Chapter 4: The Aftermath

After all the mess with police, EMTs and a County Judge, Gloria was charged with a misdemeanor discharge of a firearm within the city/county limits. It seemed that part of our land since a survey back in 1909 that we have property in both the city limits and the county. After much arguing with the local appraising districts that when we bought the land it said that the property was only in the county. But the city moved the city limits out supposedly past our place ten years ago but we were never informed so we just paid county taxes. With all the people involved in this fiasco the tax roles were brought up and now we had to try to pay city taxes for the past ten years but get money back from the county for the part of the property now within the city limits. This was a mess so the county judge got with the city appraising district and the county appraising district and between the three parties they argued it out so that we were grandfathered into the county due to the present survey that proved we were not within the city limits by 6 inches. The city argued that they provided police and fire protection to our area and therefore should be considered within the city, but the county said we had a well and septic system and was provided power by the county power company which overrode the city’s claim.

It was a hell of a mess. But we as a family weathered through it and the therapy and mood swings associated with balancing Gloria’s hormones. She finally accepted that I loved her unconditionally and I would do anything for her as long as it didn’t affect the family. She now knows that I would die for her.

On a lighter note, our gel and fabric combination proved to be a boon to law enforcement and the military not only in the US but overseas as well. My team all received a pay increase as well as glowing endorsements from all the people utilizing our new vest design. The research company received many honors and we became world renowned for innovative products.

I know this isn’t a real cheating story but it almost was. And I have my brilliant team to thank for that. As I write this we are on a second honeymoon trip to Europe to see all the things we have wanted to see. I retired at 48 and we have traveled far and wide both just the two of us and the whole family. I never truly thought that Gloria would shoot me, but I was always taught to be prepared for the worst and smile if it never occurred.