The Mom Diaries

Chapter 1 

How It All Started!

Never in my wildest dreams would have thought that I would have become a Mom let alone have a amzing life of adventure with them. But it's funny how life can change in an instant. Hell, I was married twenty years and come home one day to find out I replaced by a newer and younger model.  Now I am not going to pretend I knew we were having problems. However, I honestly thought those problems were working themselves out. Nope, I was a fool and walked in and found them in the guest room. I was so stupid. Later that day I called my cousin and he told me to take my kids and move into the cottage on his property until I could get my life together.  I think he was worried that I might do something stupid.

That night my husband stayed locked in the guest room, I started thinking long and hard about my cousins offer. I went into my closet and pulled out a suitcase then i decided to go to the garage and pull a couple of empty boxes I had in there as well. I went back to my room and locked my door, then I started to sort my life. I went into the closet and started pulling clothes out of the closet. I started packing the cloths I would wear now what i would pack to bring and what was being donated. it took me a little time but I finished the first half of my closet when i heard a knock at the door.

"Tabitha why is this door locked?" Chris called.

"Because you ass, I don't want you in here." I said, pushing the suitcase into the closet. "Its late Chris go back to the guest room, I do not want to deal with your crap."

"Tabs I made a mistake," He pleaded through the door. "Please let me in and make it up to you."

I looked at the twins laying in my bed and I knew I could get them through this. "Chris there is nothing to make up you are gonna leave me alone. I am gonna keep the door locked tonight if you are so lonely go to your girl friends house because you lost any chance of making things up to me ever again."

I heard him stomp down the hall and the guest room door slam. I continued to pack my stuff up until almost 1 in the morning. I took a shower and climbed into bed next to my twins and fell asleep.

I woke up the next morning with my cell phone being spammed with messages galore. The first one was from Chris with the message of  'I am out of town till sat, we will talk when I get back'. The second one was from my cousin and his wife, "wake up bitch and open your door.' I climbed out of bed and went to open the door. As soon as I did I was sandwiched between two sets of arms.

Then Cara stretched her arms and looked at me, "Well how much are you moving to the cottage and what can we do to help you move?"

I smiled and looked at her and said, "Well first thing I need coffee. Second thing we need to get the babies somewhere as i am not having them underfoot while i sort donate and pack. Third how empty is the cottage and is there room for all my stuff?"

Max started laughing, "Well the cottage is empty except for that massive desk in the office. But i know you freelance and there is plenty of room in that closet for storage. The other rooms are empty we have just been running the power on a cool setting and we mop and dust weekly. Are you going to be okay doing this?"

I laughed, "Financially, i have tucked money away for months now because i had suspected Chris has been unfaithful. I have a bit money tucked aside from when mom and dad died and i never did tell Chris about it. Its the same account that i tuck money in each time he gave me the bill and household allowence. Also I write and freelance plus my blog and unless its a gift for Chris I have not touched that money since. I guess will have to be careful with what i take from here as he owns the house. So i guess I will talk to a lawyer this week while he is gone."

Cara sighed as she was making coffee in the kitchen, "  i know a lawyer who is a friend we will call her in a bit. I just messaaged MIMI and she said bring the kids over she will watch them while we handle stuff here. Have you started anything wit packing?"

"I started my closet last night when he wanted to make stuff up to me. I locked the kids and I in the master bedroom when it was their bed time and they fell asleep. I guess its time to wake them up and get them ready for MIMIs"

"Mimi said bring them over she is gonan make breakfast for them and we will grab stuff on the way back after we get more boxes."

"OMG Aunti Cara is here!!" I looked up to see my three year old Charlie run to her favorite auntie. Then i saw Artie running to Max.

"Well good morning you two guess what we need to go get ready because you guys are going to visit Mimi today as we are going to start a adventure this week. We are going to move into the cottage at Max and Caras house."

"Is daddy coming?" Charlie asked.

"No sweetie," I said. "You will see daddy when he wants to visit but this adventure is just for us. But do not worry all your stuff will be coming over."

Both Charlie and Artie held hands and artie asked, "Can we share a room still? Daddy wanted us in 2 rooms but we don't want to."

