“And with that, I hereby give custody of Alex Faulkner to Amanda Faulkner. Case closed.”

That feeling – it’s back. The feeling of hate and despair against the world.. it’s back. It amazed me how in a day I could lose the happiness and joy of a son.

That feeling was the last thing I remember.

Apparently, I had fainted at the shock of the decision when the gavel had been slammed on the desk.

When I opened my eyes, I heard that fast-speaking jibberish joy again: “She’s-awake-she’s-awake-are-you-okay-your-chair-fell-over-and-you-hit-your-head-on-the-mini-walley-thingey-and-I-was-so-scared.”

Impact. I hadn’t realized how much Alex seemed to weigh. He was on top of me, giving me the saddest hug I could ever get.

“Alex – where’s your mother?” I said, scanning the room.

It was then when I heard the door open with a crack that sounded like a wall splitting in half.

“ALEX DYLAN FAULKNER I TOLD YOU THAT YOU WEREN ’T ALLOWED TO VISIT HERE ANYMORE !!!” that dreaded voice yelled.