Chapter Eight: Three Years, Three Months
"Tony... there's something I need to tell you."
Tony sat up straight, his attention caught by the reluctant expression on Michelle's face. "What? What is it?"
She looked down and picked at her fingernails. "At work, there's this... this guy. Matt. The other day he asked me out to dinner." She paused and made herself look at him. "I said yes."
Tony inclined his head. He had been expecting something like this for a long time now, but he still felt the muscles in his stomach tense as he looked into her eyes. "Alright."
Michelle opened and closed her mouth as she averted her eyes, looking up at the ceiling, at the guard in the corner, anywhere but at Tony. "Tony, I--"
"The divorce papers are all ready to be filed," he interrupted her.
She shook her head rapidly. "No! It's not-- I don't want..." She sighed and bowed her head. "Not yet," she admitted.
They regarded each other silently for a moment, neither really wanting to admit to the other or themselves what that not yet implied.
"Alright," said Tony finally.
Michelle exhaled sharply. "Thank you."
They managed a smile.