Safe? Yes. Wouldn't have returned otherwise. But living here is not my first choice. However, living with 2 teenagers in a small apartment (nice, but small) presents a few challenges. Life at the Goldeylox Pad... Now keep in mind, I had a TRO (which was modified to a no-contact order in court) so only a half-dozen or so people even had my address and/or phone number. I also had a boatload of assumptions and was totally unprepared for reality. Assumption #1 - S19 was in his first year at school, living on-campus just across town. He and I are close. Never had a moment of trouble with him. When looking for an apartment, it never entered my mind that he would prefer to stay with H. He refused to even spend the night there. Assumption #2 - S16 and D13 would grow to accept that living in an apartment for a few months would be an improvement over the constant tension at the house. Wrong again. Counseling was great for helping D13 find her voice, and she used it! I didn't know she could use such language! Assumption #3 - Our friends would stay out of it. (Secretly I hoped a couple would even see things my way). Nope, to the contrary, friends invited H out to keep his spirits up, and my calls went unreturned. Assumptions #4 - #99 are all variations on the same theme. I knew it was going to be hard on the kids. I even expected some rebellion. Not a mutiny. I'm pausing for a dinner break but I'll be back. Peace.
