As I climb out of my jeep, I see Ross and his new bed buddy walking hand in hand towards the courthouse steps. I roll my eyes seeing nothing about that girl is real. All bought by my soon to be ex-husband. Her nose, her boobs, and ass, even her fake blonde hair. He even used our money to help get her into a nursing school that she ended up dropping out of and decided to make my husband her sugar daddy. 

"Erin, it's good to see you again," he says causing me to roll my eyes.

"Ross, what the hell is she doing at our divorce proceedings? She has no business being here."

"I'm standing by my man, Erin. I can be here if I want to be here for moral support," she snaps. 

"Really,  and where exactly we're your morals when you knew you were screwing a married man, Tammy?"

"Okay, you two, stop it.  Let's just go in there and get this over with," Ross says as he pulls the door open. Once inside, I see my lawyer making his way towards me. Ross and Tammy make their way into the courtroom. 

"Ronald, Tammy insists on being here."

"Actually, that will work to your benefit, Erin. You and Ross are still legally married and your husband brings proof he has been unfaithful will not shine a good light on him. Don't worry, we have even more proof when it comes to Ross dipping into your joint accounts paying for his girlfriend's new and plastic looks. Once the judge looks through all of these papers, sees the person Ross has been having an affair with, he will have no problem granting you a divorce and giving you what you deserve to have," Ronald assures me. 

An hour goes by and we all return after a brief recess. Judge Stanley returns to the bench and I notice the anger on his face.  His fingers begin to flip through the many papers and he looks even angrier. His glaring eyes look over at Ross, then at Tammy and I'm pretty sure this is not going to end well for them.

"Well, I have to say never in my twenty-plus years that I've been a judge have I ever seen anyone wanting so much, claiming they deserve more than what they actually deserve and have no problem bringing in the actual proof and still think you've done nothing wrong," he looks right at Ross and Tammy.

"What is he talking about, Ronald?" I ask

"Shh, Erin. Judge Stanley is ripping Ross a new one and he's about to lose big time."

"Please let him grant me the house that's been in my family for over a century," I whisper.

"Erin, you get to keep the house that has been in your family for generations, I am also granting you the money from your own account, and five-hundred thousand dollars from the joint account. I am also ordering your ex-husband to pay back twelve-thousand from the joint account he took to give it to someone who has no business even being here," he glares at Tammy.

"Your honor, that was also my client's money to do with he chose to do with," Ross' lawyer jumps up and soon regrets it. 

"Let me tell you something, Mr. Lerner, that money in that joint account was meant to pay bills, food, clothing, and for their son's schooling not to buy his girlfriend new breasts, a new behind, and whatever else he paid for. Therefore, your client will return those twelve thousand dollars he took from the marital joint account.  I am also ordering that your client helps Erin with whatever expenses their son may need as long as he remains in school.  I am granting your client the rest of the remaining money from the joint account, but not until Erin's five-hundred thousand dollars is secure in a separate account.  I have made my ruling," he says as he brings down the gavel.

"Thank God. You are getting a fat bonus for doing such an amazing job, Ronald. I just wanted to make sure Chris can remain in college and he will have a secure future and now, he does," I wrap my arms around him. 

Weeks go by. I realize Christmas and my birthday will soon be approaching. I've been feeling a little depressed lately with now being a divorced woman and leaving my thirties. I just wish something would happen that will drag me out of this self-pity party and give me something to smile about. 

"Hello?" I say as I pick up my cell phone.

"Mom, it's me."

"Christopher, aww sweetie, you are exactly what I need to put a smile on my face. Please tell me you didn't miss your flight."

"No, we're about to board the airplane in just a few minutes."

"We're, are you bring someone home with you, Chris?"

"Yeah, mom. I hope you don't mind, it was literally the last minute kind of thing. His parents are in Hawaii, and I felt bad he was going to have to stay here at school at Christmas, so I told him to just come home with me."

"Oh, okay, no problem, but Chris, I don't have any gifts to give him come Christmas morning. What does he like? Clothes wise,  cologne, what is he into?"

"Basically what I'm into mom." 

"Oh, okay, great. I can go shopping later today after I finish Mr. and Mrs. Rigg's painting."

"Thank you mom, I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome, son. By the way, what is your friend's name?"

"His name is Elijah, mom." 

"That's a nice name. Okay, don't worry, when you two get here, his gifts will be wrapped and under the tree waiting to be opened on Christmas morning."

"Great. Okay mom, they just called our flight number, see you in about eight hours. I love you."

"I love you, Christopher, can't wait to see you and meet your friend Elijah. Bye, baby." 

After finally finishing the painting, I decided to take a quick shower and go to the mall. I soon regret coming here, the sea of people is a nightmare. Once I get to the men's clothing shop, I pick up some shirts, jeans and a few baseball hats. I then make my way towards the electronics store and buy a tablet hoping he doesn't have one. I also buy him a camera and decide this should be plenty of gifts for him to open with us on Christmas. 

"Get me the hell out of this horrid mall full of evil people," I whisper as I hand the guy my credit card. I hear a soft chuckle knowing he must have heard my words.

"Thank you, ma'am," he says with innocent intent. I start feeling the depression creeping back in and realize I will be hearing people calling me ma'am again. 

"I really am getting older. Not that I'm wanting in another relationship, but I'll be lucky to get even a simple wink again," I sigh as I pull out of the parking lot. Once I get home, I notice the living room light is on.

"Just great, Erin, not you're forgetting to turn the lights off," I scold myself as I pull the bags out of the back seat. 

"Damn it, I have no idea why so many women love to go shopping, I hate it," I snap as I kick the door open. Once inside, I nearly have a heart attack.

"Surprise, mom, we're here now. We flew in late last night and rented a hotel room."

"Oh my god, Chris? Crap, where is Elijah?"

"In the bathroom."

"Good, help me get his stuff in the closet," I hurry to open the closet door.

"Mom, are you going to hug me now?" He asks and I quickly wrap my arms around him. 

"Hello," I hear a deep voice. I turn to see this young good-looking guy smiling at me. I try not to let on how good-looking I can see he is. 

"Hello, you must be Elijah. I'm very happy to meet you," I smile as I extend my hand out.  He gently grabs it and winks at me. I try not to read much into it.

"Hello, Erin, thank you for allowing me to come and join you and Chris for Christmas. I look forward to getting to know you. I have a good feeling I'm going to enjoy being here."