOSE to not tell any of us and leave him all alone in the hospital!” Mom’s voice was trembling at this point. Whether from anger or sadness, I couldn’t possibly tell. “That showed me a side of you I could never accept. I could never live with a man who would do THAT to his own child. I don’t think I could ever forgive you for that.”
What followed was a moment of silence on their part. It was actually so long that I checked my internet connection. Then came the surprise, when I heard the counselor sigh.
“This was only the tenth of our twelve sessions, but I will inform the judge that I don’t see any possibility for reconciliation. What Claire just told you is, in my opinion, not something she can move past.” Then I heard the counselor sigh before she continued. “I have to tell you that my letter for the judge will include the reason for why I reached that conclusion.”