"Oh babies," I said hugging them, "you will be able to share a room as long as you want."

They both smiled and Charlie said, "Come on Artie we need to go see MIMI. We need to wear Red its Mimi's favorite color."

Cara quietly said, "Well that was easier than i thought it would be."

Max cleared his throat and handed me a set of keys, "you have 6 months rent free, after that we will start a rent price thats low and work up every few months. But you two do not get into trouble i have to get to the shop."

"That man runs faster than anything when it comes to any sort of cleaning and packing," Cara laughed. Turning to me she asked, "So what did you pack last night?"

"The first half of closet one in my room as well as some of the linens and blankets that was in boxes. I do have 4 donate boxes a box with garbage and 6 suitcases taht need to go to the new place. They all have the cloths, shoes and accessories i want to keep so far."

"Well lets get the suitcases in the van and then you can store them there and unpack the cloths and such. Lets put the donation stuff in my truck as Matties school is accepting stuff for the comunity yard sale. When my car fills up i can drop it off and come back while we continue to go through stuff.  I would suggest we start with your outdoor sheds once we unpack what you already went through because you know you will never be able to unpack with the little ones around. How full are the sheds anyway?

"They are all full to the brim. We will be sorting a lot of stuff. Some of its stuff Chris would not let me have in the house. Some of its the stuff for the kids as they grow. I think we should get totes as well as boxes to store the stuff that i need."

"Okay we can stop at Lowes on the way back from the cottage. Only problem with the cottage is the garage is not a real garage its just a 8 by 10 foot storage area with shelves and room for your washer and dryer." She laughed, "I helped you move in i guess its help you move out as well. When does Chris come home?"

"He said he comes home sometime Saturday." I laughed, "Well we will be out by Friday night I hope."

"I am off the week to help you. We will do the areas you can't while the kids are home and Mimi said she will help all week watch the kids at her house. No way you will get much done with two three year olds running a muck. I also know Max will be back at 4 to move big furniture over as well."

"We are ready lets go see Mimi."

Cara loaded up the kids as I grabbed all my suitcases that were ready to go to the new place. It broke me that this is what my marriage came to but I had money saved and i will make it through. I just hope when Chris gets home all hell doesn't break loose.

Cara and I dropped Arti and Charlie off at Mimi's house and we drove to the cottage Almost halfway there told me to pull over as she had something to tell me.

"You okay Cara?"

"Oh yeah I just needed to let you know on the lot that is next to the cottage our friend Scott is staying in his RV. He and his wife split up and we are letting him hide out there as she is crazy."

"Okay I understand."

Cara laughed, "No when you see his RV you will understand. It is hidden under the massice oaks on the property and has some camo cover over it as she is flipping crazy. He is a friend and we are renting him the lot for his RV. But incase you saw him as he runs with his dogs around nigt time we didn't want to scare you."

"Okay np."

"Okay, lets get going and get this stuff unpacked. Maybe we can get the sheds all knocked out today. Also think about what furniture in the house you want Max to move here today he will probably have Billy with him. Then after the kids go to bed tonight you can sort stuff in the house to free furniture up if you are taking it "

We pulled up the road to the cottage and i saw the RV as i turned the corner. At least I know I will have a neighbor close by in case of a emergency. We pulled up and grabbed the suitcases. I unlocked the door and smelled the scent of lemon. Cara knows how much i love lemon. She pointed out all the storage and cabinets in all the rooms and took me to my room.

"Now this room has two big closets one that is just for hanging and the other that has handing and shelves. So its up to you where you want to put everything. The closet in your office is also huge as well."

We got to work hanging my special clothes in the hanging closet by type and sorting my normal clothes and everything else on shelves and hanging.  We combined the suitcases and were out the door. On the way back to my house we stopped at lowes and purchased totes and some more boxes for the move. We pulled the van around the back of the house and up to the furthest shed. Cara ran around front and grabbed her car to add all the donation stuff to as well. We set up a long table i used for parties and made 4 sections, Garbage, keep, store, donate. Then we began. The first sed was stuff that Chris made me store out here when my parents passed away. It was bitter sweet for me as we were sorting thier life but to be honest what did i need all these cloths for. We did sort and I kept a few items for me to wear to remember my mom and dad. Before I knew it Caras car was full to the brim. She headed out and i started going through box after box.  By the time Cara got back with the first trip she had two trips worth of stuff waiting to go. Mom and dad would have been happy to know what I wasn't keeping to use would be going to the school charity sale.

