Demotion and Deployment

Scott arrived on base to report for duty.

Just as he had feared, his C.O. called him to his office.

The look on the officers face was a clear indication of the frustration of his position.

He had a job to do; yet he regretted having to make such a decision.

Scott, there are just some things that can not be tolerated and are not acceptable. You hold a high ranking position and with that comes responsibility. Both military and personal. You have to see to it that all areas of your life are in order. Clearly, you family life is lacking. I am not certain what is taking place, however, you were warned with the last incident that this was not acceptable. As such, you are being placed on notice that you will be demoted if this ever happens again.

Scott understood the severity of the reprimand.

Sir, I understand. I want to let you know that I am doing everything possible to find a solution. I assure you, this will not happen again.

Later that day Scott was notified that his deployment would be taking place and that he had 10 days to get his personal life in order. Scott would be deployed for a six month tour.

The thought of being away from Andy made Scott's heart sink. Amy's behavior was so uncertain. Up until now, Scott was home each day. He was in close range of handling any situation and although he worried daily about Amy with respect to Andy, at least he was home.
If Amy showed signs of instability, he could step in. This would soon change. He would be far away with little contact. Scott felt helpless. Talking with Amy just produced chaos. Talking with Amy's doctors was not an option as HIPPA laws prevented this. Although Amy's behavior was eratic, she had never caused harm to Andy. This prevented Scott from seeking any outside help to intervine. Scott was in a catch 22 situation.

Terri was waiting for Scott when he arrived home that evening. Terri had arrived earlier in the day and Amy was not at all happy with her arrival. Terri tried to diffuse Amy's displeasure by indicating that she came in to offer help and moral support to Amy. Terri indicated that with Scott's upcoming deployment she felt that Amy would be lonesome and needing occasional breaks from Andy. That seemed to satisfy Amy for the moment. Terri indicated to Amy that she would happily watch Andy and suggested that Amy take the afternoon to enjoy a little time away from the house. Amy happily took Terri up on her offer and packed a bag to spend the day at the beach.

When Scott walked in the door Terri was surprised at how gaunt Scott was looking. Clearly the stress was not only taking an emotional drain on Scott; but also a physical one. Terri indicated that she was concerned but Scott assured her that he would be fine.

I just need to know that Andy will be alright while I'm away, Mom.

Terri assured Scott that Andy would be fine. Terri and Bruce had already discussed that either Terri would stay with Amy while Scott was gone or they would offer their lake cottage to Amy and bring her and Andy home while Scott was away.

That night at dinner, Terri asked Amy if she would like to spend time at the lake cottage. To everyones surprise, Amy tought it would be a great idea.

I'll be able to visit with my family and it will be nice to relax at the lake house with Andy. Amy also added that it would be nice for Andy to have some extra time with his grandparents. Terri agreed.

Over the next week, Terri helped Scott ready himself for his deployment and helped Amy pack for the trip back home. Everything went surprisingly calm. They waved Scott off and wished him well. Later that day, Terri, Amy and Andy packed up Scott's van and ventured off on the long drive back home. Terri held her breath and prayed that the ride home would be a pleasant, uneventful trip. It was a prayer that went unanswered....

-S.Spade

INTERMISSION

It is at this time that I would like to first thank you for reading this story.

I know that you have been wondering if this is a true story, or just a writer pounding out a new book.

It is at this time that I share with you, my readers, that this is in fact an actual and true story.

Not only a true story, but one that my family is in the middle of.

I have changed the names of those involved for legal reasons.

My sister is Terri, my nephew is Scott.

This is a story that played out for almost one decade and ended tragically.

We are all in counseling and riddled with grief.

The reason for writing this story is to bring awareness to suicide and to deal with my grief.

But it is also an attempt to shed light that someone can be driven to suicide...

And when that happens, should the culprit be held accountable for the person's death?

Can someone else be legally responsible for causing another to take their own life?

If so, should they be punished as a murderer?

Thank you for your support.

-S.Spade

Humiliation

Amy's behavior became increasingly outrageous.

And Scott seemed to be the brunt of her anger.

It seemed as if there would never be a peaceful marriage for the couple.

And it was becoming more obvious that when there was an occasional calm period,

Amy would get unsettled.

It was clear that Amy could only survive in chaos.

Amy was also displaying more erratic behavior at work.

And it wasn't long until the director of nursing called Amy into her office.

There were numerous complaints about Amy not only from the doctors,

but also her co-workers.

It was at this meeting that Amy was given a choice to either resign or they would terminate her employment.

