"This is a mediation. Mr. and Mrs. James Barrington the IV have come here today to discuss the issues of dissolution of their marriage. The parties have agreed to the topics of the meditation. Do we have any additions from either side?" the mediator said.
Monica sat covered in black doing her best to look like the wounded party, Jamie wanted to be anywhere but here. Monica said no, but Jamie spoke up.
"I would like her to drop Barrington from her name."
"Of course Mr. Barrington we will add that to the discussion. We shall proceed. The issues for discussion are the joint property and personal property of the home on 623 Smith Avenue and the vacation home in Massachusetts, the $2,306,456.84 in credit and other debt owed by both parties, and a requested settlement for Mrs. Barrington in the amount of 7.2 million dollars." Jamie head shot up.
"You want $7.2 million of my money. Are you crazy?"
"Mr. Barrington we will come to that matter. Why don't we start with the houses?" The mediator had been in enough of these situations to know that it was better to work your way up to the points of contention. He shuffled some papers and began.
"First, both parties have agreed to the sell the property on Smith Avenue. It has been appraised at $1.15 million. There are two mortgages on the house one in the amount of $450,000 and a second in the amount of $315,795. If sold, the proceeds of the sale will first be applied to the mortgages and the remainder will be split amongst the parties. Is that agreeable?"
"Of Course," Monica said.
"I would like the proceeds to be applied to the 2 million in credit card debt," Jamie said.
"You're going to quibble over a few 100 thousand dollars. I worked hard on that house I deserve my share."
"You spent your share when ran up 2 million in credit cards."
"It was your responsibility to take care of those things."
"And it was your responsibility to keep your legs shut so I guess we both failed."
"Let's please get back to the task at hand. Mrs. Barrington it's not a bad idea if the proceeds from the house be applied to the debt."
"Please! Jamie has more than enough money to cover the debt; he is just being cantankerous."
"Why don't we put the issue of proceeds aside for the moment. We have agreed to sell the property?"
"Yes," they said.
The mediator moved on having virtually the same back and forth over every single topic. In the end both properties were sold having the proceeds applied to the debt, Monica agreed to drop Barrington from her name for the low amount of 1.3 million dollars and Jamie agreed to pay the rest of the debt, purchase Monica an apartment and pay her 4.6 million dollars. The money barely touched his personal worth, but to get rid of Monica it was worth every penny.
They would sign the divorce papers at the end of the week.
XXXXXX
Jamie had been coming to this coffee shop for a few months now. The first time he needed a place to escape. He wondered in here looking for a place to clear the chaos of this brain; after having a rather rough session seeing Monica.
She was in rare form; using it as an opportunity to list all of his flaws. He still couldn't imagine he had been married to her for ten years and never realized the ugliness.
The first time here he did not notice that there were children until the end. Once he did, he ran from the shop resigned to the fact that there was no solace anywhere. A few days later, he challenged himself to come inside to see if Monica was actually right. If he couldn't actually stand to be in the same room with children maybe he shouldn't be a parent.
Today he signed the divorce papers so he came here to think about his future. He loved to see the kids with their parents. And silently longed to be sitting here enjoying a cup of coffee with a woman he loved more than anything. A woman who wanted exactly what he wanted. Not for the first time in his life he envied Abby her happiness.
He glanced up from his newspaper. At first glance he didn't notice her, then suddenly he did. She was perfect even in medical scrubs. She leaned over to talk to the little girl holding her hand. She turned to address the boys having a slap fight behind her and then addressed the barista. After she placed her order and received it from the counter she balanced pastries and two cups, looking around for a table in the crowded shop. Jamie took a chance.
"Dr. Griffiths. Dr. Griffiths," he said. She looked up at him a little confused. "Hi, Jamie Barrington. Abby's brother." He reached to shake her hand.
"Oh. Hey. How are you?" She raised her arm as if about to shake his hand but thought better of it. "I would shake your hand but mine are kinda full." She looked over her shoulder, "Luke, Dillon, quit playing."
"Yeah I noticed. I was just going to say if you wanted to join me, most of my table is free."
"Oh thanks that would be great." She smiled at him as she made her way to the table. "Come on Sugar," she addressed the little girl who was dutifully at her side. "Boys come sit down." They all sat down. "Mr. Barrington these are my children. Luke, Dillon and Brynn. Kids this is Mr. Barrington. Remember the man who gave me the video game for you." That launched the boys into a fifteen minute rendition of its pros and cons of the game.
"So, how are you enjoying being on the foundation's board Dr. Griffiths?" when he said that the boys picked up their handheld games and buried themselves in it.
