There I was, walking down the hallway. I was confused, upset, and there were a million emotions going on inside my head. I didn’t think I had done anything wrong but there was always the possibility. I had only been called down to the principals office a few times in my life and it had never been because I had done something good.
I walked into the office and sat down. In the chair next to me was my mothers ex-boyfriend, who I hadn’t been in contact with for months. On the other side of the desk, sitting in her over sized-chair, was the principle of the school I had transferred to just months earlier. She informed me that my mother’s husband-to-be had phoned the school to inform them that they were not allowed to release me to anyone except him or my mother and that if they did, they would sue the school and press charges against whoever took me.
I was dumbstruck. My mother was getting married that night to a man who she had only known for a few months. She was in total denial at that point and seemed to ignore any sign that her new man was anything but perfect. In her 50 something year old eyes, she was “head over heels in love,” and nothing was going to prevent her from her ultimate goal of marriage.
My mother had been to the school earlier that day, and in the guidance office, agreed that I could spend the winter recess with her ex until the situation could be worked out, or in her mind, “I came to my senses.” It was quite obvious to me that after she had gone home and informed her betrothed of the news, and that he had felt threatened and the need to remedy the situation.
It was December 20th, the last day of school before the winter break, and I couldn’t go home.I could not face the pending nuptials and a life of abuse. The principle informed me that the only place I could legally go was a homeless shelter. There I sat with a choice. Should I go home or should I take a terrifying step toward the unknown. For me, there was no choice. I only had one option. I would never set foot inside my then home again.
