Legal Advice

Beth and Benny sit in the wood-panelled waiting room of 'Johnson and Smith' lawyers in silence. Benny has been quiet all morning. He made them eggs and toast for breakfast and then he sat on the sofa seemingly lost in thought until Beth told him they had to go.

Now Benny is still quiet.

It's not that Beth minds Benny's silences normally. There have been many comfortable silences between them over the years, but his silences this morning feel heavier, like they are charged with static.

Or maybe it's just her stupid memories going to her head again. It's ridiculous that she is still so affected by him even after all these years.

Benny reaches to check his keys are still in his pocket and their arms brush. Beth fixes her gaze firmly on the name on Jolene's office door. Her body is betraying her. Has been betraying her for hours.

But Benny doesn't know and that's all that matters.

She doesn't have to do anything about ghost sensations from times past. The fact that they exist doesn't change anything. She has a plan and she will stick to the plan.

And if she has to read and reread the name plaque on Jolene's door to keep herself focused, so be it.

After a few minutes, the door opens and Beth breathes a heavy sigh. Benny glances at her as Jolene's deep brown face peers out at them. She clocks Beth with a smile, then frowns when she sees Benny.

Beth once showed Jolene a photo of Benny in one of the chess magazines when Jolene was trying to ply information about their relationship out of Beth. That conversation was almost five years ago now, but from the questioning look Jolene is giving her, Beth thinks maybe Jolene hasn't forgotten.

Beth rises stiffly to her feet, careful not to brush arms with Benny again.

"Jolene, thank you for scheduling me in at such short notice," she says. "I really appreciate you finding the time."

Jolene smooths the lapel of her grey pin-stripe blazer. "Well, we orphans have to stick together," she says and then she casts an extremely pointed look at Benny as though she is concerned her previous questioning look was lost on Beth. Benny just smiles, tipping his hat.

Beth grimaces.

"I would have given more notice," says Beth. "But…" I didn't know how to tell you. I still don't really.

Though Beth is here now so she's going to have to figure out the words somehow. And this is easier than asking Benny to marry her.

Jolene waves a hand like she doesn't care that Beth called her at such short notice, then gestures for them to follow her in. She's walking more stiffly than normal and Beth can't tell if it's about Benny's presence or not.

Jolene takes a seat behind her desk and Beth and Benny sit down in the comfy green armchairs on the other side. The office is small, but not so small that Beth's knees bump into Benny's as they sit down.

A small relief.

Jolene smooths the lapel of her blazer again.

"So what can I do for you today?" she says. She eyes Benny. "Both of you."

"Sorry, we haven't been properly introduced," says Benny. He leans forward, holding out a beringed hand. "Benny Watts. I'm a friend of Beth's."

"I know who you are Mr Watts," says Jolene and Benny's face brightens until he registers that Jolene is giving him a very appraising look, not one of admiration.

He glances at Beth.

"And you are?" he says cautiously.

"Jolene DeWitt," says Jolene. "Also a friend of Beth's. Or you may call me a sister."

Beth nods.

She needs to tell Jolene her plan. She just doesn't want her to get the wrong impression. They've had long conversations about Benny. At least a few times when Beth was drunk, she's sure she told Jolene way more than would be considered appropriate.

And maybe she cried a bit.

She has never cried over Benny sober.

But she thinks maybe she cried over him when she was drunk. She doesn't like to expend too much energy remembering.

And she hasn't been drunk for a long time now.

"So what's going on Beth?" says Jolene.

Beth winces. "I'm planning to adopt a child," she says.

Jolene's eyebrows shoot up and Beth hopes she's not going to have to feel awkward and sweaty every time she tells someone this.

"Fuck, Beth," says Jolene and then quickly: "Excuse my language," to Benny like she'd forgotten he was there for a moment.

Benny shrugs. "No, that more or less sums up my reaction too," he says.

Jolene eyes him again and Benny falls silent.

"Why though, Beth?" says Jolene.

Beth shrugs. She isn't sure she can fully articulate it all now. Perhaps she will tell Jolene more when Benny is not here.

"Anyway, as you probably already know, I can't adopt a child without a husband."

Jolene's eyes widen and she looks at Benny again like she fully understands now why Beth has brought him here.

"Anyway, we need a marriage licence," says Beth.

Jolene twists the ring on her finger, then glances between them making Beth's stomach swirl. She gets to her feet. "Beth, can I have a word with you in the corridor?" she says. "Alone."

Benny frowns softly. Beth waves a hand. "Of course," she says.

As Jolene hooks her arm through Beth's, leading her out into the waiting room, the swirling in Beth's stomach gets worse. She won't say no. At least, Beth hopes she won't say no. They are friends and sisters. Jolene isn't going to tell her what to do, though she might express her thoughts on it.

As soon as they get out into the corridor, Jolene closes the door behind them and crosses her arms over her chest.

For a long moment, they just stare at each other until Beth can stand it no longer.

