Chapter 13 - The civil protection order
I obtained a longer-term protective order against Trent after a hearing.
Not forever.
One year initially.
No contact with me.
No entry onto my property.
No indirect harassment.
Exceptions through counsel for litigation.
Rachel was not included.
That surprised relatives.
“She took your phone.”
Yes.
“She helped him.”
In some ways.
“She stole money.”
She took money without permission.
Still.
A protective order is not a family-membership cancellation device.
I did not claim fear of physical violence from Rachel.
I claimed what evidence supported.
Trent’s lawyer did not meaningfully contest the no-contact condition after the footage.
He did contest distance restrictions broader than necessary.
The judge narrowed them.
Good.
Courts should tailor.
I hated seeing Trent across the courtroom.
He looked smaller.
Not physically.
In context.
No foyer.
No daughter beside him.
No six suitcases.
Just defendant table.
That should have satisfied some revenge instinct.
May you like
It did not.
Mostly I felt tired.
