Well, that was weird.
The letter was on the top of the stack in the mailbox. It was a thick envelope, formal looking. Through the window, I read my old name. My old married name. And under it, the name of my ex-husband. Both printed above my current address where I live with new name and my now husband.
Past, meet present.
My stomach dropped as I hurried into the house. I have been conditioned that any serious-looking mail with my ex-husband’s name on it is a sign of impending peril. Usually to my wallet.
I sat down on the living room floor and hurriedly opened the envelope while my pup tried to get my attention and my husband kissed the top of my head.
I had to read the cover letter a few times to understand what it was about.
Basically, there is a chance that I may receive some money from a lawsuit against my former mortgage holder because of how they dealt with foreclosures. I ended up with a foreclosure in my name because of the following:
- My ex embezzled marital funds for years, leaving me in the negative.
- He abandoned me and I was unable to pay for the house on my salary (especially with the parting gift of debt).
- He refused (through the lawyers; I never spoke with him again) to sell the house.
- In court, he stated he wanted the house. The judge agreed.
- He refused to refinance the mortgage in his name only (as ordered by the courts).
- He didn’t pay the mortgage.
Cue foreclosure.
I read the document over and over again, looking for a way that sending in a request for my portion of the funds could backfire. I couldn’t find one.
Technically, both holders of the former mortgage were supposed to sign, except in the case of death.
He might be dead for all I know. Or in prison. Or France. Or living in the next neighborhood over.
I put a note by his name – “Divorced due to abandonment in 2010. I have no knowledge about his current status.” I held back from adding, “And please don’t let me know if you find him.”
I may get nothing. I may have to split the check with my ex husband. Or, I may get back just a little bit of what was stolen from me.
Not bad for a trip to the mailbox.
But weird.
Goodbye past. I’m sticking with the present.
Your writing is amazing!!
Thank you😊 I still feel like a tourist in the writing realm.
I wish you the best and hope you get a bunch back! You deserve it!!
Good luck. Fingers crossed you’ll get it all.
Thank you!
The Universe does have a way of making sure we FuckHeads get taken care of in the end, doesn’t it 😉 Miracles abound 🥳