All in the Name of Love

“Excuse me, will you please look into the camera?” the agitated photographer asked.

“I need you to look into the camera, Miss!” he said.

Purposely looking over my left shoulder with my eyes closed, the photographer finally took the picture. I wasn’t in a very cooperative mood so he finally settled for a profile shot. There’s something about a policeman trying to get you to pose for a mug shot that is very upsetting.

It all began on a hot summer night in 1997 when the big breakup happened between me and my then boyfriend, Gene...

Having two children and a tattoo bearing his name, I took our breakup very hard.

Especially when he started seeing other people.

One night our kids stayed over at my parents; so after going out with some co-workers, I decided to pay Gene a visit. I noticed the other woman, whom I call Rebound, was there. I finally persuaded him to come outside so we could talk and after arguing for a few minutes, what happened next is still out of my realm of thinking.

I ran into his house, locked the deadbolt leaving him outside. In his bedroom there was Rebound sitting on his bed on the comforter I had purchased for him. Following an exchange of words, we got into a cat fight. I could hear Gene knocking on the door and ringing the doorbell trying to awaken his sleeping roommate, so when Rebound ran from the room, I ran out the back door. I quickly got in my car and sped off.

Instead of going home though I returned to the crime scene. I parked down the street and snuck up to his house. I stood on the tips of my toes trying to see through the blinds covering his bedroom window. I wanted to see if Rebound had let Gene back into the house and if she did I wanted to know if he was comforting her...

on the comforter I had purchased.

I could hear them talking, but was having a hard time seeing anything.

Then I looked down and there it was. Lying on the ground was a big block. Instead of standing on it for a better view, I hoisted the heavy cement block up over my shoulder and sent it crashing through the window.

For a brief moment, I felt some sick gratification in hearing Rebound scream from the shattering glass and blinds ripping out of the wall. I felt like I was on a re-run episode of COPS as I again ran to my getaway car. This time I took myself home as I felt I had worn out my welcome . I didn't even think of returning to the location of my crime of passion. I'm sure Gene was probably a little mad at me by now.

I was so freaked out at myself as this was not normal for me. I quickly changed into my pj's, and hid under my covers. I felt so ashamed and then my doorbell rang. Looking out my window I saw a police car parked in front of my apartment.

I couldn't believe Gene called the cops on me!

I opened the door to two police officers as I tried to act like they woke me up.

“Miss Jane, we are placing you under arrest.”

Shocked I gasped and said “For WHAT?”

“For trespassing, vandalism, disturbing the peace and assault. Will you please get dressed so we can take you downtown?”

The ride to the police station was very quiet. So many thoughts were racing through my mind. Thoughts such as:

4 tickets in one night?? I've only gotten speeding tickets before...

How did this happen?

How am I going to explain this to my parents and my kids?

Should I call Gene with my one phone call?

These handcuffs are so tight…

After a few deserved hours in jail my aunt bailed me out and back home I went with my 4 tickets and no man. A few days later we apologized to each other and Gene was able to drop only 3 of the tickets because in Nebraska assault is a ticket that can't be dropped. So, for the next year I was reminded of my night with Rebound as I endured the diversion program. In order to get my clean record back I had to go through many hours of serving my community and lots of counseling. After an entire year of meeting all of the requirements successfully, the state finally forgave me.

Things got better as Gene came to his senses and stopped seeing Rebound immediately and admitted that I am the only woman for him.

I like to think I didn't scare him into loving me as others have suggested.

I didn’t even have to get my Gene tattoo removed, because two years after that crazy night, I walked down the aisle to marry my best friend.

Since that night so long ago, we've both re-committed our lives to Jesus, bought a home, added another child, a dog and now have a granddaughter on the way.

Life is good.

As for Rebound, we too forgave each other and last I knew she's somewhere in Florida.

My sincere hope is that she lives happily ever after far away .

OKAY...that's just a glimpse of the ugliness of my past.

I can't believe I acted like that!

I share this with you because when I gave my heart back to Jesus He took me as is.

No hesitation on His part.

I didn't have to "clean up" my mess of a life before He wrapped me in His arms.

He didn't require me to go through any program first before my slate was wiped clean because Jesus has already gone through the diversion program for me.

He took my place for what I deserved.

Dying on the cross was what He did so that I could escape going to hell.

Jesus took my place in the Eternal Diversion Program and to Him I am thankful.

~Many Blessings~

Lelia