Jim was not always a dead beat

When he married Helen 

He was a rising star

That was hired 

As an accountant

At a reputable firm

- – -

They had three children

Their own home in the suburbs

With a white picket fence

And a station wagon

- – -

Jim however had flaws

He liked wine and women

Played the horses

And ruined his career

With his uncontrolled desires

- – -

Helen would have nothing

To do with his behavior

He became violent

And she went through hell

And a nasty divorce

- – -

Jim was ordered by a judge

To pay alimony

And child support

But by this time

He was fired from his job

And his life was in shambles

- – -

His stupor eventually

Drove him to seek psychiatric help

And he joined Alcoholics Anonymous

Image by kckellner via Flickr

Cover of Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, Book 7)

Began to turn his life around

And tried to obtain visitation

Rights for John, Mary and Chloe

But the judge refused

- – -

For years he was unable

To pay his alimony

And child support

Helen had to work

But still he preferred

To gamble away

Whatever funds 

Came his way

- – -

But the unexpected happened

He hit it big with a huge bet

At the Kentucky Derby

And won a fortune

- – -

Jim thought that this would

Redeem him 

He rushed over to Helen’s

Apartment to tell her the news

She was unimpressed 

And sought back payments

Of her alimony and child support

- – -

Jim was disappointed

Helen never forgave him 

Because he was abusive 

Eventually, he was able to secure

Visitation rights to see his kids

Never found a steady job 

Dated other women

But their dreams remained  shattered

- – -