Chapter Seven: One Year, Two Months
"Listen, Michelle... I really think we should get a divorce."
Michelle's eyes widened. "What?"
"We should get divorced. You shouldn't be tied to me, you should be free to go out and find someone better... someone who could be a proper father to Zoe."
"There is no one better, Tony," Michelle said stubbornly. "And Zoe already has a father."
"It's not the same, Michelle. And you... There is nothing you need that I could possibly give you."
"I need you, Tony, even if it is just once a month with a half foot of glass between us. I don't need -- or want -- anyone else."
"For now, maybe, but--"
"Ever, Tony. We've already had this discussion."
Tony averted his eyes and sighed. He knew that Michelle believed what she was saying, but he also knew that it was extremely likely that, at some point or another, she would change her mind. Twenty years was a long time, as he had forced himself to accept.
"Alright," he said. "But if you ever change your mind... I'll understand."
"I won't change my mind," she answered vehemently.
He looked at her and nodded. "Okay."
She returned his nod and their conversation went back to more trivial things.