"It's a lot of fun. More fun than I thought it would be. Its different from what I do every day, so, that's rewarding." They talked for about a half hour more before the kids started to get restless.
"Ummm... maybe we could do this again sometime, maybe dinner." Jamie was startled that he even asked.
"Sure anytime."
"Are you asking my Mom on a date?" Luke drawled a little protectively.
"Luke don't be silly."
"Actually I was." Luke stuck his tongue out at his mother.
"See I told you."
"Sorry. I didn't expect… I would love that. Let me give you my number." She grabbed the pin in her pocket and wrote her number on his paper. "See ya, Mr. Barrington." She left. When he looked down at his paper, it had her number and a note that said 'call me Millie.' He swooned a little bit.
XXXX
It had taken a few days, but Jamie had finally used the number. Now, he was standing at her front door waiting for 8pm before he knocked. Before he had a chance to, someone opened the door. He looked down to see Brynn.
"Hi, is your mommy home?" She nodded. "Can you tell her Jamie is here?" She ran into the house leaving the door open. He entered as Millicent came out of the kitchen. She smiled warmly at him. She looked good even in jeans and a sweater.
"Brynn, you know you aren't supposed to answer the door. Hey Jamie, how are you?"
"Good. You?" She took the flowers he held out to her.
"Not so good. I meant to call, but I am going to have to cancel." Before she could say more a man walked from the kitchen.
"Millie, I really don't have all day." Millicent rolled her eyes.
"Jamie this is David, my ex-husband. David was going to give me a minute to explain why I can't go out tonight."
"It's ok," Jamie said. "I understand." He backed away from the door. She reached out and grabbed his hand.
"No, wait." She turned to David. "If you don't mind I need a minute." She waited for David to leave. "Jamie, I'm really sorry. I meant to call, but Brynn has the chicken pox. They were all supposed to go to their father's, but his wife is afraid that the boys may be carriers, even though I have assured her they aren't. She doesn't want her kids to get them. But what would I know, I only have a medical degree. My parents are out of town and my sister is sick. So, my plans – our plans - are ruined. I am really really sorry."
"I understand. Maybe we can try again later."
"I certainly hope so. I am really really sorry." She looked rather disappointed. Jamie turned to leave then had an epiphany.
"We technically don't have to cancel." Millicent quirked an eyebrow. Jamie continued. "I could go grab a pizza and some movies and ice cream for sundaes."
"Have you had the chicken pox before?"
"Yes, when I was six. I gave them to Abby, she still won't let me live it down."
"You are willing to spend our first date with three children in my messy house."
"Yeah, sure."
"If this doesn't send you running for the hills nothing will. Ok fine. I'll go get rid of David. You should know this family eats about two large to two x-large pizzas in a sitting. I have teenage boys," she said apologetically. "And I like caramel and chocolate sauce on my sundae. Don't worry about the movie we'll let the kids fight over one of the ones I got yesterday." Jamie left and Millicent thought for the first time that he may be the perfect guy.
XXX
Abby sat on the couch in CJs office. This wasn't unusual, but CJ was concerned about the look on her face.
"What are you thinking about?" CJ asked.
"You pregnant."
"What? Why?"
"I think you would look beautiful pregnant."
"Neither of us will ever know, so it kinda doesn't matter."
"You don't want children? You're so good with Jac and Hayden."
"I love my nieces, but I'm not exactly in a position where I could have any."
"You could if you wanted to."
"If wanting made it so."
"Claudia be serious."
"I can't believe you're serious Abby. You act like we are in a place to start and raise a family."
"I didn't think about it like that."
"You wanted me to have a child and take care of it without you."
"I don't know what I thought. I was just thinking how you would look pregnant."
"Ok." Abby looked dejected and CJ felt bad.
XXXXX
Jamie returned to Millicent's with pizza and ice cream and all the fixings. As soon as he sat the pizzas down on the counter in the kitchen, the boys ravaged them.
For a second Jamie imagined what it would feel like if this was his family. He felt a wave a sadness that he stamped down immediately. He just wanted to enjoy himself. The boys won the movie war and they watched Transformers. About half way through the movie, Millicent leaned over and whispered in Jamie's ear, "How about coffee?"
She stood from the couch and he followed her into the kitchen.
"So, is this a typical Friday night for you?"
"What having coffee at 9pm?" She started the coffee maker.
"No, kids, pizza and movies."
"Mostly. Usually their friends are here, but they weren't supposed to here so its just us. You have any children?" Millicent knew he was divorced, but from the few conversations they had she hadn't heard anything about children.
