CHICO the fool -Legends of New York #2 (MC)

Chapter 1

"Unexpected events can set you up or set you back. It is all a matter of perspective."

Nari:

I think I am one of those annoying people who can easily say they LOVE their job.

Being able to make a positive impact on society and witnessing the changes in people's lives is incredibly rewarding. The ability to see transformations happening on the streets of New York just because of the work I do as a 28-year-old Social Worker fills me with overwhelming happiness.

However, there are moments where the reality of my job doesn't always align with my ethical beliefs, and it can just piss me off and make my blood boil to put it lightly. Just like the new case my boss assigned to me and I absolutely have to work on,  despite my reservations. It has stirred up conflicting emotions in me, as I try to figure out the complexities of family dynamics and legal disputes.

You see there is this father, Mr. John Ruditsky, a 40-year-old businessman, who is suing his ex-wife, Ms. Vivian Nilsson, who recently turned 30. The couple was married for four years, divorced two years ago, and have a son together, little George Ruditsky.The little boy is currently 5 years old.

This man is filing a lawsuit against his ex-wife, implying she is an unfit mother and seeking custody of their child. As a result, the State must assess whether this person's accusations are correct. The Social Worker that is assigned the case must evaluate whether Ms. Nilsson treats the little boy right, whether she is the best parental option and ascertain if the father's accusations are truthful. 

Since both parties involved reside in New York City, the Department of the Social Service that I work for is obliged to manage and oversee the entire evaluation process and also submit the necessary inquiry reports.

Ms. Vivian Nilsson, as her ex-husband mentioned in his statement, is a waitress in a night pub called the 'Placebo". She works from 10.00 p.m to 4.00 a.m and she is paid more than enough as her Tax Return shows. Mr. Ruditsky made it seem as if there was another reason why the woman was financially stable but his allegations meant nothing to me. The woman had a job, she was hard-working and was providing for her son. That is all that mattered in my book. Her mother, Mrs. Gilbert, looks after little George while Ms. Nilsson is at work. I am guessing the kid is sound asleep during those hours allowing the mother to still provide for her family while not missing any quality time with the child.

I have been a Social Worker for 5 years now so I had met men like John Ruditsky before. 

They carried themselves as if they were entitled to everything, even when they showed themselves at the Social Service's office. He probably thought he he was above the law so he couldn't believe the court actually granted the custody of the child to his mother. I could already tell that he was likely to be superficial and condescending based on what I had read on his backround check report. Therefore I was not anticipating our meeting in my office in 20 minutes with much enthusiasm.

"How is that new case going, Nari? Have you met the parents yet?"

I take my eyes of my PC screen and sigh lowly. Kane has been my colleague for 3 years now and he could always tell when I wasn't in the mood to meet someone.

"I have a meeting with the father in about ten minutes. He's trying to gain custody from his ex-wife just because she works at a club. And he's a casino owner, for crying out loud!" I vent, frustration evident in my voice.

"He's probably just trying to avoid paying child support or he's bitter about her leaving him. People like him usually only care about what's best for themselves, not the child," Kane remarks with a hint of cynicism and I nod in agreement.