That old feeling.
Declan felt it, a mixture of dread, excitement, and steeling himself for disappointment. He engaged his communicator, "Yes, I should like to speak with Louise Schiller, on Callisto."
A relayer operator came on the line. "Connecting you now," he said, "go ahead."
"Louise, it's me."
"Hmm?"
"Declan. It's me, Declan." He paused, and then clarified, "Your ex-husband."
"Oh? And what brings this call?" she asked, but to Declan's ears, it sounded like she was bored already.
"I'm, I am getting married."
"Are you expecting that I'd object?"
"No," he willed himself to remain calm, "I am merely informing you, as a courtesy."
"You could have just sent an email."
"I suppose I could have, Louise, but I just thought it would be kinder this way. You and I have not spoken for years."
"Kinder? I'm not pining away for you or anything, yanno."
"Clearly you are not. Your, your Aunt Pamela sends her regards."
"That old bat? I haven't spoken to her for almost as long as you," Louise claimed.
"That's hardly a point of pride," he countered, "you seem to be almost gloating about the fact."
"Listen, I never wanted any of it. They were just on my back about it all the time – 'why aren't you married?' and 'get married already!' and 'what's stopping you?' Sheesh! At least they don't bother me anymore. And I don't want you bothering me anymore, either, Declan Reed. I've got enough on my mind."
"Yes, yes, Pamela mentioned she had heard from your mother. You're onto yet another paramour. Louise," he mustered up as much sincerity as he could, "I only wish you happiness."
But she had already cut the connection. He was left with that same old sinking feeling, and he paused for maybe a minute to compose himself. "Best to leave that in the past, along with many other things," he whispered to himself. Then he adjusted a setting on his communicator in order to contact another relayer operator so that he could call another person, "Yes, I should like to speak with Thomas Digiorno-Madden. He is serving in Starfleet, under a Captain Robau."