by Meghan R. Coleman

Created on: May 29, 2008

There was another call for me again. It was him. He kept calling, I am at work and he keeps calling.

"Hello," I answered impatiently.

"No, I am at work, you knew that ten minutes ago when you called before. Please stop calling." I hung up the phone.

I went into the kitchen of my restaurant and sighed. This is so embarrassing. My employees understood what I was going through, but any signs of my weakness could pose a threat to the balance of harmony I have always set with-in my restaurant.

After doing my rounds of delegating post-lunch expectations for the crew, I sat down at the computer to check the sales and labor percentages for the day. Then again, it was the phone. I answered it with the normal greeting using the restaurant name as well as my own. It was for me again, but this time it was a police officer.

"Hello, this is officer Sandin of the Trona Police department, can I speak with Jennifer Kelp please?"

"This is her," I answered.

"Here standing with me I have a Tom Kelp, are you familiar with him?"

"Yes, sir, I am." Of course, I was thinking. That's my husband, get to the point already.

"It is to my understanding that the two of you are husband and wife and share a common residence, am I correct?"

"Yes sir I am married to the man, but he has been living out of town for the past week, on his own will."

"Ok, ma'm, since you two have shared the same residence consecutively for the past year and you are married, he is entitled to still live there until court orders are filed."

"Yes sir," I answered, " I understand the laws, but he has threatened me physically, and has already left. I told him after work today that I would not have a problem with him getting the rest of his belongings. I pay the rent at the house, and have no where else to go. He does have another residence. If it's about him getting the rest of his stuff, there should be no more concern."

"There is still a concern, that his still his legal residence, and if he wants to kick in the door, then civilly, that's what he can do."

At this point I was frustrated, confused and scared. "Excuse me sir? Are you making it easier for deadbeats to live, because honestly I don't believe that was very ethical to say." I was shaking and coming closer to drawing tears.

"No, ma'm, I am not." And with that the other end became a click and a dial tone. Unsure of what just happened, I sat there in disbelief. A police officer, a protector of the people just advised someone to act criminally.

Walking down memory lane

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