Page 38 of Absolution

“This has got to be some kind of mistake,” I tell myself, as I search through my contacts and click on my caseworker’s number.

“Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. How may I direct your call?” the operator answers. I ask for Nicole, and I’m immediately transferred to her.

“This is Nicole Wild. How can I help you?” she answers automatically.

“Hi Nicole, it’s Erica Delmont,” I hurriedly state. “Listen, I just got a voicemail from the family court office regarding a court date for my application for Asher next week. Is that correct?”

“Let me pull up your file,” she casually responds. I hear her clicking on her computer, before she comes back onto the line. “Yup, that’s right. Next Friday morning. Do you have a conflict with the time?”

“As a matter of fact, I do. I don’t understand how I could have a court date if the paperwork and the payment to get a court date are still sitting on my coffee table at home. How is that even possible?”

“Oh, your husband dropped it off to me a few days ago.”

“My what?”

“Your husband. He came by the office on Monday, and dropped off the completed application, your marriage license, and the payment for the court filing.”

“That son of a bitch!” I seethe into the receiver.

“Is everything okay, Mrs. Azzo?”

Azzo? That’s his last name? Oh dear god, I don’t even know his real first name. How in the fucking hell did he do this? How is this even possible?

“Mrs. Azzo. Are you still there?”

I see red, but I find the power to answer her without shattering my phone in the process.

“Yes, I’m here. I was unaware that my husband did that. Let me check my work schedule, and I will get back with you if there are any problems.”

“Sounds good. Congratulations on your marriage,” she says, before ending the call.

When I get my hands on that asshole, I am going to murder him. I don’t even care that I will go to jail because I think the judge would rule it a justified killing for marrying me without my fucking knowledge.

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