SUGAR TRAP

Sour And Sore

I went to work early on Monday to try to get ahead of the game. Around nine o'clock I called the office of my attorney to try to make an appointment. When the secretary asked about the purpose of the meeting, I just told her I needed some information from him about company registration because I didn't want to sell my story out to the secretary, When she came back on the line, she told me he could see me right after lunch.

"Is everything OK, May?" Wills asked me "you said you want registration information but your face says something else, You or bill aren't ill, are you?"

"Thanks for your concern, Wills, but it's not quite the situation," I told him. Then I handed him the papers that Billy had given me on Saturday. As he read them, he "tsk-tsk" to himself. When he had finished, he looked up at me.

"I'm sorry to learn of this, May, Do you think there's any chance of reconciliation?"

"I don't think so. he's already moved out of our house and moved in with his new girlfriend to their new apartment and he told me that they plan to get married as soon as our divorce is final."

He shook his head. "I would never have expected this. You two seemed like the perfect couple."

Then his expression changed and his voice took on a professional tone. "Given those circumstances, as your legal advisor, my advice to you is to sign this agreement immediately."

" 5 years, gone?" I said bitterly.

He shook his head patiently. "In matters like this, May, you have to stop thinking with your heart and start thinking with your head. My take on this is that Billy has made you a very generous offer, much better than you'd get in court if you decide to fight over it. Part of his motivation may be guilt, but I'd be willing to bet that the main reason is to give you an incentive to agree quickly so he can marry his new Woman. While it may feel like you're giving in to him now, the truth is that if your marriage is over, this is the best deal you can hope to get."

I knew the barrister was right. I didn't even see myself going back to Billy after the humiliation he had put me through but it still felt like he and Emily fooled me completely, they had beaten me in a game I didn't choose to play.

Will's tone became sympathetic once again. "Listen, May, I know the attorney that Billy used. If you sign fast enough, we can get this Settlement Agreement filed with the court very quickly. That will pretty well lock in what he's proposed. Then, if he begins to have 'buyer's remorse' and wants to come back -- and if you're willing to take him back -- you still have thirty days to drop the divorce." As smooth as it sounded,

I knew that wasn't going to happen. "Can I borrow your pen?" I asked, I signed the papers without thinking twice "I applaud your maturity May, most men won't even handle this the way you have" he said

When I got back to the office, I headed straight for Human Resources. I had lots of changes to make in my health insurance, my pension plan and numerous other benefits that involved a spouse since I made the larger part of the money. I also went to the bank and made quick changes, As I was signing them I glanced up to see the customer service representative who was helping me staring at me. "I guess I won't have to announce him now," I thought wryly.

On the way home that evening, I stopped at a neighbourhood restaurant and picked up some dinner to go. But when I got home, I found that Billy had been there during the day and packed up everything he wanted. Of course, all of his fitness stuff was gone, but I was surprised to find some clothing left behind. However, when I examined them more closely I realized that they were things he didn't wear anymore. "well, I could give them out to charity" I thought morosely.