And in the category of "Performance by an Asshole" the nomination goes to:

[beachlass]

My ex husband, for the following exchange

Ex: calling about travel arrangements for Youngest  Child today
Lass: information about road conditions where we life
Ex: tentative arrangement
Lass: agreed, call me when you're ready to leave the city
Ex: "I'm just wondering about our financial obligations to Eldest Child. I've just been informed she expects me to pay for her replacement passport"
Lass: I don't know what you mean, and yes, she is broke, and her passport needs to be rush replaced. I have no plans to cut her off, she`s only 19.
Ex: "But I'm wondering about our financial arrangement about her. Can I expect to see this money back"
Lass: I still don't know what you're talking about; if you expect her to pay you back, you should talk to her.
Ex: "I think we need to talk about the financial arrangement. I gave her $100 last week"
Lass: And I gave her $140 two days ago. She`s broke.
Ex: I`m wondering if I can expect you to pay me back for money I loan her....

Lass: *head explodes* If you aren`t willing to give her money, then you need to tell her that. And I will continue to financially support her and  we will deal with it. I don`t really understand what you`re asking me.

Ex: We just need to have a conversation about this. I don`t think I`m being unreasonable.
Lass: If you are expecting me to  raise Youngest Child on my own, with almost no support, and think that I have enough money floating around to help Eldest Child, and also pay you back for any money you loan her; that is not happening. I don`t have that kind of money.
Ex: I don`t know what you`re getting so upset about. I`m not being unreasonable. And you`re on speaker phone  in the car. 
Lass: *head exploding again*
Ex: It`s not like we ever shared finances equally in supporting Eldest Child (ed note: not a single fucking penny in child support because he opted to suddenly play the `just a stepfather` option) --- so I don`t see why we`d start now. We just need to talk about it.
Lass: Goodbye.


20 min later: text message from Youngest Child, asking if I`m okay
 

Comments

[kate]

*hugs*

I'm so sorry. :(

[beachlass]

Thanks dear.

[nezuko]

*FROTHS*

*incoherent*

Have you got a lawyer? Can you get a lawyer?

That man is just... He gives men a bad name. What a jerk. I'm so sorry for you and the kids. You all deserve so much better.

[beachlass]

So I pick up the boy from his dad, and manage that in the fewest possible words, AND refrain from throwing my latte in his face. Because really. The latte is probably almost as satisfying.

Boy gives me a big, big hard hug when he sees me. He is furious from overhearing the exchange. I guess he stopped talking and have his dad the silent treatment for a while. Because seriously. What the fuck.

Hilariously, idiot! Man sent my child support this morning, and followed up with an email checking that's I'd received it.

He seems to have no clue that anyone might be mad at him. Told me "everything was sorted b/c Modelling Agency had given the girl another advance".

I don't think I need a lawyer. I'm SERIOUSLY considering applying to the provincial programme that will determine the appropriate child support amount, pay me monthly, and chase him for payment. If only he had wages to garnish.

I love you lots and lots, and hope YOUR blood pressure recovers from reading this.

I called in "single parent" to my evening meeting last night; curled up on the couch with my boy and watched Community episodes until we went to bed.

[beachlass]

Actually, you know what? Fuck that.

I just spent the last 20 minutes reading the Ontario Family Law pages, and then made an appointment with a lawyer.

Thank you for prompting me.

[nezuko]

Good for you! If nothing else, they ought to be able to help on the child support front. That program sounds like a good one.