Fortunately for Jean, the house sold quickly. So they packed up their belongings and moved in with her parents about 45 minutes away.

I can’t even imagine how awkward this was for Jean. Here she was, in her early 40s with two children, successful in her career, moving in with her parents and bringing her unemployed boyfriend, along with his two children. A woman, mind you, who had left her husband for Brendan, the man who showered her with gifts and promises of a materialistic world. A world she clearly desired. A world that seriously came crashing down. It was incredibly hard to watch.

The every-other-weekend schedule with the kids was immediately altered. It had to be. You couldn’t blame Jean’s parents. Six additional people under one roof (if only for every-other weekend)? It was too much. And frankly I was relieved. Tensions were so high that the kids really didn’t need to be around that.

But it was hard for the kids to mask their frustration and disappointment. I tried to keep things light as it pertained to their father, assuring them it would be okay and that he and Jean were figuring things out. I really hoped that was the case. They really missed him. There were many nights when my son would cry, and all I could do was love him through it, holding him and telling him it would be ok. But would it?

I worked extra-hard to be there for my kids. They needed a strong foundation so they could navigate this rocky path Brendan was on. But we were all feeling the pain.

Child support was non-existent. And I was continually facing Brendan’s verbal venom. It came to a point that my lawyer actually encouraged me to take out a restraining order out on him. I never followed that path, partly because I honestly didn’t think Brendan would take it to the level he threatened, and partly because I can hold my own. But I will say, there were more than a few nights when I didn’t sleep.

To top things off, Brendan didn’t really seem to be helping him. He wasn’t being terribly strategic about his job search, nor was he making any efforts to find something “in the meantime." He still held on to the notion that he simply deserved better than he was being dished. It was easier to feel victimized than to own the situation. Ownership of anything (beyond material things) has never been his strong suit.

Word from John (Jean’s ex) was that Jean was struggling under the pressure. She maintained her visitation schedule with her children, and Brendan wasn’t exactly helpful to her. His true colors were starting to show (after all, these weren’t his kids, right?) He wasn’t helpful around the house, and wasn’t being supportive to Jean. All while living for free under her parents' roof. Hmm. I can only imagine what her parents thought of the entire situation.

About 3-months later, I got a call from John. “Um, have you heard the news?” When I told him I hadn’t, he continued, “I got a call from Jean’s Mom today. They have asked Brendan and Jean to move out.”

Holy crap.