“We are wasting each other’s time here. I’m not giving you a divorce.” Amy spoke coolly.
She faced Dave across the conference table, a wicked smile across her face. Dave had informed her about wanting a divorce close to two months ago. She thought of it as one of his silly threats, until he served her divorce papers. She was peeved about it at first, begged a few times, tried to seduce him too, when that didn’t work she convinced herself it was for the best. A divorce would relieve her of her motherly and wifely duties which she hadn’t performed in years, and it would ensure a constant money flow in alimony. She loved Dave but hated him more for the fact that he loved Elizabeth more than he did her, and so her best revenge would be milking him out of as much money as she possibly could.
“Why not?” Dave answered with his professional voice.
“Because you won’t give me what I want.”
“I’m not giving you that much, so take what I’m offering.”
Amy leaned forward on the table, “I’ll only take that if I have sole custody of Elizabeth.”
Dave banged his fist hard on the table that it made the glasses tip over, spilling the water. Both their lawyers were startled by Dave’s anger and pulled back away from the table, “Over my dead body!”
Amy leaned back, pleased by his reaction, “Then give me what I want, or we can go to trail, and the judge will give us joint custody, and me half of everything you own.”
***
Dave stared at her, fighting back the urge to reach over the table and break her neck. He knew Amy would be difficult about the divorce, yet he was still hopeful they would settle it quick and out of court. He didn’t want to go to court and expose how his wife really was, but they had been at it for weeks and her demands were becoming more and more insane.
“You want to go to trial? Okay then,” he spoke, his voice harsh and cool, “You studied law and your lawyer can help refresh your memory. Todd let’s go out for lunch while our guests watch a movie.” He sauntered out of the room.
“Dave,” Todd called after him. He stopped and turned to him, “I’ll stay and wait for their decision.” Dave stared at him so austerely that it made Todd cringe. He knew why Todd wanted to stay and it had nothing to with his professional obligation.
“Do what you want. Give them the pictures first, that should be an ice breaker,” he turned, “I’ll be across the street.” He spoke as he walked away.
He went to the day care centre and picked up Elizabeth. His daughter always had a calming effect on him. He took her to the cafe and quietly ate his lunch as he watched his daughter play on top of the table. He didn’t want to go to court, not because he thought he would lose, but for his daughter. Showing all his peers and the public that the mother of his child was a slut was something he was trying to avoid. His colleagues would have a newfound respect for him if he could rip his wife apart, he would surely do it with anyone else, but he didn’t intend on being a laughing stalk for the rest of his legal career.
****
“Mama, are you sure everything is alright?” Maria spoke to Edna on the phone in the cafe kitchen. They talked everyday about Maria’s new life, Edna and Ricky. Maria felt a little relieved confirming Ricky was still in Mississippi, she didn’t even bother to ask her mother how she knew that, and Edna wasn’t offering any explanations.
“Everything is fine. I moved back to my house yesterday, it looks better than it did before.”
“Won’t Ricky go back there for you?” Maria asked in a panic.
“No, he wouldn’t dare. The sheriff has my house and Jane’s watched just in case. For a law man he was really disappointed Ricky was still alive.”
Maria snorted, “Everyone is disappointed he’s still alive. Michael can’t know about it, mama.”
“How is my little Martinez, I’ve missed him.” Maria’s laugh made the man grin even wider.
“He goes by Miguel these days, mama you made him idolize a man who is never going to turn up. Anyway, he should be here for lunch. Call back in a few minutes, I’ll go get him.”
***
Edna looked at the man next to her. He’d been so happy to hear Maria’s voice until she
“You didn’t have a choice.”
“Yes I did. I should have stayed.” Miguel said with frustration.
“And get arrested and put in for life? You didn’t have a choice,” Edna stood up and walked to the kitchen. She didn’t want to get into an argument about it. She’d had the same argument with Maria for over ten years.
He followed her, continuing the argument, “Then I should have taken you with me.”
“You didn’t want us to be on the run.” Edna went back to the living room.
“There is no excuse for what I did! My daughter got roped up with a low life and she’s now on the run, and you want to tell me it’s not my fault!” Miguel yelled, frustrated.
“You should start with that when it’s time to bond with your daughter, that’s something you both take one side on,” Edna sat down and held the phone out to him, “now just wait a few minutes and then call your grandson.”