Mom Lays Down The Law

Before Ace's dad went to get him from Georgia, I had contacted our local police to let them know Ace was on the way back. They thanked me and told me as soon as he got in town he was to be turned into their custody. Ace's dad didn't like that, but I said, "Oh well! It's too late to change what he's done. "

When I visited Ace after his return the counselors at that lock-up asked me to bring his dad in too, this way we could have a 'family meeting'. I had to beg and plead to get his dad (The Jerk/ T J) there. When we arrived, T J put on the biggest act of 'having it all together', I'd ever seen and the counselors fell for it. They talked only to him and ignored me like I wasn't even there, which upset me, because I was the custodial parent and the sane one. They told T J Ace needed some dress clothes for court, which was in two days. T J said, "But Ace doesn't have any good clothes." The answer he received was, "Get some!" and they exited the room.

Now Ace's dad had a job and money on him, but said I needed to buy the clothes. I did! Remember I get an allotted amount of money from SSI. Well, my child was in need and I knew Ace's father would never spend a cent on him, no matter how dire the situation. After we went to the mall and got the clothes, I was exhausted. So when we went to drop them off I stayed in the car and sent T J in. Come to find out T J took all the credit for shopping and buying the clothes. He also told Ace he'd see him in court the next day.

The next morning I woke early, got ready for court, rode three buses, pushed myself five blocks to get there and made it with time to spare. During my excruciatingly, long, 15 minute wait, I fidgeted and looked for T J, who was a no show.

They finally called Ace's court-case. Still no T J! I was furious! As I wheeled into a spot next to the defendant's table, I saw someone shuffling towards me, every mother's worst nightmare! It was my baby boy in shackles! He hugged me the best he could with angst in his eyes and said. "Where's Dad?" "I don't know honey?!" I answered. His countenance immediately changed from hope to sadness and my heart broke for him. See why I call my kid's dad 'The Jerk'?

The proceedings went along quite well. Then the judge turned to me and said, "You poor woman! You've obviously been through enough. I'll just send Asab home with you." Relief flooded Ace's face, but I was totally shocked! I rose my hand and said. "Your honor, please don't do that! My child needs to deal with the consequences to his actions or he'll never learn to be a good human being. Give him the sentence he deserves." The whole courtroom went silent and stared at the judge, except for Ace's piercing eyes of anger, which were slicing right through me. The judge said "Ma'am, You are a truly good mother. Most people would have taken their kid and run after a ruling like that. But you obviously care deeply for your son. Asab, I sentence you to youth prison for six months, if your mother agrees?" I shook my head up and down without making a sound, for fear of sobbing uncontrollably...

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6

I am blessed

Merrym Dawn Mathis Bruce