Chapter 13
Apartment still dark when I woke. Daniel's side of closet empty. No note. Legal aid packet spread across desk, paper-clipped guide on top, his petition underneath. My dress from Valentine night hung on closet door, red satin catching gray light. I didn't touch it.
I made coffee, sat at desk, opened laptop. Cursor blinked on blank document. My hands shook, then steadied.
I told myself I wouldn't beg him to withdraw. I would answer.
I typed header first: my name, case number, county. Then response paragraph by paragraph.
First cause: contested separation date. He'd listed January 2nd. I changed it to February 14th - Valentine night, restaurant, before his paperwork line. That date mattered. Difference between months he'd lived like we were ending and night he decided for me.
Second cause: opposed interim vacate demand. I wrote plain language: I pay half rent, lease in both names until June, no safety cause stated, request to deny exclusive possession. Requested mediation instead. No accusations. Only facts.
May you like
I read draft three times. Deleted sentence about boss. Deleted sentence about roses. Left only what clerk could file.
Phone buzzed - reminder from clinic shift tonight. I ignored it. Saved document as Response_Draft_0315.pdf. Printed two copies on apartment printer. Ink low, second page striped pale gray. I reprinted second page. Ponytail: kept response narrow to date and housing, skipped property division - add when mediation requires it.
