Anniversary

Fifteen years ago today, I came home and, instead of finding my wife and nearly-five-year-old son, there was a note:

"Do not attempt to contact me & especially Paul before our court hearing or I will have you arrested."

One year ago last month, in the space of two weeks, he graduated from high school, the support check stopped coming, she got remarried by a justice of the peace, and left town with the new husband. Oh, and my son was out on the street.

He's doing better now, though. To say nothing of his old man.