A JUDICIAL TERROR IN TEXAS

Chapter 13

THE DARK CLOUD BURSTS WITH A WRATH

A knock at the door, Rick and sis were there, at the folk’s place. The visit was unannounced. I saw a problem all over their faces. I knew that cloud had burst open, to what extent I had no idea. Mother, bless her heart, was so thrilled to see them and completely unaware. I went to my room to pray, giving them some time with mother. How they held up so long, I’ll never know. I braced myself and finally joined them. I hugged Rick and whispered in his ear, asking if he wanted to talk alone or visit with mother. Mother finally caught on to the fact, something was very wrong. Rick started trembling all over and Lori spoke up, saying they had something they had to tell us.

He broke our hearts with his shaky voice. Fighting tears, he attempted to explain what all had happened. It took over six hours to finish the nightmare and for us to absorb what we had just heard. It sounded more like a horror movie than real life. He couldn’t go home or CPS would remove all the children! Had sis not been there with him, it might have taken days for Rick to get it all out.

Mother spoke up saying Sue had called her in January. The only time she had called in months. Her call disturbed mother greatly. Sue asked her about a refrigerator mother had bought from Rick years ago, when Sue and Rick moved south, into her mother’s house. Sue claimed that mother bought it on a contingency basis, that they could buy it back and apparently it was needed. Mother became angry telling her that no such deal had ever been made. Sue stressed to her that the sale was set up just as she declared. Mother let her know she purchased it from Rick, that Sue never had a thing to do with it. This was typical Sue, attempting to manipulate and control minds, but it didn’t work. Mother said she knew she angered Sue, but really didn’t care, then asked Rick if he was aware of it. Rick was quite perplexed, as he knew nothing about the call or the purpose of it. Scratching his head, Rick said he had no knowledge of their needing another refrigerator. I gathered she had been planning in advance, all along. This Sue I knew.

We begged Rick to share every detail he could. He began with the staggering story. It was like a horror novel. I told him I knew all he had been sharing with me about his concerns with her state of mind, but to proceed with the latest details. He described his last three days at home.

In mid March Rick had gotten home very late. Sue met him at the door yelling he was cheating on her, that she knew he had a girlfriend. You have to know my brother. He simply told her it was late, he was exhausted, and wanted shower and to go to bed. Asking, just when would he have time for an affair? Nothing more was said. A shower and on to bed in silence.

The next night, the same thing, but with a twist. Now he was gay and having an affair with BB.

Rick told her she has some serious problems, but that he was too tired to discuss such a ridiculous charge. He declared he was taking a shower and going to bed. Nothing more was said. Rick truly felt it was her depression and perhaps medication or the combination of the two. He said it was too wacky for him to even consider Sue believed those wild accusations.

The third night, the same thing. But, now she accused him of molesting his own son! This time my mild mannered, passive, easy going brother was none of these. He confessed in tears, how upon hearing the sick allegation, he lost it. He confessed he became so enraged, he  grabbed her around the neck, pushing her up against the wall, telling her in no uncertain terms, she was sick and come hell or high water, he was going to get her some professional help!

He was still torn up over his loss of control, with him physically touching her in anger. The allegations of having an affair and even being gay, he thought, were directly related to her state of mind, but to accuse him of such a despicable act? He wept, saying, he could not deal with this. The accusation had no rational explanation. This was far more serious than he imagined!

Rick didn’t work at all that weekend. He felt he needed to stay home with the family, talking to Sue, telling her the entire family was screwed up and they had to have some help. He told us he was amazed at how calm she was the whole weekend. Rick said, “Actually, the old Sue surfaced  but, even better.” And, that she finally agreed to counseling. Rick held himself largely to blame, in working such long hours. He felt he could have been more helpful to Sue. He said the weekend went very well, quiet and even tranquil, but determined not to relent on their getting professional help.

Monday morning, at the door on his way to work, he asked Sue, “Honey, what are you going to do today?” She replied she would find a Counselor and make an appointment. He was happier than he could recall that morning. It was a very short morning. His happiness became pointless before he would get out of the driveway. He just didn’t know it yet.

Within an hour of Rick’s arrival at the shop, Sue’s brother appeared with three large, black plastic trash bags, containing Rick’s personal effects and a message. “Rick, Sue said if you return home, the Department of Human Services, and CPS, will take the children out of the house!” Have you figured it out yet? It took three days to find the right button to push, his son! Now she could go forward with her plan. He literally gave her the weapon she needed. She found the right button to push! His son was his life, his weakest point, her winning weapon of choice. Let the games begin!

Rick went to Lori’s place and called Sue for an explanation. He called her numerous times to at least check on the children. At first she was nice, but wouldn’t answer any questions about what happened. She said he couldn’t come around or they would lose the children, but met him at various places for visits. He couldn’t figure out which side she was on. She loved him, but things got out of control. A walking, talking enigma, armed and dangerous!

We spoke for hours. I knew Rick was still in shock. I decided I would return with them if only to support him in this nightmare. He told me he thought I was the only one that could truly see through Sue. And oh, how he wished he had listened to me. Did I know? Yes. Did I want to be right? No! Oh Lord, I would’ve done just about anything to be wrong! Oh how I would have loved being wrong. So often I prayed to be proven wrong. In matters like these, who would want to be right? I’m talking about five innocent children, a father, (my brother) and his chosen love, with a scared mother/gran