endgame

I figured I wouldn't get a response, and I didn't. all part of his game, a petulant, albeit weak, power-play. next morning, I emailed him and said since I'm catching a plane, call me by noon and let me know when he sent the papers so I'd know they're on the way, or tell me I can pick them up. I concluded the message that if he didn't respond, I'd just assume he wants me to file the motion to find him in contempt.

while I was on the plane, he left 3 messages. I caught his 4th call as I was leaving the terminal. he had the papers for me to pick up.

it's stunning how easy it is to predict the actions of a malignant narcissist once you know what you're dealing with.

anyway, got the papers and the proof that he's a liar and failed to disclose assets. when I picked the papers up, his blood was boiling. I could feel the hate radiating off of him. all the years I lived in fear of this man, and yesterday I faced him knowing he can't hurt me anymore. he's desperately clinging to some way to hurt me, and I'm taking that control away from him one toehold at a time.

I thanked him for the disclosure papers as he stalked away from me, after I inventoried them and signed a receipt. naturally, he didn't answer. I wonder if that was meant to hurt my feelings, because it simply made me want to laugh. he lied. he got caught. somehow he feels justified in being angry at me, because it's my fault (it's always my fault), so he must lash out with the feeble punishment of his almighty rudeness... yes, that is actually funny to me.

I walked away from him and almost skipped out to the car, I was so elated, and that was before I'd even read the papers to find the truth that will be used in the next court hearing.

yesterday my narcissistic ex-husband's father left me a birthday message. he was so sweet, it stuns me that this kind man has offspring as poisonous as my ex-husband is, except that I've met my ex's mother so it is not a mystery. his message reminded me that there are good people in the world, people who care enough about those they're connected with to leave a message just to show they care. nothing more... he doesn't need my attention, he isn't out to prove anything, he simply wants to give love and have it returned.

it is a good birthday. it's the best birthday I've ever had. people I care about let me know they care about me. my son decided we should go out for sushi because it's my favorite, so me and the kids went crazy at the sushi-go-round and I drank hot saki. I shared an insane brownie sundae with them at a fancy restaurant and got loopy-sick from sugar. I reveled in a strange new freedom... life is magical in a way I can't remember it ever feeling, like each event is a treasure washed ashore... a shell, a piece of weathered sandalwood, a sand-polished agate... each moment is magical, like they can only be in a child's way of embracing life.