"What?" she says.

"Are you out of your mind?" says Jolene. "You asked your ex to marry you so you could adopt a child?"

Beth grimaces. "Yes, what's the problem?"

"What's the problem?" says Jolene. "Oh my god, Beth."

"I couldn't think of anyone else," says Beth. "And I thought I could at least bribe Benny to do what I wanted."

Jolene shakes her head, twisting the ring on her index finger. "Beth, come on girl."

"What?" says Beth again, though she knows what. Can tell from the half-exasperated, half-pitying expression on Jolene's face.

"What's his financial situation like? Didn't you say he was a gambler?"

"I think he's doing better now," said Beth. "Anyway, it doesn't matter, we're getting divorced immediately afterwards."

Jolene pinches the bridge of her nose. "Beth, I can see what you think you are doing, but marriage is no small thing. It's an institution. You get tied into it and it's not always easy to get out."

Beth scrutinises Jolene's face. Her jaw is tight. She twists her wedding ring again, then stuffs her hand in her trouser pocket when she notices Beth staring.

"Is Warren cheating again?" asks Beth.

Jolene shrugs, but it is wooden, her shoulders too tight. "You know I married him for the money and the nice house," she says.

Beth bites her lip.

Sometimes she wonders if there is always something transactional about relationships when you come from nothing. You have to convince yourself you didn't love them that much and you still got something tangible out of it when it all falls apart. After all, Jolene still has access to lots of money and a big house. And Beth got to keep all the chess training from Benny.

"Anyway, this is not about me," says Jolene. "This is about you and the fact that you've brought your ex to my office because you want to marry him."

"I don't want to marry him in earnest," says Beth.

"Does he want to marry you?" says Jolene.

Beth blinks at her. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, if you sign the marriage document, you are going to have a hell of a time getting out of it if he doesn't co-operate."

Beth frowns.

She hadn't even thought about that. The whole business had all seemed pretty clear cut to her. She can't imagine Benny actually wants to stay married. It's not like he's ever proposed to anyone as far as she knows. And there are no significant relationships she's heard of in the last six years.

"I don't think Benny wants to be married," says Beth.

Jolene purses her lips. "I don't like it," she says. "And that's not to mention that the whole thing is going to look super suspicious legally if anyone looks into it. You get married, adopt a child, then get divorced immediately. It doesn't look good."

Beth bristles.

"I appreciate your concern, Jolene," says Beth. "I really do, but I've got this. I know Benny."

Jolene starts to twist her wedding ring, then scowls and takes it off, sliding it into her pocket. "Well, I thought I knew Warren," she says. "And look how that's turned out."

"I'm not in love with Benny," says Beth. "This is not the same situation."

Jolene hmms non-commitally.

"The kid needs to get out of that home," says Beth. "As soon as possible — you know what it's like. And I can't help her without a husband. Please."

Jolene stares down at her empty ring finger. This is not the same situation at all, though a memory flickers annoyingly in the back of Beth's mind. A conversation between her and Jolene. The night before the wedding. Maybe I'm only marrying him for the money anyway. So it won't matter if it all goes to shit, you know.

"Fine," says Jolene. "But he's signing a pre-nup. And I'm getting copies of his bank and financial records."

"I was going to suggest a pre-nup," says Beth, though she can't see Benny easily agreeing to letting Jolene look through his financial records.

Beth might actually have to bribe him this time.

At that moment, a knock comes from inside Jolene's office and Beth and Jolene jump.

"Sorry," says Benny, sticking his head out. "Are you going to be much longer out here?"

There's something slightly off about his expression. It's wooden again.

"That depends," says Jolene.

"On what?" says Benny.

"You're willingness to sign a pre-nup and hand over all your financial records."

Benny winces. "How many years of financial records?" he asks.

"As many as the bank will give you," says Jolene.

Benny looks like he's in pain. Beth isn't sure she wants to know what his financial records look like going back ten years or more. "And a pre-nup?" he says.

"And a pre-nup," says Jolene.

"Could I just sign the pre-nup?" says Benny.

Jolene shakes her head. Benny grimaces.

"I'm not trying to take Beth for her money, if that's what you think," says Benny. "She was the one who asked to marry me. She offered me a thousand dollars too, but I turned it down."

Jolene gets a sharp look in her eye, then she gestures us all back into her office. "In that case, you won't mind signing a pre-nup and putting all your cards on the table."

Benny looks to Beth, but she just shrugs. His financial affairs don't really matter. She's not actually going to be staying married to him.

"Alright fine," says Benny. "But don't judge about the bank statements. Things weren't so great a few years ago."

Jolene says nothing.

"I'll get them over as soon as I can," sighs Benny.

Also, I want to say thank you to everyone favouritng, following and reviewing this fic! I know I'm not the most consistent updater, but I always try to get the next chapter out whenever I can and I am aiming for every 1-2 months per update.