the idea of holding this conversation in front of her is a bit like being stuck between a rock and a hard place.
“I want a divorce, Joe.”
Even though I’d expected that was the reason for the call, it still comes as a shock. In fact, it’s more like a punch to the gut. Even standing as I am, a bridge between one woman who is my past and the other who I hope will be my future, it’s tough to accept.
“You’ve met someone?” I ask for the want of something to say. Silence had thrummed along the line since Brook’s declaration.
“Yeah. He’s like you.”
I frown at that. “What do you mean?”
Brook laughs. The sound more nervous than amused. “I’m pregnant and he wants the baby to have his name.”
“Oh.” Hardly a world-class reply to news that my wife is expecting another man’s baby, but what else is there to say? “Congratulations.” As flat as it sounds, at least I’ve made the effort.
“Thanks. We’ve been separated for so long that I can’t see there being any problem.”
“No. I guess not.”
“Are you okay, Joe? I guess this is out of the blue but not altogether surprising, is it? We both had to meet people someday. Have you found anyone?” she asks on a rush.
“Yeah. I have. I’m with her at the minute actually.”
“Oh. Sorry. I suppose that’s why you wanted to call me back later. But it took me ages to build up the courage to call you. I don’t think I could have stood waiting much longer. I asked your mum for your number two weeks ago. I’ve been dawdling for that long.”
Thank you, mum for the warning. My arms flex with irritation, the muscles rippling at the news my mother could have warned me that a call was on its way.
“Don’t worry about it. She understands.” Clearing my throat, I mutter, “I’ll have my lawyer send you the papers.”
“No. It’s okay. I’ll have mine do it. He’s prepared; I’ve had this on standby for the last month. I’ll contact him tomorrow and he’ll have the papers couriered up to you.”
“Whatever way you want to play it, Brook.” Feeling uneasy and not sure why, I turn away from Juliet’s enquiring glances and stare into the flames. “Are you happy? Does he make you happy?”
“Yeah. He does, Joe. Thanks for asking. I hope she, whoever she is, makes you feel the same way. I’m glad we can be adult about this.”
“We’re being more adult about the divorce than we were about the marriage! Christ, what’s it been? Eight years since we last spoke?”
“About that,” she confirms. “It’s time to say goodbye to the past, I guess. Strange. I think we both used the marriage certificate as a form of protection. I think we both were burned badly by what happened and didn’t want it happening again. I’m sorry if that puts you in an uncomfortable position with your latest toty.”
Unable to help it, I turn around again and face Juliet. Catching her eyes, I hold them as I tell Brook, “She isn’t a toty. I guess if you hadn’t called me, I’d have been calling you soon. She’s marriage material.”
“That’s a pretty big declaration to make. Especially if she’s right there in front of you! Are congratulations in order for you too?”
“No. She’s a stubborn mare.” My lips twitch as the shock on Juliet’s face mutes down into outrage. “She also doesn’t appreciate my talking to you about her.” With a sigh, I return my attention to Brook. “Have a nice life, Brook. I’m happy for you. And I hope you stay healthy through this pregnancy. Send me word through mum if everything goes well.”
Sounding quite teary, she murmurs, “Thanks, Joe. I will. I always knew you were a gentleman. Even at fifteen. Bye.”
As she disconnects the call, I slowly lower my hand and lock the keypad before shoving the mobile into my pocket. Without waiting for an invitation, I sink down into the sofa and aren’t surprised as the cushions welcome me into their embrace. For a moment, we say nothing. The only
“I want a divorce, Joe.”
Even though I’d expected that was the reason for the call, it still comes as a shock. In fact, it’s more like a punch to the gut. Even standing as I am, a bridge between one woman who is my past and the other who I hope will be my future, it’s tough to accept.
“You’ve met someone?” I ask for the want of something to say. Silence had thrummed along the line since Brook’s declaration.
“Yeah. He’s like you.”
I frown at that. “What do you mean?”
Brook laughs. The sound more nervous than amused. “I’m pregnant and he wants the baby to have his name.”
“Oh.” Hardly a world-class reply to news that my wife is expecting another man’s baby, but what else is there to say? “Congratulations.” As flat as it sounds, at least I’ve made the effort.
“Thanks. We’ve been separated for so long that I can’t see there being any problem.”
“No. I guess not.”
“Are you okay, Joe? I guess this is out of the blue but not altogether surprising, is it? We both had to meet people someday. Have you found anyone?” she asks on a rush.
“Yeah. I have. I’m with her at the minute actually.”
“Oh. Sorry. I suppose that’s why you wanted to call me back later. But it took me ages to build up the courage to call you. I don’t think I could have stood waiting much longer. I asked your mum for your number two weeks ago. I’ve been dawdling for that long.”
Thank you, mum for the warning. My arms flex with irritation, the muscles rippling at the news my mother could have warned me that a call was on its way.
“Don’t worry about it. She understands.” Clearing my throat, I mutter, “I’ll have my lawyer send you the papers.”
“No. It’s okay. I’ll have mine do it. He’s prepared; I’ve had this on standby for the last month. I’ll contact him tomorrow and he’ll have the papers couriered up to you.”
“Whatever way you want to play it, Brook.” Feeling uneasy and not sure why, I turn away from Juliet’s enquiring glances and stare into the flames. “Are you happy? Does he make you happy?”
“Yeah. He does, Joe. Thanks for asking. I hope she, whoever she is, makes you feel the same way. I’m glad we can be adult about this.”
“We’re being more adult about the divorce than we were about the marriage! Christ, what’s it been? Eight years since we last spoke?”
“About that,” she confirms. “It’s time to say goodbye to the past, I guess. Strange. I think we both used the marriage certificate as a form of protection. I think we both were burned badly by what happened and didn’t want it happening again. I’m sorry if that puts you in an uncomfortable position with your latest toty.”
Unable to help it, I turn around again and face Juliet. Catching her eyes, I hold them as I tell Brook, “She isn’t a toty. I guess if you hadn’t called me, I’d have been calling you soon. She’s marriage material.”
“That’s a pretty big declaration to make. Especially if she’s right there in front of you! Are congratulations in order for you too?”
“No. She’s a stubborn mare.” My lips twitch as the shock on Juliet’s face mutes down into outrage. “She also doesn’t appreciate my talking to you about her.” With a sigh, I return my attention to Brook. “Have a nice life, Brook. I’m happy for you. And I hope you stay healthy through this pregnancy. Send me word through mum if everything goes well.”
Sounding quite teary, she murmurs, “Thanks, Joe. I will. I always knew you were a gentleman. Even at fifteen. Bye.”
As she disconnects the call, I slowly lower my hand and lock the keypad before shoving the mobile into my pocket. Without waiting for an invitation, I sink down into the sofa and aren’t surprised as the cushions welcome me into their embrace. For a moment, we say nothing. The only
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