When we got to the halfway point i discovered mom and dads antiques. I grabbed my phone and called a friend who owned an antique store and told her if she wanted first dibs bring cash and get over here as its gonna be put up for sale in a hour. She bought her truck and two guys and helped me move it aside as we sorted. By the time Max got there I had a few thousand dollers in my pocket and he had a truck load of furniture to bring that i decided to keep and use in my home.

I saw Maxes face as he saw my dads tool chest. I put my hand on his arm and said, "That doesn't go to my house Max. That is yours I know Dad and you spent a lot of time in the garage working on your car together. Your the only person who could take that and the tools."

Max opened the drawers and saw that they were just like dad had always stored them. We rolled them up the ramp and he secured the box. He laughed as he started loading the other furniture as it said on the tags which room or office they were to go into. I loaded the boxes of small things for Cara and I to unpack tomorrow and took all the linens from the shed I am keeping and added them to the growing laundry pile. Shed 1 was complete and it was only 1 PM. We opened the next shed and there infront of me was my college days.Cara and I made quick work of the furniture as except for 2 peices we called the school to come pick up more stuff as we had furniture to give. By the time they called Cara's phone we had not only furnature but a mass amount of boxes for them as well. I also discovered my garbage man was gonna hate me by the time we finished. By the time Max made it back I had only 3 more peices of furnature for my new place and my van was packed with items to bring over. I threw a load of laundry on and followed Max and Cara to the school and followed them back to my place. It was 6pm by the time we got to Mimi's to pick up the twins and Cara said she would be at the house to help me again tomorrow.

That night i was telling the twins how things were at our new home and how things will be new and different for a while. They said it was okay and they were happy that we would be together and they were able to share a room together. I watched my babies fall sleep in my bed and i went to their room and decided tomorrow would be the day i had their beds and dressors taken over. I sat on a bar stool in their closet and started the task of sorting their cloths.

The next morning Cara showed up and said today we start the attic and garage. She grabbed my car keys and took Charlie and Artie to Mimis house. I went into the garage and moved Chris car out so we would have room to move. I saw the tarp covering our old washer and dryer that Chris was supposed to donate, but decided to keep just in case I slid them against the wall and stuck a note on each of them that said Chris's stuff.  I pulled the robe to the attic down and climbed the steps up.  Cara walked in as i started throwing bags of god knows what down the opening. AFter about 10-15 bags i climbed down and laughed. Okay we start with these and set up our table from yesterday. There was a lot of the twins old cloths and mine and CHris's old things. All of Chris's old clothes i just chicked into the donation pile but i did keep some of the kids stuff for memories and added them to the keep me for when i grow up pile. Ten came my old clothes. I decided I will need business clothes if i start a new job so i went through and picked wat I wanted to keep that fit. By the time i fnished the bags Cara's car was full to the brim. I continued on while she was gone and we had the attic done by Lunch time and started in on the garage. By the time we finished the garage at 3 everything was washed and packed and ready to go to the new house as well as my washer, dryer and the kids furniture.
-----
While we were waiting for Max to arrive we started sorting things in the kitchen and when i opened the pantry Cara started laughing, "I know you like to be prepared but wow."

I started sorting and boxing up the spare canned food and looked at her and laughed. "Believe it or not this is Chris. The kids and I do not eat a lot of this so i think we are gonna donate what we will not use he cn go buy his own stuff when he gets home."

I was sorting as Cara started going through the kitchen cabinets asking who got what. We realized Max was running really late and Cara Called him. He said he had to get help to move the furniture and would be there soon. We sorted so much that Cara had a ton of stuff to bring to the school again as i continued on.

"Hey Tabs where are you?"

"In the Pantry Max, " I yelled adding more stuff to a donation box.

I walked out of the pantry and there was a handsome red-haired man walking into my kitchen. I looked over at Max and said, "Still sorting boss man. I think I will be doing this all night.'

