Betrayed

Divorce

I had blood work and an ultrasound booked in October. My endocrinologist called to announce that everything looked good and that so far it appeared I would not be needing radiation, however he wanted to run more tests in 6 months to concretely rule out the possibility. It was just the news I needed as we headed into the cold winter months.

Sally left me in charge of her diner while she headed down south for the winter. The place felt like home and I looked forward to going to work each day. The staff was friendly and the customers were a delight. I liked to take time to talk with them when it wasn't too busy and soon enough I developed a regular crowd that would come in for late breakfast and insisted that I eat with them once their orders were ready.

Gabriel was still very busy during the off season with paperwork, meetings with accountants, recruiting staff, maintenance on his equipment and his impending divorce to Lisa.

Their divorce seemed to drag on and on. I enthusiastically volunteered to babysit Hendrix when I wasn't working so as to not be a part of the drama that was unfolding. I had only met Lisa a handful of times but each encounter gave her the opportunity to spew profanities at me and treat me like a child. Lisa wanted half of everything Gabriel owned, business, house, cottage and the new lot he had just purchased. No amount of reasoning with her made her understand what she was actually entitled to. Chrissy and Gabriel returned each evening tense and cranky.

"Fuck it! I don't want the goddamn house" Chrissy finally announced on their 4th day of negotiations. "Sell the place and give her what she wants! I don't even want to be involved anymore"

Gabriel let out a long breath filled with frustration. I kept quiet as the two of them bickered about Lisa's demands and how they were going to handle the sale of the house. The housing market was at an all time low and sales were rather sporadic. However Gabriel's house was well maintained and in a favorable neighborhood. The only problem was that we couldn't start building our house until spring and it would likely not be completed until the end of fall.

"Worse comes to worse we could rent a storage unit and just live at the cottage for a while" I suggested.

"Hmph." was Gabriel's answer. He ate quietly but his mind was working overtime, trying to come up with different scenarios on how to handle everything.

"Do you want to talk?" I offered. He looked at me with a deep scowl.

"I thought you wanted nothing to do with all of this," he said coldly.

"I don't want to meddle into your things Gabe, but I'm here if you want to talk. I don't mind helping you find solutions or just being here so you can vent. I just don't feel it's necessary for me to be there and hear all the insulting things Lisa has to say about you or me. I have nothing to do with this whole ordeal." I said. Gabriel took a deep breath.

"You're right, I'm sorry. I just want this all to be over with so we can go on with our lives and continue planning for the new house. Living at the cottage wouldn't be a bad idea, babe." He smiled at me though I could tell it was forced.

"Come with me" I ordered as he took a last bite of his supper. He willingly obliged and followed me to the bedroom. He laid face down on the bed and I climbed over him, sitting gently on his behind and kneading his back muscles.

"Fuck me Harp, that feels good" he groaned. He closed his eyes as I worked his tense muscles from his shoulders down to his calves. Before I was done he was snoring softly. I quietly left the room to clean up the kitchen.

"Harper? Dad?" I heard Chrissy calling.

"In the kitchen" I called back. Chrissy sat at the counter as I finished up the dishes.

"Where's my dad?" she asked.

"He's in bed" I said with a smile.

"At this time?" she said incredulous, checking the time on her phone.

"He's pretty exhausted," I commented.

"I am too... I forgot how draining my mother was" she admitted. I remained quiet, not wanting to speak ill of her mother, but I had certainly noticed how draining Lisa was. "I really do want the house though. I know it doesn't mean anything to my mom but I love this house" she said sadly.

"Did you tell them that?" I asked, watching her.

"That's all I've been saying for the last 4 days. I think my dad understands, but my mom won't hear any of it! I'm so frustrated!"

"It mustn't be easy for you to see them fight like this"

"Pffft, it's what I'm used to. Seeing you and him get along is weird though."

"Why?"

"For the longest time I didn't think it was possible for my dad to be in a meaningful relationship with a woman, but here you are, proving me wrong"

"Uhm, thanks?" I said, confused. "I've seen your dad with several women... I don't understand why you would think he can't have a relationship"

"That's the thing, he has been with several women, he doesn't have a relationship with them. It's all just for sex. You're the first person who has been with my dad since my mom. I'm really glad he has you. You're like the first person he loves who has returned his love tenfold. You've really been good for him, " she said.

I was over the moon that Chrissy had said that. I felt like I had finally won her over. But then I thought about what she had actually said and I felt really sad. How was I the only one that had shown Gabriel love? As soon as Chrissy left, I went to bed and held Gabriel, feeling my heart break for him.

"I love you so much, Harper," he said groggily, wrapping his arms around me. I kissed his head and squeezed him harder.

"I love you more than anything, Gabriel" I whispered back. He exhaled a contented sigh.

+++

An agreement between Lisa and Gabriel was finally reached. Gabriel agreed to sell the house and split the profit 25-75 with Lisa. She was no longer entitled to alimony, nor could she get anything else from him. His business, cottage and lot were all spared. A huge weight was lifted off his shoulders and he shifted back to being himself.