"No."
"Didn't want any?"
"I haven't met the right woman yet." He smiled a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. She held his gaze, "It was a source of contention for Monica and me. I wanted them and apparently she didn't"
"Oh. I'm sorry." He shrugged. "Can I be upfront with you for a second?"
"Sure."
"I've only dated a little since I divorced. I chalked it up to being busy with work and kids, but most men I date are intimidated by my profession or my children. I just want you to know that they are both a part of who I am. And its not going to change."
"I didn't think they were. You're being a doctor is kinda sexy…" She cut him off.
"That's cause you haven't seen me on the other side of a 25 hour shift."
"Maybe not. But I suspect you are still sexy. Its also very refreshing. Its nice to be with someone that has their own life. And you're kids are great. I'm looking forward to getting to know them." She poured coffee. "So, are you from here?"
"No, Atlanta. I moved here at the end of my residency and then my entire family followed."
"You moved your entire family here?"
"Not exactly, my sister enrolled at the university so she could save on loans by living with David and me. She met her husband there; he was football player. So, she stayed. And once she had her first child my parents moved. When I divorced I bought this house, my parents bought the house at the end of the street. Lexy, my sister, lives two streets over."
"You're close."
"Yes, very. It's also helpful, cause the kids get off the bus and go to my parents. You know how it is?"
"No not really. Abby and I aren't super close. My dad and I both work are workaholics; so, there isn't a lot of family togetherness."
"I have more than enough for both of us." She kissed him. He kissed her back reveling in the softness of her lips. She pulled back. "Now that is a way to get the first kiss over with."
"It is." He smiled. "How about we eat some of that ice cream?"
"Sure ok." She pushed the kitchen door open. "Pause the movie we're going to have sundaes." The boys didn't have to be told twice.
The rest of the evening went well. Ending with another kiss at the door.
XXXXX
CJ sat on the bed with her work spread around her. She didn't look up when Brooke came in. CJ had been cranky at dinner and she retreated to her room for some solace.
"Are you still in a bad mood?" Brooke sitting on the bed.
"Kinda."
"Do we need to go to a movie so you can get some?"
CJ laughed. Leave it to Brooke to assume that everything comes down to sex. "Let it be Brooke."
"I'm just saying. Having three extra people around would cramp anybodies style especially when one of them is sharing your bed."
"I love having you guys here." CJ closed her eyes. "But I miss Abby. And earlier we had a thing. Usually we would hold each other and all of the stress disappears."
"I get that. I just can't go back there now. I'm sure we could check into a hotel or something."
"Whats going on at home?"
"I feel stagnant you know. I've been living off of Mom and Dad since Hayden was 2. I needed to be somewhere else to figure out what I want to do."
"Have you figured it out?"
"I'm leaning towards school. Maybe culinary school. I thought maybe I should do something noble, like help battered women. Or like what you do. But I think I would be miserable."
"Then go to culinary school. You do have Mom's kitchen goddess abilities. I make basics and they taste basic. You make basics and its freaking nirvana."
"I can't just go to school I have a daughter."
"Is that what she is?" CJ wiggled her eyebrows. "I can help you out. Maybe buy a house."
"CJ you can't do that."
"I can. Its not like I pay rent here. And you and Abby can fight over how to decorate it. If she's interested in decorating it that is."
"What was your thing about?"
"Nothing."
"Ok let's assume that I believed that. Why don't you tell me what happened?"
"We were in my office working. She wants me to be pregnant."
"She wants to have children?"
"I don't know. She said I would look beautiful pregnant."
"You don't want kids."
"Brooke I am sleeping with a married woman. I can't have children."
"Because she's married or because you don't want them?"
"I never thought… I stopped wanting them when I fell in love with Abby."
"I doubt that." CJ began to correct her. "Remember me, I was the girl in the bed next to you. You used to set your dolls up in little families with you as the mommy. Even when you told me you were in love with Cynthia Fields, you wanted to have children with her. I know you CJ. Why have you written children off?"
"I always imagined that I would meet someone and we would buy a house and have children. She already has two. And I want them with her. Its ridiculous. I want to go through the experience with her. But that's not my reality. So, I've stopped wanting it."
"CJ you could do it alone. I know its not ideal, but why deny yourself something you want?"
"Because I want our son to have her eyes and our daughter to have her smile. Is that ridiculous?"
"No but you need to talk to her."
"I know, but I want to bury myself in my work right now."
"OK, I'm going to push the girls over and hang out on the couch. I love you sis. Don't bury yourself very long."