Max laughed and said, "Well good news I am here for furniture and some clothes for the kids. Mimi said hurry up and get packed she will keep the kids all week.  So I am taking furniture, kids bag and coming back with dinner. Mimi is afraid if Chris gets back early he might go apeshit and call the police."

I laughed, "Yeah I am kinda worried about that as well."

Max looked at me and said, "Do you think he can become violent?"

I sighed, "Not as far as I know but Caras lawyer friend Kelly is coming here in the morning as we pack everything to start the divorce papers while we pack." 

"Okay if he tries something we will make sure things are handled.' Max followed with, "What furniture are we taking now?"

Cara ran upstairs to grab the clothes and I pointed to the pool house, "Everything on the patio and in the pool house with pink painter's tape. Cara and I already packed up the boxes as well and all that goes to the house Those are 2 more areas done. After that Its all the kids furniture and me sorting through the rooms to get everything else gone through to make sure I am not leaving any of my stuff."

After the guys left with the kids clothing I sat down for a moment and looked at Cara. I think we need to get the kids room done today. If Chris comes home early I want to make sue the kids stuff is gone. We abandoned the kitchen and went upstairs to the kids room I looked at Cara and said, "Before the shit show started I had sorted all the clothes and toys so they all can be packed up." 

Cara make quick work of packing up the kids toys and books. I was almost done boxing the clothes in the closet when we heard the guys walked back in with mexican for dinner. Max was shocked that we changed rooms but after I explained why he understood. As we ate the Lawyer called and scheduled a appt to draw up papers on Thurs morning. After we ate the guys followed us upstairs and grabbed all the boxes and started taking all the kids furnature down to the truck and trailor. Before long we had packed up the kids closet and room and I shut that door with a resounding click. I said the bed in the second guest bedroom was mine for the house as well as the dressor and side tables and wardrobe. We cleaned up and went through all the other guest rooms and those rooms were done. Cara, Max and Scott left and when they did I walkd into the office and packed all my belongings that were in there. I decided since Chris had wanted the Brand new washer and dryer I loved the old ones to my pile in the Garage. I made quick work of cleaning out the laundry room and then the living room. That night I was happy to know even if Chris came home early than at least the important stuff is out of the house. 

The following morning when Cara arrived I had already cleared out pantry and left Chris some food. I also had cleaned out the dining room of what I wanted to keep. I also went through the kitchen and packed up what I would be keeping as I had a lot from my parents estate for the kitchen including my moms beloved cast iron. Cara whistled at the piles in the garage and laughed. I take it today is the day? I nodded and said sure is 3 rooms left. As we were cleaning Kelly came and did all the paperwork and aid she would call me on Friday morning with papers ready to be served. She understood that time was of the essense. I went into the bathroom and packed all of mine and the kids things. I emptied my dressor into boxes and the last thing I had to handle was my closet. Cara called max and told him we were ready and by 3pm that afternoon I had finished clearing all my belongings from the house. We made quick work of moving all the boxes to the rooms they needed to be in. 

Cara stood next to me and said, "Mimi said she is still going to keep the babies till Sat after Chris gets home. That way you can get everything unpacked and sorted. Are you sure you got everything out of the house?"

I squeezed her hand, "I sure did. Every important paper and picture I wanted. This has been draining and I am so thankful for your help these last few days. Tomorrow I meet with the lawyer and I will have papers to present to him when he comes home."

Cara left and I made a to do list. After I set up my bed and put on fresh sheets and a blanket I walked room to room. I had a bit of unpacking and organizing to do but I am glad this is done. I decided the first thing I needed to do was to head to the store and do a grocery haul for what the kids and I love to eat. I made sure the fridge and the mini freezer I had was plugged in and ready to go. Grabbing my bag I put the antique money in my purse and decided that I had enough time to deposit a good portion of it and use the rest to shop. 

In the bank parking lot I caught sight of a familiar car. I called Cara immediately, "You are never going to believe who is shopping at bath and bodyworks across from my bank."

I heard her gasp, "He is in town are you serious?"

"Yes I am watching him and his secretary cozy up and walk into albinos Mediterranean." I said, "All i wanted to do was get some shopping done. You know what I will call him let see what he says."

