Well here I go again I thought to myself as the guard ordered me to place my hands through the slots so he could cuff them. After I stepped back, he opened the cell door and stepped in to put the ankle bracelets on. My third thirty days for contempt of court was done. It was time to see if another thirty days would be handed out by my good friend Judge Jayson.
Today would be hopefully be the last day I walked across the street from the country jail to the court. The only good things about doing the time here was I got a good night's sleep, free room and board and the meals were prepared fresh twice a day by Jack's family restaurant who always did it right. Thanks to Judge Jayson I had no place to sleep so serving time saved me a hotel bill for now. Even the YMCA didn't do it this good even though they both had free showers. Thanks to Judge Jayson I hadn't been allowed to even get my clothes out of my former residence because of his stupid ruling. Leading me off on our short walk the sheriff's department officer started to speak.
"How long are you going to let his go on Tom? It's killing me to see you sitting here." Bubba asked.
"Depends," I replied. "On what the good ole Judge has to say to me today."
"Look we both know that all you have to do is agree to pay the temporary child support to my sister until the divorce and custody is resolved" Bubba said. "We both know you can afford it."
"That's not the problem. Money never has been. The problem is and always will be our good old friend the Judge."
"You've been held for ninety days because you refuse to follow his orders and pay the money. So, quit being a shit head and explain what the problem is" Bubba asked in frustration.
"Judge Jayson himself." I laughed. "He should have excused himself from this case. Is the local newspapers court reporter going to be attending today?
"Yes, she is. I finally got that bewitching bitchy bitch to agree. Why is she so important to you? Having her in attendance just don't make sense there's nothing newsworthy about your divorce. I had to beg borrow and sell my soul to her to get her here. Do you know I had to listen to her bitch about her no-good husband and her anger with what he was doing to you? She said she wants a full detailed interview when you get released. I guess she'll want the juiciest details. Do you really want your sad sack story out?" Bubba stated with a smirk.
"When I get called up in front of Judge Jayson find a way to be in the court room.' I said with a laugh.
"Why?" Bubba replied.
"It's the only way you will find the answer to what you can't figure out. I said firmly. "Bubba you will have to hear it live in order for you to believe."
"What going to happen?" Bubba asked.
"I'm going to slap old Judge Jayson down in a way no one will see coming." I replied.
"Tom you hit him and I'm going to have to haul your ass back here till the state takes you?" Bubba warned me.
"Not the way I' m doing you won't." I laughed.
So, he lined me up with the other prisoners to begin the short walk across the street. It gave me time to gather my simple thoughts together. I had lots of time because I knew my friend Judge Jayson would clear most of the court room before he called me up. I was looking forward to seeing Susan again because I was worried about how she was holding up.
After taking my place in the prisoner's section in the divorce court beside the sheriff's department representative I noticed that Susan Roberts was present. Her Maiden name was Dixon. Her father is one of the few older men I considered a friend was still the biggest employer in our town. His factories ran seven days a week with three shifts making those generic pills we take for headaches and body pains of all sorts. I owned my own import business thanks to him and supplied his various factories with the chemicals and materials needed for him to manufacture with.
Not only was she Judge Jayson's wife but her body was swollen and round as if she was carrying a couple of basket balls. She was just one of those women who popped out as soon as she got knocked up. By the time she would be due most would believe she was majorly late. Her whole body glowed in a grace seen on very few. She besides me was the only person happy that my soon to be ex Linda had filed for divorce.
Just as I figured the court room was mostly empty by the time, I finally got called up by my good friend The Judge. As I walked up, I nodded my head towards Linda, Bubba and Linda's parents and mine who were mystified as to why I was behaving the way I was. It was just not like me not to follow court orders. It went against everything everyone had known about me. They couldn't comprehend how I could have such a shit ass ed grin on my face. Finally, I stood in front of my good old friend the Judge.
"Well Tom are you finally ready to quit being so mule headed? Do you agree to pay in full your court ordered interim support?" Judge Jayson asked sarcastically figuring once again that I would say no.
"I will agree your honor providing you will agree to a few of my conditions." I said with a very firm cold voice.