Chapter Four

Once she’d shared everything with Rebekah, the lawyer had asked several questions, then explained, “Maddie, it sounds to me like we’re talking what’s called a ‘no fault’ divorce. Basically, it means the cause is irreconcilable differences. Now, do you think Eric will fight you on this?”

“I honestly don’t know,” Maddie murmured. “We barely even talk anymore. So, I honestly have no idea what his reaction will be.”

“Okay. So, here’s some things I want you to be thinking about. You don’t have any children, and aren’t expecting any, correct?”

Not unless pregnancy in humans now lasts over four years, Maddie thought bitterly, but only answered, “No, no kids, at all.”

Rebekah made several notes as they talked, and at the end of their time together she’d concluded with, “I’m going to have Cheryl get all this into an outline and email it to you. You’re going to want to be thinking about these things ahead of time. If you think he might contest the divorce at all, it’s going to be better for us to have everything lined out as much as possible.”

“One last thing,” the lawyer told Maddie. “And I need you to answer me honestly. Do you have any concerns for your physical safety at all?”

“Eric is mean spirited, Rebekah, but he’s never once been physically violent toward me,” Maddie replied. “He prefers to use words as weapons.”

Rebekah arched an eyebrow as she gazed at her client.

“No, I’m not worried about my safety.”

“Good. I needed to hear you confirm that for me. When it comes to situations like this, you just never know.”

And the look of pain showing briefly on Rebekah’s face let Maddie know she’d witnessed her share of abused clients.

By the time Maddie got home the document was ready and waiting in her inbox.

She ate a light supper – no point in cooking for just me, she reasoned – then settled in with a glass of sangria and the printed consultation summary and checklist of next steps.

***

Mason locked up and left the office just after eight p.m., tired but jubilant. If things continued to go well, Gentries Unlimited would be able to unveil their new technology before April arrived. He grabbed a drive-through burger on his way back to his apartment to relax and watch the hockey game.

***

As Maddie read, she made notes to herself, and then started on the lists Rebekah had mentioned regarding individual and joint assets.

Now that I think about it, we never truly shared anything.

At the time it had struck her as strange, but Maddie had shrugged it off as just another point of compromise in their relationship. Maybe the wine was starting to loosen her memory up – she remembered she’d done a lot of compromising over the last fifteen years.

She had desperately wanted kids, but did she have any? No. Eric didn’t want them.

“Hell, I wasn’t even allowed to have any pets,” she grumbled.

The more she thought about things, the madder she got.

The lists complete, she set down her pen, leaned back, and finished off the glass of wine.

One’s usually my limit, but I think it’s time to make an exception, she decided, staring at her empty glass.

Maddie went to the kitchen and poured herself another. Her cell phone, plugged into the charger, chirped at her from the living room, and she dutifully returned to retrieve it.

A new text notification. I bet fifty bucks I know who this is NOT from, she thought sourly. Pulling it up onscreen, her mood lightened to see it was from Kathy.

How did the lawyer’s office thing go?

About like I expected, Maddie typed in response. Made the asset lists like she suggested. Nothing much to do now but wait until he gets home so I can tell him it’s over.

A long pause, then another ping for a new incoming message.

I’m so sorry about all this, Mad. I have your back. Whatever you need, just let me know, okay? When does he come back?

“At least someone cares about whether or not I’m happy,” Maddie muttered, then answered, Friday night.

***

When Mason finally did fall asleep, the same nightmare that always chased him started almost immediately.

I’m in the driveway, buckling Abagail into her car seat, those big blue eyes watching me as she coos and smiles.

‘Da da da da,’ she babbles, and I grin.

Laura puts the diaper bag in the front passenger seat, then comes to me. I hold her in my arms and breathe her in; her hair is lightly scented like strawberries, from her shampoo.

“We’ll be back tomorrow night,” she tells me, as she kisses me.

But I know better, and I try to warn her not to leave yet, baby, don’t leave yet! Wait ten minutes, that should be enough time.

Despite my efforts, the dream doesn’t change. She doesn’t wait. I stand outside myself, horrified, powerless, watching me blow Abagail a kiss, seeing her scrunch her tiny nose at me as she giggles. Waving at them as Laura backs out of our driveway.

Oh, God, Laura, please wait…

Mason moaned as the dream shifted.

A call. The office called me. So much for a quiet Saturday morning. I get in my car, buckle up, radio on, and head out. As I approach the large intersection, I am shocked to see red and blue flashing lights everywhere. The entire thing’s shut down, all directions. Not surprising, accidents happen on a road this busy, especially when people aren’t paying attention…

And I see it as I get closer.

No. Oh, please, God, no.

Our little beige Volvo with the distinctive bumper sticker. Almost completely buried underneath a cement truck.

I park my car in the middle of the street, I jump out, I’m running forward, screaming. Two policemen approach me, hands on weapons.

‘Stay back, sir, you need to stay back.’

Darkness.

Mason came back to consciousness, soaked in sweat and sobbing.