It was July. Desiree filed for divorce. The attempted murder charges didn't stick. It was her word against Eli's. A judge granted her protective order. Eli wasn't allowed to contact or be within a thousand yards of Desiree or Hallie. She filed her sole custody of Hallie. She joined a support group for abused women. Almost every woman in the group said that their husband tried to kidnap their children. That was Desiree's greatest fear. She and John talked daily and were getting very close. It was the morning. Andrea was visiting. Hallie came into the room.
"Mommy when Ohn coming." She asked.
"Not till the afternoon."
"Ok." She went back to her toys.
"John's coming over?"
"Yeah he's in town for one of the late night shows." "He asked if he could come over, so I invited him over for lunch." "He loves to see Hallie every chance he gets."
She smiled. "Who are you kidding?" "He's crazy about you."
"He is not."
"He is to." "You like him to."
"He's my friend."
"Uh-huh." She said not believing her. "Go for it." "John's great."
Later that afternoon at around two the doorbell rang. Desiree answered it. It was John.
"Hi." She said.
"Hi." He went inside. "You look nice."
"Thanks."
"Hi Ohn." Hallie said coming up to him.
"Hi." "You're getting so big." "How old are you five, six."
"Ohn silly, I two half."
"Oh."
"I ordered .Subway for lunch." Desiree said.
"Good."
After lunch Desiree and John were playing with Hallie in the living room.
"Here mommy." Hallie said handing Desiree the picture she just colored.
"This is beautiful." Desiree said.
"What Ohn color?"
"I colored a princess." John said. "See?" He showed to her.
"That pretty."
"How are things moving along?" John asked Desiree.
"Good." She said. "I have a meeting with my lawyer next week."
About an hour later John was leaving.
"Ohn no go." Hallie said.
"I'm sorry I have to go." "I'll come back soon, I promise ok?"
"Ok." She hugged him. "Bye."
"Bye." He stood up. "Bye Desiree."
"Bye John." Desiree said.
Later that night Desiree was putting Hallie to bed.
"Did you have fun today?" Desiree asked.
"Yeah." "I like see Ohn."
"You like him huh?"
"Yeah."
"Mommy does to." She kissed her cheek. "I love you."
"Love you." "Night night."
"Night night."