Mary and Landon

After speaking to Penelope, Mary poured herself one more glass of whiskey. She drunk it and starting laughing at the sense of irony that was in that moment. She was getting drunk with the whiskey Josie and Penelope got them for the wedding anniversary. She picked up her phone and called her sister. Mary and Eve were not one of those sisters who talked all the time and visited each other often, but they shared deep love and bond. Eve was widow and she and her husband had no kids, so she lived for Mary's boys. Sometimes Mary wondered if boys would be happier with her as their mother. Eve was born to be a mom and to care for others. She was a nurse and she loved her job. Her husband died less than a year ago from cancer that really devastated him. It was slow, painful and hard on both of them. Eve really loved him and Mary was sure she would take it hard after he dies. To Mary's surprise, Eve found reason and strength to live in her boys and taking care of them. When Eve saw her sister's name on the phone screen, she was surprised.

''Hello, sister dearest… How are you?''

''Fucked up!''

''You sound drunk…''

''I am…not sober….but also not drunk…''

''What happened? Hard case?''

''No, Landon is having an affair…the woman is pregnant.''

''What?''

''Yes, he is having an affair with our friend Josie…''

''Josie Park?''

''Yes, that one…''

''Wasn't se….?''

''Apparently she has a love for dick too… My husband's dick to be precise…''

Eve was still processing information about the affair to have any other reaction.

''Did he tell you?''

''No, I found out by accident. Her sister showed up at my door with the divorce papers Penelope served her. So, she wanted me to check them up to see if she is trying to screw Josie out of something. From what I saw, Penelope made pretty good settlement for Josie and the kids and when I was putting the papers back into the envelope, I found something more… Lots of pictures of Josie and Landon…kissing, having sex…you can imagine…''

''I can imagine, but can't believe. Josie and Penelope were always so in love…''

''Well, it didn't stop Josie from sleeping with Landon and getting knocked up!''

''What will you do?''

''I will kill the bastard!''

''I am pretty sure it's a bad idea!''

''I don't care… I really want to kill him… Hell, maybe I can even get Penelope to defend me.''

''I am guessing she would do it pro bono. ''

''You bet she would! She is also not happy about it.''

''What do you need me to do?''

''Can you come here and pick up the kids for a few days. I know you are on your vacation days.''

''Sure, I can do it.''

''See you soon…''

Mary went to the kids' room and packed their bags. She needed them out of the house until she figures out what to do and she definitely didn't want them in the house when she was screaming at Landon.

Landon and the kids arrived half an hour later. Just as they were entering the house, Eve was behind them. She just took the bags and told kids to follow her. Landon wanted to say something, but Mary showed up and by her face, he was sure something happened. She was swollen from crying and her eyes were red and there was anger he has never seen before. Eve got the kids in her car and drove away.

Mary didn't say a word. She just walked back to the living room and poured one more drink. Landon followed her and took a seat on the chair across from her.

''What is going on?''

''I guess congratulations are in order since you are going to be father again…''

He looked at the half empty bottle of whiskey an then at her.

''Are you sure that you should be drinking since you are pregnant?''

''No, I am fine… Josie Park is the pregnant one. I can do whatever I want…''

And then he realized what happened.

''How did you…?''

''Find out? Well, that is an interesting story.''

''Penelope told you.''

''No, Lizzie, by accident…''

She told him what happened and he turned pail when she mentioned pictures and all the evidence from the envelope.

''How did she get all that?''

''Penelope works for one of the best law offices in the country. She can get anything.''

''Isn't that illegal?''

''You really want to talk about legality and moral now?''

''I am sorry…''

''What for? Doing it or being caught?''

Landon was silent.

''You know, I could have sworn that you would never do something like that to me… Not after what happened with your parents and the hell of the marriage my parents had. I was always sure we would beat the odds of the families and have good life together.''

''Marry… I am sorry.''

''No, you are not. If you were really sory, you would have ended it.''

''We did end it.''

''When? When she realized Penelope would leave? No, you didn't end it… Josie did because she didn't want to lose Penelope… What actually happened because Penelope found out you went to the doctor's office with Josie…and you kissed. That is why she served Josie with papers… And that is what will happen to you… You will pack your bag and leave my house… I don't care where you would go, but let me warn you that you can't go to Josie's. If you go to her house, she loses all the money from Penelope…So, think twice about going there.''

''And where do you suggest I go?''

''I don't know… And don't care anymore… I am done with you.''

