Tom was sitting with his lawyer at the Sweet Valley Courthouse finalizing his papers for the divorce. Isabella was there with her lawyer staring straight ahead. Neither saw their marriage heading down this path, but it was for the best. Needless to say, Tom was glad it was over. The judge gave her final ruling.
Tom was going to keep the house, including half their shared assets. Their savings was split fairly, with Isabella keeping their winter cabin in Lake Tahoe, including the land, and their shared stocks. Tom was required to pay his ex wife alimony, thankfully not as much as her lawyer demanded, but enough to keep Isabella in the lifestyle she was accustomed to.
When the judge banged her gavel and dismissed the court, both Tom and Isabella shook hands.
Tom didn't want a drink, but his stressed out brain was demanding it. He went to the bar across the street and ordered a scotch neat. After downing it, he asked for another. He took out his phone and texted Danny. Danny wrote back and asked Tom if he was okay. Tom said he was just tired. Danny wrote back and told Tom that it was okay if he wanted to talk. Tom thanked him and said maybe later. They said their goodbyes. After downing his drink, he went home.
Tom knew he would have to sell it. No way he could afford the mortgage on his own, especially with his alimony payments. Even if he wanted to keep it, the memories here was too painful. Isabella's lawyer would demand half of the sale, which Tom was okay with, even with the judge's ruling, this was Isabella's home too.
He didn't want a drink, he already had his liquor. But he needed to distract his mind. He looked around his living room. A PlayStation. He never played his system in months, his marriage came first. He put in a disk. Madden Football always cheered him up. It wasn't the same, but playing football always reminded him of the good old days.
He played for over an hour till his doorbell rang. Tom paused the game. He was slightly annoyed, his character, T Watts was about to win the championship game. When he answered it he was surprised to see his ex.
"Isabella! Hi. What's going on?" Tom was confused. Why was his ex here? They just got divorced.
"Tom. I need to talk to you. It's about Clay DiPalma. He just got released on parole. Tom. I think I'm being followed."