Update: March, 2009.
A settlement conference was scheduled for March 2nd, 2009. Neither my lawyer nor I expected G to settle. I questioned the value of such a conference, but was told that it is a mandatory part of the process which precedes a hearing, and hopefully negates the necessity for one.
I have never felt so anxious. I would be confronted with two things I find very stressful: confrontation and G himself. His lawyer demanded half of everything on his client’s behalf, and intimated that G could be entitled to even more. G had been drinking, I could tell. He wasn’t shaking, and was very relaxed and confident, even smug. He had a bottle of what appeared to be water with him, but was instructed by his lawyer to drink the water supplied by the court which stood in a carafe with glasses on the conference table. The judge acted as facilitator, rather than decision maker, clarifying points of law and maintaining control of the proceedings. Amounts of money for the purposes of a pay out were traded back and forth, I conferred with my lawyer, he with his. More haggling ensued. The judge left the room, unimpressed with the “horse-trading”. The amounts began to favour me more and more, and then it was over. He had settled. I was to pay him one lump sum, and then he would disappear from my life. I exited the doors of the court and felt reborn. I had lost money but regained my self respect and dignity. And I kept my house. My father has helped me as much as he is able, and I have the continued support of my friends. I’m pretty broke, but I’m rich.
For the longest time, I could spy only the smallest glimmer of light at the end of this long, dark tunnel. But I’m through and although the light is still very bright, I’m getting used to it.
I’m free.