''You can't just kick me out.''

''I can't? This is my hose… Place I inherited from my grandparents. You didn't pay or invest anything in it. So, I can kick you out as a dog that you are Landon Kirby. Go upstairs and pack your things and I don't want to see you ever again.''

''What about the kids?''

''It is a fact you are their father… You can see them whenever you want… Just make sure to be out of the house before I come back. When you find a decent place to live, they can stay with you for weekends or school nights if it's needed. But you and I…we are done.''

Landon went upstairs like dog with his tail between his legs and packed what he needed for first few days out of the house. When he got downstairs, Mary wasn't in the living room. He got out of the house and into his car. He took the phone out and called Josie. She didn't answer. She was sure what that was all about so she was not in a mood to talk about divorce and things being out in the open. One of his friends said he could crash at his place for couple of days and Landon went to his house. He had no idea what happened with Mary, but since she kicked him out, he was sure it was something big.

Penelope and Elizabeth

Penelope was in her bed reading last draft of Elizabeth's opening statement when the door opened and Elizabeth got in.

''I was just finishing this.''

''What do you think?''

''I think it's sneaky at some moments… But you didn't put everything in there…''

''I wanted to keep the good stuff if we went to trail. Prosecutor doesn't have to know what we have here.''

''Oh, ok… I guess that makes sense.''

Elizabeth noticed that there was something more going on with Penelope.

''Is everything ok?''

''Josie got the papers… Now some more people know about the affair, including Landon's wife.''

''That is a mess… But did they finally tell her?''

''No, she saw the photos you included in the divorce.''

''Ooops…''

''Yes, something like that.''

Penelope just looked at Elizabeth.

''Why did you put them there?''

''Because she needs to know she is not fooling you… And you need to know that you put your trust into wrong person. Maybe she was end all and be all when you started your relationship, but she stopped being all that at some point. You need to try to move on and live. New people, new experiences…everything you never felt or saw before. I think it's nice and romantic to spend your entire life with one person, but I also think it's unrealistic.''

''I wanted to…''

''I know… We all want that when we get married. Ilusions of the youth are dangerous thing… And even more dangerous in your case. You came from broken home and all you wanted was a family that stays together and has love and all it can. You tried to provide it to your kids and you are an amazing mother Penelope…''

''But I failed as a wife.''

''That is debatable… You both did things that brought the end of your marriage. She cheated and talked about future with someone else, but you were the one to send the papers in the end. Now, it's time to pick yourself up and move on.''

''I still am not sure if the divorce was a right thing to do.''

'' I made very generous settlement because I know you still love her and when your head cools, you really don't want to hurt her and harm your kids in the process… So, I made generous settlement and when you get my money, that payment would be peanuts to you.''

''I still can't believe we are getting a divorce.''

''I know love, but it will be ok… As I said, if it's meant to be, you will be together again.''

''I can't think about it. If I do, I will never even try to move on.''

''I know.''

Penelope took the opening statement again and went back to the parts she highlighted. She gave Elizabeth some suggestions what she would change and Elizabeth took into consideration what she said.

''Your roommate is planning to order dinner. Maybe you should get out of bed and join her.''

''I don't feel like it.''

''Penelope…''

''I know… But I think I need time to mourn seventeen years of my life and love I believed would never end.''

Elizabeth went to the door and looked back at Penelope.

''See you tomorrow in the lobby… Eight?''

''Eight…''

She left the room and Penelope fell back to her pillows. She looked at her hand and debated if she should take off her wedding ring. She knew there was no point in having it on, but that ring became part of her. In all the years she and Josie were married, she took it off once or twice… She took it off, but suddenly it felt wrong. She felt naked without her ring. She was tempted to put it back, but she knew it would be wrong. She put the ring in the small pouch she had her jewelry in. She found another ring in there and she put it on. It was something she bought herself and she was proud of it. It was her first expensive purchase. She put it on her ring finger and she felt a bit less naked than just a minute before. She knew it was not her wedding ring, but it felt less weird than it felt without the wedding band.

At six in the morning she was up and getting ready for the day in court. She put on gray suit and black shirt with bow. She put her hair up and she got her pearl earrings on. She wanted to look as elegant as possible. At two minutes to eight she was in the hotel lobby waiting for Elizabeth. She showed up a moment later and gave Penelope and encouraging smile.

''Let's do it!''

Penelope smiled back and followed Elizabeth to the car that was waiting for them to take them to court.