I called him and saw him walk outside, "Tabitha I was in a meeting are the kids okay."

Laughing I said, "Chris your at Albinos with Cathy your secretary. Wait here is a picture of you now."

"Tabitha I can explain---"

"Listen Chris I don't want to hear it you ended our marriage with this and there will be no discussing it. We will meet on Saturday afternoon to discuss the details. I am done," I said.

"Tabitha you can't afford the kids without me," He said.

"Chris I never hid my finances from freelancing we just always filed separately. I am lucky with that and my writing I have a nest egg. The kids and I will be fine," I said hanging up.

After that I went to a few stores to stock up on what I needed. First Hobby Lobby followed by the dollar tree and Aldi. I dashed through Sams club and then rounded out my day at publix and got sushi to end my day. By the time I sank into my bed after putting everything away I felt so much better about the future.

About 11pm that night my phone started ringing off the hook and I looked at the screen and saw it was Chris. I answered half asleep, "Hello?"

"Where the fuck are you? Who the hell said you can leave my house?" Chri yelled into the phone. I sat up and used the record feature on my phone to record the conversation.

"Chris lower your voice I am not tolerating you yelling at me," I said. "I told you yesterday when I caught you cheating on me that I moved out. As you have a chaotic work schedule the kids and I have our own place and I will have papers from my lawyer in the morning. My mail is being forwarded as I did a change of address and if you mess with that you can deal with the USPS. When we meet in a public place tomorrow, we will discuss your visitation with the kids. I have my finances ready to be submitted to the courts and I only took my stuff, the kids stuff and the bedroom set I paid for."

"You do not have permission to leave my house," He growled. "You will be in trouble if you and the kids do not come home now."

"Chris we are home," I said. "We are divorcing. You will have visitation with the kids based on all your business trips. Unless those trips were you just cheating on me."

"You bitch, How dare you tell me your divorcing me you washed up hag." He yelled. 

"Chris so you are aware you have been recorded since the beginning of this call. I am exhausted from moving and shopping to fill the house. If you look on your desk there is all your account cards in my name are in the envelope. I shut them off the day you left and used my money to move." I said, "Now I am hanging up and going to bed. Oh, and in case you decide to be a dick I already went to the sheriff department and let them know the kids and I are not missing I just moved out due to your infidelity. No need for wellness checks as I had a check in for the kids and I at 7pm this evening. I will meet you at chic fila at 1pm now good night I am hanging up."

"Tabitha don't you dare--" Click. I downloaded the file and thanked god my phone was always under my name. Chris had his business phone and he made sure I could never see the log. I turned over and went to sleep.

The next morning I woke up to knocking at the door. I sat up and called out, "One moment."

I pulled on my robe and went to the door. Looking outside I saw a police car. Opening the door I said, "Officer I am assuming my soon-to-be ex-husband called you after he was told I had already called and told you the children and I are okay?"

"Hi Tabitha," Officer Mitchel said. "He called this morning saying you had a fight and you left at midnight with the kids and did not come back."

I handed him my phone and said, "Listen to the file I have pulled up."

The officer listened and said, "Send that to this email. I am creating an incident report for you to give to your lawyer. I will also be having a conversation with Chris about filing a fake report and then this recording."

I smiled and thanked him as he handed me the incident report. After he left I went back inside and showered and got ready to meet Kelly. Heading to Kelly's office and walked in as she was saying goodbye to her earlier client. When I sat down I handed her the police report and sent her the recording of Chris's call. She sighed and said, "Did he really think you would tolerate being talked to like that?" 

I chuckled, "In our 10 years of marriage he never talked to me like that. Now the paperwork has everything in it?"

"Yes, the paperwork has everything in it. Child and spousal support. Now I know you did not want spousal support, but you do care for the kids, and you gave up your job to care for them. He chose to be unfaithful and that is on him." She said, "The more you ask for the more the judge can think about why you want it."

"Thank You Kelly I am meeting him soon and I want to hand him a copy. He thinks I am joking," I sighed.

"I feel for you Tabitha," She said. "You are aware that he might try fighting you for the kids."

"I am aware of that but I may have a few tricks up my sleeve," I said.

"Should I ask,' Kelly said.

