Malefactions

Agonies of the Heart

As I opened the front door to Sandra's red Ford Taurus I gave my best dramatic performance, "Can we please stop and get something greasy and super unhealthy to eat please?"  Sandra's little sister Chelsea who is kinda cute but uber obnoxious, had tagged along for the ride.  As she was climbing into the back seat she begrudgingly asked where we were going to eat. Chelsea is a bit of a picky eater you could say. I don't mean in the will only eat certain things way, but more like she will only eat what she thinks is healthy and wont make her fat. I don't think that she was as excited as I was about all the junk food I was about to consume. Arby's ended up being our compromise for my first meal as a recently freed individual. I don't think those golden little potato cakes have ever tasted so glorious!

After leaving the fast food joint we headed to Sandra's house. As I am not allowed to leave the county, Sandra said I could crash at her place if I wanted to. And since She is the only person I really know in the city I thought it best to take her up on the offer. Turns out I was lucky enough to bypass couch surfing and have my own room. Sandra and I decided that since I would be here for an indeterminate amount of time that I would find a job and just be her official roommate. Sandra gave me the same rules she has given everyone else who has ever lived with her. The first month rent is on her, after that I would be responsible for half the rent and utilities. She always gives her friends the first month free to find a job if they don't have one yet and to get on their feet.

Little did I know that Kansas City would become my new home. Now don't get me wrong I absolutely love Kansas City, it has its charms. KC is also known as the city of fountains and also has some amazing architecture throughout the city. The City also has a rich history steeped in Irish Culture, Jazz Music, Baseball traditions, and Black History. There could be worse places to be transplanted against ones will...I guess.

I have a week until my first court date. During these first few days I find the address for my court appointed attorney. Her name is Barbara Adams. "Great I've scored an attorney fresh out of school who is probably uber bogged down with cases!" Well, if it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any at all I think to myself. I arrive at the Law Office of Adams and Smith, it's not far from my new living arrangement. The office is located in an old victorian style house. It's nice that I'm not going to another cookie cutter attorneys office inside some business park setting. I check in with the receptionist at the desk sitting in what was once a family room. I wonder if a family actually ever lived in this house and if so what were they like. The receptionist picks up the phone and buzzes Mrs. Adams. "She will be out shortly" the young lady tells me. She gestures over towards a floral patterned love seat across the room, "You can have a seat if you would like. Would you care for some water or coffee while you wait?" I smile and politely reply "I would love some water, thank you." I take a seat on the small love seat that turns out to be quite comfy. The receptionist was kind enough to actually bring me the bottle of water. I stood and thanked her for the water. "Alex, I'm Barbra Adams" "Hello Ms. Adams, Im Alex. It's nice to meet you" "Likewise, lets step into my office please." My attorney is an older lady, she is direct, to the point. As I sit across from her in a brown leather chair I notice on her wall that she is well educated. Attending one of the Ivy league schools as an undergrad along with graduating from the ivy leagues law school as well. I think to myself whats the catch? Did I actually get lucky and score an awesome attorney and not some young gun straight out of school to busy to even pretend to care about my case?

"Okay Alex why don't we start at the beginning, Tell me in your words what took place."

As I sat across from her I started the basics of Anna's and my relationship. Anna and I had spent nine years together. We had met when we both were sixteen at a punk rock show. We bought a house together. It was this beautiful brand new three thousand square foot home that was built at the foot of the mountains. It even had this amazing fenced in back yard for when we decided to bring children into our lives. Eventually she and I adopted two kids together. Our first was our son Zach, then we adopted Sarah. They both were newborns when we adopted them.