Emily and I have been married going on twelve years. I met her when I was on leave from boot camp. We just seemed to hit it right off, love at first sight, I guess. Her dad "The" Ralph Walton almost lost it when she brought me to their house. I was from the wrong side of the tracks and a fucking sailor to boot, it was too much for him. Emily and I stayed in touch till my next leave, then we ran off and got married.
She has been loving and supportive throughout my 12-year Navy career, providing me with three beautiful children. I spent a lot of time at sea, and Emily kept the home fires burning. Sue 4, Jeff 6 and Alex 8 kept me supplied with drawing and school papers, Fantastic kids that I loved dearly. Emily made sure they included me in their prayers at night. Emily wrote to me faithfully for almost 12 years now, suddenly the last two months of this cruise all mail stopped. Nothing from her or the kids.
When the ship tied up, I didn't see her on the pier. I was almost in a panic. I managed to get someone to drop me off at my house. I rushed up to the front door, it was locked, I dug out the spare key and entered. The house was deadly, still most of the furniture was gone. When I entered the kitchen, I saw a letter taped to the refrigerator.
"Dear Alex
I have met someone else and as you can see, I have left you. I have custody of the children.
Please don't bother looking for me or trying to contact me. You may keep the house and the car. I think I have made things as clear as I care to.
Goodbye, Alex "
I was shocked stunned, I called her mother.
"Mom what's happening?"
"I'm sorry Alex, I can't talk about it" and hung up on me.
I called my Mom.
"Oh, Alex I'm so sorry, Emily is here in town living with John Richardson, she is living on that huge estate and never comes out, I'm not allowed to visit the children."
"The son of a bitch can have her if that's what she wants, but he can't have my children."
So much for he can have her, I missed her terribly, but my pragmatic mind told me there was nothing I could do about her, she was a grown woman and had made her decisions.
How did all this come about? I sensed her father's hand in all this. I was at a loss as to what to do, I went to the base legal office seeking help. The young JAG officer(military lawyer) gave me the number of a lawyer out in town. I called and made an appointment, worried about what the cost might be.
When I entered his office, I could tell my his memorabilia that he was retired Navy. I noticed he had attained the rank of Admiral in the Jag corps. He pointed at a chair, "sit son"
"Yes Sir" I sat facing him.
"Just call me Rodger if you would."
"No sir, just wouldn't feel comfortable doing that, Admiral"
Letting it slide, "Ok young man, tell me your story."