Chapter Ten: Together
Lee and I didn't talk or see one another for an entire month. He came and gone from the apartment to move his things out. He even took Winston. He always did his moving. I didn't care, I was angry at him. I didn't want to see him or talk to him anyway.
By the time the first month passed, the only thing I missed was the dog. I got used to having the bed to myself. I reveled in my old routine being broken. I got used to going to bed and waking up alone. I got used to taking my time in the bathroom because I had no one to get in after me. I got used to feeding just Onna. I got used to having breakfast alone. I got used to not having a goodbye kiss before work.
At work, I was mostly a social pariah. Most of my coworkers avoided me. Karah and Lucy were true friends. They stuck by my side.
Tommy was also there for me. He had taken to having dinner with me every night. He never missed a night. Onna had even gotten used to him being there. He would always stay for two hours after dinner to either talk or watch TV.
The second month came and I began to feel a little less angry and soon the depression over my ruined marriage set in. One night, I found myself crying as soon as Tommy had gone home. I cuddled with Onna that night.
The third month came and Lee finally contacted me. He said we had to talk and I agreed with him. We met in a public place, a restaurant we used to go to when we went out on dates.
Lee looked like he hadn't slept in weeks. His face sported a heavy stubble. His hair was a bit disheveled. He was a mess.
As for me, I dressed to impress. I wore a light pink and gray horizontal striped dress that clung to my curves. My hair and makeup were done as perfectly as I could manage. When Lee saw me, he was shocked.
"You look beautiful," he gasped out.
"Thank you," I said with a straight face. I took the seat across from him.
"I have something to tell you," Lee said as soon as I settled.
"What is it?" I asked. I kept my voice calm and emotionless.
"Rachel is pregnant," he answered.
So, Rachel was the name of the woman who ruined my marriage. She had my husband and now she was going to have the baby that should have been mine.
"Oh," I said.
"I want to be there for her and the baby," Lee said cautiously.
Anger rose inside of me.
"You were supposed to be there for me," I nearly yelled. I didn't want to draw too much attention to us. "Let me guess, you want a divorce?"
"Yes," Lee answered. "We want to be a family."
I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat.
"Of course you do," I said bitingly. "Don't worry I will divorce you so you can play happy family."
Lee nodded pathetically.
"I won't ask for alimony," I said. "That is all I will do for you."
Another lame nod.
"I'm leaving," I said rising. "Don't expect to see me again."
I left him alone in the restaurant.
Outside, I got in my car and broke down. I slammed my fist against my steering wheel. I cried out and allowed my tears to fall. I raged for maybe twenty minutes before I left the parking lot.
I went straight to a law office and found a divorce lawyer. With red eyes and a tear stained face, I told my story. By the end of the month, Lee and I were legally separated.
Because of my filing for divorce, Tommy and I decided to slow things down. We still spent time together but never alone. My lawyer had advised me not to make any romantic attachments until after the divorce was final. She told me that she didn't want to give Lee's lawyer anything to make things more complicated.
When the three month separation period was over, I filed for divorce. I asked for the apartment and Onna. Lee readily agreed and signed the papers. It took another month before the divorce was legal. I was free from Lee and he was free from me.
I cried in Tommy's arms after I got the confirmation. He stayed with me the entire weekend. We didn't have sex. Tommy just wanted to show his support and comfort me.
END OF CH. 10