Sassy, thank you for sharing. Your story is inspiring and gives me hope. It truly does. I feel "sub-human right now".
Crimson... your encouragement helped me to finally get up the courage to turn in the letter. After arriving at the school yesterday afternoon, the secretary caught me. She informed me that the headmaster wished to meet before I turned in the withdrawal letter, and if it was possible to meet with him the next day. I agreed, but worried all night and morning. What would I say when he brought up my domestic violence situation? I had given the female administrator permission to share my circumstances with him, but now we were going to sit for a face to face and I was absolutely nervous.
Well, I walked in, head hung in shame that these people knew something so embarassing about me.
Well, anyhow, the meeting went very well. He let me know that he was aware that I was going through personal difficulties that involved my safety and stated that he was aware of my plan to withdraw one or both kids.
I explained that this was where I was stuck, since leaving one child would mean that it would take me longer to leave my husband.
He went on to inform me that he and the other administrator really wanted to help so that both kids could stay on. He asked how much I could afford monthly and I showed him my "leave one kid in school budget". Much to my shock, he told me that both kids could stay if I paid that amount monthly. He said that he felt as if God had placed the kids there for a reason and that with God's help it would all work out (Christian based school). I had tears streaming down my face as I accepted and thanked him. It was all quite overwhelming.
Now, of course, I will be stuck with Eddie a bit longer, as I need to pay off a bit of debt before he leaves. I'm not happy about that at all, as I don't trust his promises that he will not ever again harm me. That's been his mantra for a while. Sigh.
This is great news and simultaneously bad news. I just couldn't turn down this chance to keep both kids happy and in their school. Yet, I'm disappointed that I'm in danger a bit longer. This is the first time in 17 or 18 years that I actually "believe" that I'm not safe. This sux and it's awesome too.
This weekend, time for me to work on ANOTHER new budget, to get him out ASAP.