Amy resigned, but she had no problem voicing her opinion of the caliber of physicians that she worked under. In Amy's opinion they were all inadequate. She was glad to be moving on.

That evening Amy told Scott that she had resigned.

Scott was relieved, as he was about to be deployed and with Amy now at home, daycare wouldn't be a problem.

Surprisingly, Amy agreed with Scott.

She almost seemed excited to be able to become a full time mother to Andy.

Something that no one had seen in Amy before.

For a moment, Scott thought that this resignation might be the answer that they were all looking for.

During the first week Amy seemed happy.

They lived close to the beach and Amy would pack up little Andy and spend the afternoons with him playing in the sand.

Amy was also dabbling in photography, so shooting Andy playing at the beach seemed to satisfy her creative side.

Scott was coming home from work to what resembled a normal family atmosphere.

And for a brief moment, things were looking up.

The week before Scott was to be deployed, things took a turn for the worse.

Scott was on duty and was about two hours into his shift.

His commanding officer called for Scott to immediately report to his office.

Upon arriving at the C.O.'s office, Scott opened the door.

In the middle of the floor sat Andy along with a diaper bag and some toys, as well as the car seat.

Amy had dropped Andy off at the base.

A heated argument ensued between the C.O. and Amy.

Amy demanded to see Scott.

She announced that Andy was Scott's responsibility for the day.

Scott's C.O. stated that he was not about to tolerate Amy's demands and that she was to immediately leave the base or the M.P. would escort her away.

Amy turned on her heel and stated that indeed she would leave but not with Andy.

Amy proceeded to her car and left leaving Andy behind.

Scott was horrified and humiliated.

Scott's C.O. pulled him from duty and told him to go home and take care of his affairs.

Scott apologized, but to no avail.

And he knew that there would be serious consequences, after all this was not the first time that Amy had done this.

When Scott arrived home he called Terri and Bruce.

Terri could tell by the tone of his voice that something was seriously wrong.

Scott told Terri about what had taken place.

And Terri became furious.

Bruce got on he phone with his son.

He insisted that Scott get Amy into a doctor for evaluation.

Scott agreed, something was seriously wrong.

And it needed to be addressed before Scott was deployed.

Scott decided to take Andy over to a friends house for the evening. He knew that the evening with Amy was not going to be good and he didn't want it to upset Andy. Kathy and Jim were good friends and understood. They gladly took Andy for the evening.

Amy arrived back home early that evening.

She bolted through the front door, her arms packed with shopping bags.

She was not just happy, she was giddy.

It was as if the entire day had gone normal.

Her behavior was so bizarre that is stunned Scott.

Amy,do you want to tell me what happened today?

Scott's voice shook as he spoke.

Amy looked at Scott dismayed.

Nothing happened Scott, Amy replied.

Nothing? Amy, what the hell do you mean nothing?

You dumped Andy at the base, you got into an argument with my C.O., and I am going to be in serious trouble tomorrow when I report for duty!

Amy turned and threw one of the bags at Scott.

I deserve a day off Scott, just like you do.

And today was MY day off.

Your C.O. is a pompous asshole.

He probably treats his wife like a door mat and she probably takes it.

Well, I am not a door mat and I won't take it from you or that bastard C.O. of yours.

Scott asked Amy if she had been taking her medications.

It was a question that Scott soon regretted asking.

Amy became more enraged then Scott had ever seen.

Medications? You think that I am some kind of a freak don't you Scott?

And I'm sure your mother has been coaching you.

I'm sure she has told you that I am unstable.

Tell me Scott, does your mother think that I should be in a mental hospital too?

It was at that time that Amy picked up the phone and called Terri.

So Terri, do you think I am an unfit mother?

Your son does. And your son thinks I need medication.

Well let me tell you about your son. He is having an affair.

And it's not the first time. I know that he has had a few girlfriends. He claims that he is going to work, but I know he is calling in sick. So Terri, what so you think of your precious son now?

Terri was stunned. Amy was making no sense. Terri asked Amy if she was with Andy. Amy responded by saying yes, she was with Andy. Then she screamed at Terri that she didn't have to worry, she wasn't a child abuser like Scott.

Scott took the phone from Amy.

He told Terri that he would call her back later. Scott let Terri know that Andy was not at home and to please not worry.

But that was all Terri could do.

Terri hung up the phone and looked at Bruce.

Things are worse then we ever expected.

And I don't know how Scott is keeping his sanity, Bruce.

It was at that time that Terri and Bruce decided that Terri would take the next plane out.

-S.Spade