I received a letter from my ex yesterday. It was kind of a surprise because I didn't expect to hear from him. Yet it wasn't a surprise because I knew that he wasn't finished communicating with me. I, on the other hand, have moved on. I have nothing left to say. I just wish him well.

He spent a great deal of time telling me that I shouldn't be afraid of him because he means no harm to me or my family. That's him sober. Him on drugs and drunk is another story. We weren't good enough for him even though we were the ones who had given him a chance after his first stint in prison. He blamed us for everything wrong in his life. He verbally abused me and threatened my life. He made fun of my mother and brother. It's not so much that I'm scared. I just don't need that kind of drama in my life any more.

Apparently he's paroling out to his dad in Leiper's Fork out of a misplaced sense of loyalty rather than going to a half way house. It's not my business but I'm of the opinion that he'll wind right back up in prison. He's going back to his old play mates and his old life. It won't matter how much he says he changed this time around. That new found religion of his will go right out the door. At any rate he should be a free man by January.

He also used a few of his old tactics to soften me up, I guess. He made mention that two of my former students are in the prison where he is now. I knew about James but I didn't know about Junior. It doesn't matter. I hate to hear such things but it is of no consequence to me. I did my job. I tried to steer my students in the right direction, even the juvenile delinquents. He also quoted some things I vaguely remember saying and told me that I was right about all of it. That's a first. He reminded me what close friends we were before we married and asked me to drop my rigid boundaries so that we could be friends again. Not a chance! At least not until I see what he's going to do on the outside this time. Then he began his sob story about how when he gets out this time he will have nothing. I'm not sure if he was hinting that I should help him out or not. It won't happen this time. I'm doing well to take care of myself and my family.

The best thing that I can say is that I'm thankful that Mom and Barry are out of that house. He won't be able to track me so easily.