"Sure," I said. "His company has a no fraternization rule with co-workers. If he wants to risk his job I will be glad to go to his boss. I am no longer being taken for a ride with this. He has never been a hands-on father and he and his secretary will lose their job if he wants to play games."

"Well let me know how that goes then," She said. "Here is your copy of the papers and here are Chris's papers as well. When my courthouse rep gets back I will send him immediately back to get an emergency injunction against Chris. He shot himself in the foot with a false police report."

I settled my bill with Kelly and left. I went to the local Panera and met Chris and when I turned the corner Cathy was sitting at the table with him.  Walking up I said, "Really Chris bringing your Mistress to your divorce meeting?"

Cathy went to speak and I sat down with my Coffee and said, "Listen Cathy it would be best if you remained quiet. This is not a negotiation I have pictures and security footage of you both in very compromising positions."

My phone beeped and I looked at the message from Kelly. It read "Filed and Injunction Granted."

Chris went to speak and I said to him, "Same goes for you, Chris. These are the divorce papers I had drawn up. My lawyer already submitted them and with the evidence presented there is a injunction against you. So this is done. Do you have any questions?"

"Wow, Tabitha you are taken a mis--"

"Chris stop the shit. I have the security videos from the house which show everything with you two and then the incident you started this morning." I said. "This is no longer he said she said.  If you like I can explain to your boss what is happening."

"Chris do something," Cathy said looking worried.

"Tabitha you wouldn't do that," He said.

"Do you want to try me," I said. "I have the HR number for your company and your boss's private number. If I have to make calls I will. Now those are your papers my lawyer's information is provided and after today all contact goes through them is that clear? Now if you will excuse me I have to go get a bit more household shopping done and then I am off to unpack everything so the kids feel at home."

Standing up I looked at Chris and he had a deer in the headlight look on his face. I walked out of the restaurant and headed to get the last few things I needed for the house. 

After an afternoon of shopping I went home and unloaded from the car when Cara pulled up. I waved grabbing the last few bags and said, "Hey Cara I was just getting ready to call Mimi and arrange getting the kids."

Cara laughed and said, "Girl I just came by to tell you Mimi is kidnapping them again tonight. She is in heaven having the kids there and asked me to say, "I will keep them till your unpacked. Love you and can't wait to see you."

"I owe Mimi big time you know," I said as I started putting things away.

"Tabitha Mimi is in her glory. She even said if you work outside the home she would babysit," Cara said.

"Well after I get the kids settled we will talk about that," I said. "First things first, time to get unpacked." I said as I started putting all the groceries and home items away.

Cara started laughing as she helped and said, "You sure like being prepared."

Sitting on a chair for a moment I said, "I think Chris is going to cause a war with this divorce. I am getting the house ready because I am guessing he will be calling DCF and I want no problems."

Cara sat across from me and said, "I got you. So lets get this house ready in case he decides to be a problem."

For the remainder of the afternoon Cara helped me unpack and at the end of the afternoon Max showed up to see if Cara and I wanted to go with him and Scott to the food truck rally in our historic downtown. I was weary of going out but Max said, "Cara you have been moving all week and dealing with a lot. Going out today would be good for you."

Looking up I said, "Food does sound good. I am starving and hopping between food trucks would be fun. Let me get ready."

Cara followed me into  the bathroom and we both washed up and got ready as I heard Max raid the fridge. He called out, "Cara you have my favorite beer!"

I yelled out the door saying, "I don't drink, I bought it for when you stop by."

I heard him open one and he called out, "I think I will like having my favorite cousin living up the road."

Cara and I laughed as we got ready. Putting on my running shoes I walked out and The guys were waiting. I asked if they wanted me to drive as I will not be drinking. Everyone agrees and we headed to the food truck rally. As we were driving Chris called my phone and I sent it to voicemail. When he called for the fourth time I pulled over and said, "What do you want Chris?"

Tabitha-Main  Chris-Exhusband Cara-Cousin Max-Caras Husband Scott-neighbor

Charlie and Artie- twins  billy-cousin

Kelly- Lawyer

Mimi- great aunt

Mattie- Cara and Max daughter

Cathy- Chris secretary and mistress

Officer Mitchel