Monday I returned to school with talks with the principal, the Holmen Police Department, and campus security to inform them of the threats on my life and to appear at school. (The principal knew the day before when I'd given my reason to phone him.) I talked to my department head... he just laughed.

During the day there was a message at school from Kari, saying she wanted to talk. For two weeks she didn't say a word to me, and all of a sudden she wanted to talk? I knew the reason immediately... it was September 30 and her rent was due the next day.

I went to the county courthouse after classes were done and filed my restraining order. On returning to school I returned Kari's message, saying I wanted to pick up some clothes, pots and pans, and dishes. I had no clue what to expect on arriving at the house. Would she aim the rifle? Would Tim come after me with a baseball bat? I called Mom before I left telling her it was 6:30pm, and that if she didn't hear from me by 8:30 to call the sheriff. On my way over all I could think of was Catherine... what would life be like for her without her daddy?

I knocked on the door and was invited in. I looked through the screen door and saw Tim's cell phone on the kitchen table and Kari's rifle leaning against the door. I told her I wouldn't enter unless her trigger lock was on, but she refused saying, "Don't mess with my shit." I mentioned that she obviously went through my belongings to collect the items she did into her bag... she gave no reply. I asked one more time for the trigger lock to be put on and again there was no reply. I left, called Mom, and gave her the all-clear.

I went out to purchase $100 worth of clothing and toiletries to get me through. Tuesday morning at school, voicemail confirmed that Kari had been served the restraining order Monday night at 8:06pm. I've always wondered when serving the papers what the sheriff's officer must have thought of the unlocked gun leaning against the kitchen door.

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